Nichols, N.Y. -- Scott Woogen's Six Bax ($10.80) sustained
another class hike successfully, as he rose to defeat six Open foes in Saturday
(June 18) evening's $11,000 featured trotting event at Tioga Downs.
Jim Taggart, Jr. sprinted off early with the 7-year-old
Kadabra gelding, and the pair made all the pace through splits of :28.1, :57,
and 1:25.1. Through the third quarter, Six Bax faced mild but steady first-over
pressure from 8-5 favorite Oh No Three O (Jeff Long), but he edged clear off
the far turn to a two-length lead. Six Bax ultimately won by 1-3/4 lengths with
a fair bit in reserve over pocket rival Write That Down (MIke Merton), while Oh
No Three O faded to third.
The 1:54.2 win for Six Bax was his fastest of the season,
and his third consecutive triumph. Gary Messenger trains the 24-time winner.
In the first round of the Tioga Summer Claiming Series,
Normandy Invasion ($5.90, Fern Paquet, Jr.) and Race Me Rocky ($46.20, Jim
Meittinis) both lasted on the lead to capture their respective $7,500
divisions.
Scott Coulter and Mike Simons led all drivers with two wins
apiece on the 10-race card, while Tony Dinges and Marc Major recorded training
doubles.
As the 50¢ Pick 5 was not hit, $129.16 will carry over to
Sunday (June 19) afternoon's card. Post time for the 11-race Father's Day
program is 1:30 p.m. Eastern, with the $179,000 Roll With Joe Open Pace carded
as the eighth event.
