Saratoga Springs, NY – Knockout Round (Sweet Lou) made his Saratoga debut a winning on Tuesday afternoon (April 14) in the matinee’s featured race.
Larry Stalbaum picked up the catch-drive for trainer Melissa Beckwith behind Knockout Round who romped in the qualifier that began his season.
The 4-year-old wound up being heavily backed by the betting public and went off as the 1-9 favorite in the $10,750 feature for colt and gelding pacers and Stalbaum wasted little time moving the big favorite out to the early lead.
The Saratoga newbie cruised unopposed in a first lap that went in :56.4 before rattling off three quarters in 1:25.3 and padding his lead seemingly with every stride before powering away to score a decisive three and a quarter length win in 1:55.3.
Knockout Round, a three-time winner in 2025, was one of two winners out of the Beckwith stable on Tuesday as 3-year-old pacer Mr Mctygue set a lifetime mark in a non-winners of two race lifetime event stopping the timer in a career-best 1:58.3 with Jacob Cutting in the sulky.
Live racing resumes on Saturday (April 18) at Saratoga with a matinee that begins at noon.