Big Box Hanover overcame being the longest shot on the board and the outermost post to claim the $17,000 Open Trot at Saratoga Casino Hotel on Sunday (March 5).
Young reinsman Matt Athearn got away last with Big Box Hanover, who remained the race’s back-marker until the five-eighths pole when the field bunched up after the first half went in a fast :56.2. The race was up for grabs heading to three-quarters as the classy Stalbaum trainee continued to progress little by little. Big Box Hanover was still fifth at the top of the stretch, but his tenacious pursuit didn’t end there and didn’t stop until he hit the wire first in 1:56.4 to spring the big upset. Dewey Arnold dealt with traffic trouble throughout the mile and ended as the runner-up to Big Box Hanover.
Big Box Hanover, trained by Larry Stalbaum, paid $57 to win. Dewey Arnold completed a $249.50 exacta while Yes finished third in his local debut to complete a $3,291 triple.
The six-year-old Big Box Hanover moved over the half-million dollar mark in lifetime earnings a few weeks ago and on Sunday recorded his 37th win in 107 starts.
Live harness racing continues on Monday afternoon (March 6) at Saratoga and will feature a carryover of $4,648 in the early Pick 5, which begins in Race 1 on the matinee card. First post time is 12 p.m. (EST).
(with files from Saratoga Casino Hotel)