Big Box Hanover returned to Saratoga Casino Hotel on Monday, Oct. 20 and returned to the winner’s circle. The veteran trotter moved his career earnings over the $1 million mark with the victory in the $26,056 Open Trot when he came from off the pace to prevail as the race’s co-favourite at odds of 2-1.
Leon Bailey piloted Big Box Hanover to his ninth win of 2025 and his fifth score in the local Open on the campaign. Over a track labelled “sloppy.” the eight-year-old trotter picked up cover in pursuit of leader Fringed (Dan Daley), who rattled off first-half fractions of :27.1 and :57.1. Big Box Hanover continued to grind, steadily gained ground throughout but remained third at the head of the stretch before he got up to win by a head in a 1:57.2 mile. Fringed was the runner-up while But Why (Billy Dobson) came from last to earn the show spot.
Big Box Hanover is owned and trained by Larry Stalbaum of Matamoras, Pennsylvania. The gelded son of Uncle Peter-Box Of Dreams has won 61 of 208 starts lifetime, good for career earnings of $1,009,744.
Live harness racing continues on Tuesday, Oct. 21 with a matinee that starts at 12 p.m.
(With files from Saratoga Casino Hotel)