Saratoga Springs, NY — Trainer-driver Larry Stalbaum won the Saturday night feature at Saratoga Casino Hotel with his Heaven On High N. On Sunday (June 23), Stalbaum saw his Malibu Kid (Wishing Stone) start from post position five in the $15,000 Open Trot while looking to have his trainees win back-to-back Opens.

Malibu Kid rebuffed the favorite en route to a 1:56.4 score. Jessica Hallett photo.

Malibu Kid came into Sunday’s try with just one win in 2024, although the victory did come in the local Open back in February. The 6-year-old high-stepper has been a solid factor in the regular Sunday feature over the course of the last few months and finished second or third in five of his six starts leading up to this weekend’s try.

Stalbaum made an early move with Malibu Kid who made it to the top before rattling off matching panels of :29.1 in the opening quarter en route to clicking off a half in :58.2. The leader never faced a challenge until the race’s favorite Remember Titans (Brett Beckwith) revved up his motor late in the mile and powered up while looking to confront Malibu Kid.

The pursuit proved to be futile as the Stalbaum trainee dug in and rebuffed the favorite en route to a 1:56.4 score. Remember Titans, the 8-5 betting favorite in the feature, came up second-best while longshot Wishing Barefoot (Brian Cross) earned the show spot.

Malibu Kid paid $8.70 to win and led an exacta and triple that returned $25.60 and $79.24, respectively.

Stalbaum’s victory in the Open Trot is his second in June as his Big Box Hanover prevailed in a Sunday feature earlier in the month. Both Malibu Kid and the Saturday Open winner Heaven On High N are owned by Shark Racing Stable.

Live racing continues at Saratoga on Monday afternoon when there will be a 17-race matinee featuring the New York Sire Stakes for 2-year-old trotting colts and geldings. First post time for Monday is set for noon.