Longtime Ontario Signature Circuit driver Scott Coulter has quickly worked his way into prominence at Tioga Downs through the first month of the 2016 season.
On Saturday (May 28) evening's nine-race card, the "Tan Tornado" copped a natural hat trick to lead all drivers.
In the evening's third race, the 45-year-old Ontarian teamed up with Littlebitaclass ($6.20), who vaulted off second-over cover en route to a two and a quarter length win over first-level pacers in 1:54.3. Coulter followed up in the fourth race with 11-year-old trotter Red Zeppelin ($7.70), prevailing from the pocket in 1:56.4. Trevor Win For Us ($5.50) completed Coulter's hat trick in the fifth, sprinting off from his eight second-level pacing rivals for a 1:53.4 triumph.
The night's featured race, a $7,200 upper-level conditioned trot, saw owner/driver Corey Braden work Majestic Won ($14) to the fore with a circuit to go and never look back en route to a 1:56 victory. Stacey McLenaghan trains the seven-year-old Ken Warkentin gelding.
Later on the card, King Royalty ($5.00, Mike Simons) and RG Riptide ($10.00, Mike Merton) shared a dead-heat victory in a $5,400 third-level pace, both working away from pacesetter Si Semalu and holding clear of a late rally from 3-5 Energy Shakes in 1:52.1.
The 50-cent Pick 5 on Sunday (May 29) evening's nine-race card will have a carryover of $398.32. A pair of $62,400 New York Sire Stakes events for three-year-old trotting colts and geldings share the spotlight with the $25,200 final of the Nichols True Value late closing series for three-year-old pacers. First post is slated for 6:30 p.m. Eastern time.
(Tioga Downs)