Lifes A Puzzle won the $34,722 Open Handicap Pace on Monday, April 21 at Plainridge Park, building on an impressive effort in his seasonal debut last week.

Driver Nick Graffam wasted no time asserting command, launching Lifes A Puzzle off the gate into a snappy :26.3 opening quarter. From there, the pair maintained a clear lead to the :54.4 half, where the favoured Naturally Gifted A (Kevin Switzer Jr.) mounted a first-over bid.

As the group motored up the backstretch, Lifes A Puzzle turned up the tempo with a quick :26.4 third panel, which proved too much for Naturally Gifted A, who stalled third on the outside entering the final turn. At the top of the stretch, closers began to close in, with Sport Secret (Brett Beckwith) launching the most serious late threat. But Lifes A Puzzle dug in gamely and held firm to win by a length in 1:51, delivering the fastest mile of the season so far at Plainridge. Virtual Horizon (Drew Monti) edged out his fellow Alberta stakes-winning stablemate Grey Horizon (Mitchell Cushing) for third. 

Lifes A Puzzle ($29.40) is trained by Gerald MacKenzie Jr. for Richard Humphrey of Cornish, Maine.

In the $26,389 upper-level conditioned co-feature, General Montana N (Matt Athearn) lit up the toteboard with a stunning 45-1 upset. Sitting the pocket behind Renaissance Deo (Walter Case Jr.) through fractions of :27.1, :56, and 1:23.3, General Montana N swung out in the stretch and surged late to nab the win by a head in 1:52.2.

General Montana N ($94.60) is trained by Amanda Kelley for Sartin Racing of Bear, Delaware.

Mitchell Cushing was the leading driver on Monday, winning three races on the card.

Racing resumes at Plainridge Park on Tuesday, April 22, with a first post of 4 p.m.

(With files from Plainridge Park)