After being sidelined almost eight weeks ago, Larry Stalbaum returned to the bike with a win in the $20,833 Winners Over/Open Handicap Trot at Saratoga Casino Hotel on Sunday, Oct. 27, guiding Malibu Kid to victory.
Stalbaum was injured in a spill at Saratoga on Aug. 31 with internal injuries and multiple broken ribs. He made his return at the Spa on Saturday, Oct. 26 with two seconds before winning on Sunday's matinee card.
Driving his own trainee, Stalbaum sent Malibu Kid from the rail and to the lead. Dictating the mile with panels in :28.2, :59 and 1:27.2, Malibu Kid maintained a comfortable lead over the field before winning by 1-1/4 lengths in 1:57.3. Bluffiner (Jordan Derue) was second with Golden Kronos (Mitch Cushing) third.
Shark Racing Stable owns the six-year-old Wishing Stone-Malibu Seelster gelding, who recorded his fourth win of the year. In 28 starts this season, he has banked $107,851. He has earned $409,845 and 37 wins in his career. At 6-1 odds, Malibu Kid paid $13.80 to win.
Stalbaum has 6,362 career victories as a driver and horses he's driven have earned more than $45.9 million in purses. As a trainer, he has 1,487 wins with his starters earning more than $8 million.
Saratoga Casino Hotel resumes racing on Monday, Oct. 28 with a 12 p.m. first race post time.
(Saratoga Casino Hotel)