On Friday night at Tioga Downs, Leanback Coco and Phil Fluet captured the featured $18,000 Fillies & Mares Open Handicap Pace
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No stranger to the winner’s circle on Friday nights, Leanback Coco made her fourth trip in her last five starts in Tioga’s featured Friday night race.
Assigned post position number six in a field of six, Fluet floated out from the gate and caught a spot in third as the field paced through fractions of :27 and :56.
Turning down the backstretch aimed at three-quarters, Fluet moved Leanback Coco to her usual first over move and wore down the leader Hello Great Mate late in the stretch to win in 1:53.3.
It was the fifth win of the year for the eight-year-old daughter of Cambest-Racin For Angie for owner-trainer Ken Andersen of New Jersey.
Lizzies Dream and Mike Merton paced home late to get up for second, while Hello Great Mate and Lewayne Miller hung on for third.
Phil Fluet posted a driving triple on the night’s nine-race card, while Ed Hensley posted a driving double.
Tioga Downs continues live racing on Saturday, July 23 at 6:50 p.m.
(Tioga Downs)