A claimer only four starts back, Puzzling showed that he belongs among the elite by turning back the late bid of Torrin Hanover and capturing Friday’s $16,000 Open Handicap Pace at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows.
Puzzling was unchallenged on the point until Torrin Hanover launched a relentless backside move through the rain and slop. But Dave Palone kept the four-year-old Somebeachsomewhere-Sudoko gelding to his task, and he held off Torrin Hanover by a neck in a sharp 1:50.1. The Wall completed the ticket.
Ron Burke trains Puzzling for Burke Racing Stable and Weaver Bruscemi LLC.
Hunter Myers and Burke each collected three wins on the 12-race card.
Live racing at The Meadows resumes Tuesday when the program features a $534.96 carryover in the Pick 5 (Race 7). First post is 12:45 p.m.
(MSOA)