Saratoga Trotter of the Year nominee Big Box Hanover claimed the $17,000 Open Trot on Sunday afternoon (Feb. 5).
Owner-trainer-driver Larry Stalbaum powered the barn's top trotter to the top from post seven. After enjoying a comfortable first half that was clocked in :58.4, Big Box Hanover was met with the challenge of pocket-pulling rival Grinder. That one put in a brief bid but came up short as Big Box Hanover prevailed in 1:58.1 to record the victory in the first Open for trotters. Grinder came up second-best while Reign Of Honor earned the show spot.
Big Box Hanover, the morning line favourite, paid $10 to win and led an exacta and triple that returned $136 and $1,027, respectively.
Live racing continues on Monday afternoon (Feb. 6) with a matinee that begins at noon.
(Saratoga Casino Hotel)