Big Box Hanover puts up big boy numbers

Plainville, MA — Big Box Hanover (Uncle Peter) put up big boy numbers at Plainridge Park on Monday (July 7) afternoon as he scored the fastest trotting mile of the meet and a new lifetime mark of 1:52.3 in the featured $25,000 Open trot.

Nick Graffam took no prisoners with Big Box Hanover as he decisively seated By The Book (Kevin Switzer Jr.) going to the quarter in :27. Graffam then backed off the half to a soft :56 before Morning Edition (Shawn Gray) pulled first-over and drew alongside the leader at three-quarters after a snappy :27.3 panel.

With the top three tightly bunched around the far turn, Big Box Hanover continued to set the tempo and entered the stretch looking very much a winner. But he needed to hold off Morning Edition and a fast-closing By The Book before he crossed the line in front by one-quarter length to close out his career best, 1:52.3 outing.

It was the 58th lifetime win for Big Box Hanover ($10.20) who is owned and trained by Larry Stalbaum.

BIG BOX HANOVER REPLAY

The very next race was the secondary featured $21,000 upper-level conditioned trot where the Massachusetts-bred Bravado upset the field at 48-1 while also taking a new lifetime mark.

Bill Bauer (Shawn Gray) led the field through quarters of :27.1 and :57.1 while Bravado (Kevin Switzer Jr.) got away eighth and last before coming second-over behind Snowpiercer (Drew Monti). Snowpiercer continued to pressure Bill Bauer to three-quarters and around the last turn where Bravado tipped-off cover and bolted home to a half-length victory in a career best 1:54.

BRAVADO REPLAY

It was the fourth win in only seven starts this year for Bravado ($99.20) who is owned by Ray Campbell Jr. and Al Ross and trained by Gretchen Athearn.

Brett Beckwith was the leading driver on Monday after he won three races during the day while Melissa Beckwith and Domenico Cecere were the top trainers with two wins apiece.

Live racing will resume at Plainridge Park on Tuesday (July 8) at 4 p.m. and there will be a $7,343 carryover in the Wicked Hi-5 pentafecta in race six.

Free full past performance programs and race replays for all live racing days at Plainridge Park can be found at plainridgeparkcasino.com.

For complete race entries, click here: US Trotting entries.

by Tim Bojarski, for Plainridge Park