Big Box Hanover scores gritty victory at Plainridge

Plainville, MA — Under duress most of the way, Big Box Hanover (Uncle Peter) delivered in the end by winning the $25,000 Open Handicap harness racing trotting feature at Plainridge Park on Friday (Sept. 27) afternoon.

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.

BIG BOX HANOVER REPLAY

It was the 49th career win for Big Box Hanover ($6.00) who is owned and trained by Larry Stalbaum.

It was one of two training wins for Stalbaum who also won with Malibu Kid (Wishing Stone), who dropped out of the Open and into the secondary featured $17,000 upper level conditioned trot for this week’s outing.

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 1-½ lengths and won in 1:55.2, taking a new seasonal mark.

Malibu Kid ($4.60) is owned by Shark Racing Stable.

MALIBU KID REPLAY

Malibu Kid was only one of Beckwith’s wins. He finished the day with a grand slam, having also scored with Heaven’s Pic (1:53.4, $2.80), Facebook Official (1:57.2, $15.20) and Twoscoopsforjack (1:55.4, $29.20). that gave Beckwith nine wins in the last two days at Plainridge.

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 3-year-olds.

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

by Tim Bojarski, for the Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts