After finishing third in three consecutive installments of the $23,352 Open Trot, Big Box Hanover snapped the streak with a victory in the Monday (July 20) feature at Saratoga Raceway.
Big Box Hanover was dismissed at odds of 7-1 when he flashed early speed to make the front in :27.2. Tracked in the pocket by the favoured But Why (Jimmy Devaux), Big Box Hanover traveled relatively unopposed in a half in :56.4 and three quarters in 1:26 before facing a two-pronged challenge in the stretch. But Why tried to reel in the leader while Dealin With Dewey (Aaron Byron) charged up on the outside in the payoff path. The chase of both rivals proved to be futile as Big Box Hanover lasted on the lead in 1:55.1 to record his fourth win of the season and the 65th in his illustrious career.
Billy Dobson piloted the nine year old for owner-trainer Larry Stalbaum of Matamoras, PA, who saw the career earnings for his barn’s trotting star nearing $1.1 million with the win. Big Box Hanover is a nine-year-old gelded son of Uncle Peter-Box Of Dreams.
Stalbaum’s stable featured another winner on the matinee card as well. Stalbaum’s Makeorbreakzaz S (Nuncio) prevailed in his U.S. debut on Monday scoring in 1:55.4 to complete the training double.
Dobson, who piloted the winner of the Open, tallied four wins on the Monday matinee in what was the biggest day of the season thus far for the multiple Saratoga driving champion.
Live racing continues on Tuesday (July 21) with a 14-race card that is set to begin at 12 p.m.
(With files from Saratoga Raceway)