Leanback Coco takes Tioga Friday night feature

It was finally Leanback Coco's night on Friday night in the featured $16,500 fillies and mares open handicap pace.

In the last five starts at Tioga Downs in the Open, Leanback Coco had been twice on two occasions and third on three.

However, regular pilot Phil Fluet put the 8-year-old mare in perfect striking position second over behind the first over Lizzie's Dream chasing down Slomotion on the front.

As the field tipped of the final turn and headed down the stretch Fluet fanned Leanback Coco four wide to win by a head in a new seasonal best of 1:55.2 over a track rated sloppy.

Lizzie's Dream (Michael Merton) held tough for second, while late closing Hello Great Mate (Lewayne Miller) found some room on the pylons to get third.

The win was the second of the year for the 8-year-old daughter of Cambest – Racin For Angie for trainer-owner Ken Anderson of Columbus, NJ.

With the victory Leanback Coco increased her seasonal earnings to more than $52,000.

Jimmy Marohn Jr. posted a driving triple on the night's 11-race card and gets within one of leading driver Ed Hensley for the top spot, while Mike Micallef and Corey Braden each posted driving doubles.

Tioga Downs continues live racing on Saturday, June 18th at 6:50 pm.

For more information on Tioga Downs please visit us online at www.tiogadowns.com