by Evan Pattak, for The Meadows

Washington, PA — Escape The News tookadvantage of a sizzling three-quarters and pounced late to score in 1:49.1,matching the track record, in Saturday’s (March 12) $20,000 Winners Over $10,000 Life HandicapPace at The Meadows.

Unlocked was on a mission on the lead,clicking off three-quarters in 1:21.1 and frustrating most would-bechallengers. Not Escape The News, who moved first-over from third for AaronMerriman and nailed Unlocked by a nose. Hall Bro was third. The time equaledAtta Boy Dan’s track record for older geldings. Brewer Adams trains the7-year-old son of Artiscape-Ideal News, who now boasts $711,976 in careerearnings, for Kevin Sywyk.

Saturday’s card also featured twosecond-leg divisions of the Walter Russell Memorial Pace for 3- and 4-year-oldcolts, horses and geldings, with Connecting Flight and Dr Drake Ramoray eachtaking a $12,000 split.

It was the second straight series win forConnecting Flight, and if anything, it was easier than his opening-leg romp.The 4-year-old Panspacificflight-Shares Rebound gelding zipped to the front forDave Palone and steadily widened, scoring in a career-best 1:51.1. Stone FireHanover rallied for second, 6-3/4 lengths back, while Keystone Dylan held show.Kevin Johnson conditions Connecting Flight for Erv Miller.

Merriman piloted four winners on the15-race program while Tony Hall and Palone each fashioned a triple.