Under duress most of the way, Big Box Hanover delivered in the end by winning the $33,784 Open Handicap trotting feature at Plainridge Park on Friday afternoon, Sept. 27.
Kevin Switzer Jr. sent Big Box Hanover to the front and was heavily pressured by Queen Of All (Mitchell Cushing) and Sea Can (Nick Graffam) at the :27 flat quarter. Queen Of All cleared the front, leaving Sea Can parked in the breeze while Big Box Hanover sat cozy in the pocket as they made their way into turn two.
While the group trotted onto the second half, another wave of outsiders moved forward led by Sidd Finch (Drew Campbell), who stayed strong and took the lead at the top of the stretch. But Big Box Hanover, who was fresh off the trip, found room to trot and went by Sidd Finch while holding off a late-closing Marquis Lafayette (Bruce Ranger) to win by a half length in 1:53.3.
The win was the 49th lifetime for Big Box Hanover ($6), a seven-year-old Uncle Peter gelding owned and trained by Larry Stalbaum.
Stalbaum also won with Malibu Kid, who dropped out of the Open and into the secondary feature, a $22,973 upper level conditioned trot.
Brett Beckwith shot Malibu Kid off the gate from post eight and cleared the front as they passed the stands by overcoming Enhance Yourcalm N (Kevin Switzer Jr.) and Mocha Java (Jay Randall). Once in control and with a two-length advantage, Malibu Kid marched to the half in :57 and three-quarters in 1:26.1 without any serious challenge. Malibu Kid then turned for home and trotted confidently to the wire in front by 1-1/2-lengths and won in 1:55.2, taking a new seasonal mark.
Malibu Kid ($4.60), a six-year-old gelded son of Wishing Stone, is owned by Shark Racing Stable.
Malibo Kid was only one of Beckwith's wins as he finished the day with a driving grand slam.
John Di Stefano matched Stalbaum with two training wins on Friday.
Racing resumes at Plainridge Park on Monday, Sept. 30 at 2 p.m. and the card will feature the second leg of the Massachusetts Breeders Stake for three-year-olds.
(Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts)