Big Box Hanover bolted from last to first to take the $17,000 Open Pace at Saratoga Casino Hotel on Sunday afternoon (March 12).
Young reinsman Matt Athearn, who drove the six-year-old to victory last week, again sat behind Big Box Hanover as they once again got away last after starting from post eight in the eight-horse Open. On Sunday, Big Box Hanover was third over after a first half that went in :57.3 and again made a late sweeping move to take over the lead in the stretch. The Larry Stalbaum trainee stopped the timer in 1:56.1 for his fourth win of the season and third score in the local Open this year. Dewey Arnold was the runner-up to Big Box Hanover for the second consecutive week while Abruzzo earned the show spot.
Big Box Hanover, the three-time Open winner, paid $16.60 on Sunday and led an exacta and triple that returned $57 and $195, respectively.
Stalbaum also owns the six-year-old Unce Peter gelding, who boasts 38 career wins and $526,872 in earnings.
Live harness racing continues on Monday (March 13) at Saratoga with a first post set for 12 p.m. (EDT).
(With files from Saratoga Casino Hotel)