Washington, PA — She had to overcome 23-1 odds and finesse her way around a breaking horse, but Best Derby Native was up to the task, notching her second straight series win and third consecutive victory overall in Wednesday’s (March 10) Donna Dunn Memorial Pace at The Meadows.

Filly Speaks captured the other $10,000 second-leg split in the event for 3- and 4-year-old filly and mare pacers. The $15,000 added series final is set for Wednesday, March 17.

Best Derby Native winning her Donna Dunn split Wednesday at The Meadows. Chris Gooden photo.

Best Derby Native was enjoying a pocket trip behind 3-5 favorite Keep Watching when that one jumped it off near the three-quarters. Aaron Merriman was able to check Best Derby Native, clear the breaker and preserve his rail position. The 4-year-old daughter of Allamerican Native-Best Suntan brushed through the lane and scored in a career-best 1.54.2, a length better than Twin B Chit Chat. Sparklinlikeitis finished third.

Dirk Simpson trains the winner for Dirk Simpson Stable.

Filly Speaks, the 1-5 choice, had far less drama in her division, speeding to the point early and triumphing by 4 lengths in 1:54.4 for Tony Hall, trainer Scott Betts and owners Tim Betts, Nick Catalano and Keith Pippi. Lady Sophia and Aint Watching completed the ticket.

Hall collected four wins and Dan Rawlings three on the 13-race card.

Live racing at The Meadows continues Thursday when the 13-race program features a pair of carryovers — $2,831.01 in the final-race Super Hi-5, $999.71 in the Pick-5 (race 8) as well as the second legs of the Dale McConnell Memorial Trot and the Mary Wohlmuth Memorial Trot. First post is 12:45 p.m.