Trained, owned and driven by Larry Stalbaum, Big Box Hanover returned to the winner’s circle at Saratoga Casino Hotel on Sunday, June 2 after taking the featured $20,548 Winners Over/Open Handicap Trot.
Big Box Hanover and Majestic Fire (Billy Dobson) battled for the lead to the opening panel in :28.2. After that mark, Big Box Hanover took command to the half in :58.1, but Duckdodgendive (Brett Beckwith) was the first to the three-quarters from the outside in 1:27. Duckdodgendive and Big Box Hanover battled against each other towards the finish line. Down to the wire, Big Box Hanover prevailed by three-quarters of a length in 1:56.2. Duckdodgendive took second and favourite Joxter (Dan Daley) completed the top three.
The seven-year-old Uncle Peter-Box Of Dreams gelding is a winner of $676,658 and 46 career races from 156 starts. Big Box Hanover paid $9 to win as the 7-2 third choice in his return to the Spa where he was an Open runner-up two starts ago. The win was his third in 18 seasonal starts.
Brett Beckwith drove five winners on the Sunday afternoon card, including Mickie Mantle ($8.10), Echo De Meautis Fr ($3.70), Secret Bro ($19), Wania ($4) and Spirit Of Success ($4.20).
(With files from Saratoga Casino Hotel)