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 three- and four-year-old pacing fillies and mares. The $15,000-added series final is set for next Wednesday (March 17).

Best Derby Native was enjoying a pocket trip behind 3-5 favourite 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 four-year-old daughter of Allamerican Native and 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 in the other division, had far less drama, speeding to the point early and triumphing by four 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 (races 8-12) — 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.