Lazarus N gelding sizzles with fastest mile of the season

Plainville, MA — After turning in a formidable harness racing performance in his seasonal bow last week, Life’s A Puzzle (Lazarus N) bounced back with the fastest mile of the season so far at Plainridge Park after winning the $25,000 Open Handicap pace on Monday (April 21) afternoon.

Driver Nick Graffam took no prisoners from the start when he bolted to the lead off the gate with Life’s A Puzzle in a snappy :26.3 first frame. From there he held a gapped-length lead to the :54.4 half, where the favored Naturally Gifted A (Kevin Switzer Jr.) made a first-over move and tried to advance.

As the group motored up the backstretch, Life’s A Puzzle was on top by two turned up the heat even more with a :26.4 third quarter that stymied the progress of Naturally Gifted A, who stalled, third on the outside, as they entered the final turn.

When they reached the top of the stretch, the trailers began to reel in the leader with Sport Secret (Brett Beckwith) making the biggest move. But Life’s A Puzzle would not relent and won by a length in 1:51.

Life’s A Puzzle ($29.40) is owned by Richard Humphrey and trained by Gerald Mac Kenzie Jr.

LIFES A PUZZLE REPLAY

In the secondary featured $19,000 upper-level conditioned pace, General Montana N (Matty Athearn), who was sent off at 45-1, upset the full field of nine after he tripped-out behind Renaissance Deo (Walter Case Jr.) through quarters of :27.1, :56 and 1:23.3 and then moved to the center of the track and pulled in front of the field by a head in the shadow of the wire to win in 1:52.2.

General Montana N ($94.60) is owned by Sartin Racing and trained by Amanda Kelley.

GENERAL MONTANA REPLAY

Mitchell Cushing was the leading driver on Monday, winning three races on the card, while 11 different trainers each won one race apiece.

Racing resumes at Plainridge Park on Tuesday (April 22) at 4 p.m.

Free full past performance programs and race replays for all live racing days at Plainridge Park can be found at plainridgeparkcasino.com.

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

by Tim Bojarski, for Plainridge Park