by Evan Pattak, for The Meadows

Washington, PA — Art N Music exploded from the pocket in the lane and captured his second straight in Saturday’s (March 18) Walter Russell Memorial Pace at The Meadows. Town Speaker took the other $12,500 second-leg split in the series for 3-and 4-year-old colts, stallions and geldings.

Chris Gooden photo

Art N Music wins his second consecutive contest at The Meadows in the second leg of the Walter Russell Memorial Pace Series on Saturday afternoon.

The Walter Russell championship, as well as the finals of three other current series at The Meadows, is set for Saturday (March 25).

Art N Music stalked Dragon Striker for most of the mile before making the winning move for Dave Palone. He prevailed in a career-best 1:55.3 over a sloppy surface, 2-3/4 lengths better than the rallying Sin City Boogie, while Dragon Striker saved show.

Ron Burke trains the 4-year-old Art Colony-Keystone Musical gelding for Burke Racing Stable and Weaver Bruscemi LLC.

Town Speaker, who finished third in his series opener, quarter-poled to the front for Dan Rawlings and held off the first-over Gossip Boy to score by a neck in 1:56.3, with Subliminal third. Dirk Simpson conditions the 3-year-old Well Said-Town Feather gelding for James Reynolds and Marsha Combs-Skinner.

Burke enjoyed a four-bagger on the 12-race card, with Palone piloting three of the victors.