Washington, PA —  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 proved to be best in The Meadows feature on Friday afternoon. Chris Gooden Photo.

Puzzling (Dave Palone) was unchallenged on the point until Torrin Hanover (Hunter Myers) launched a relentless backside move through the rain and slop. But Palone kept the 4-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 (Jim Pantaleano) 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.