Keystone Dylan pulls off 27-1 shocker

Pouncing on a mistake by the 1-9 favorite, Keystone Dylan opened a daylight light and dug in late to pull off a 27-1 shocker in Saturday's third leg of the Walter Russell Memorial Pace. Cheapskate Hanover took the other $15,000 third-leg split in the series for harness racing 3- and 4-year-old colts, horses and geldings. The championships of four current series at The Meadows, including the Walter Russell, are set for Saturday, March 26.

Connecting Flight was sent off at 1-9 on the strength of his two previous series victories and was enjoying the lead, with Keystone Dylan and Mike Wilder chasing uncovered near the three-quarters. When Connecting Flight jumped it off, Keystone Dylan got safely around him and sprinted away from the field, which was scrambling to avoid the breaker. He had enough left to hold off Stone Fire Hanover by 1-1/4 lengths in 1:54.4 over a sloppy surface. Official Stripes rallied for show.

Ron Burke trains Keystone Dylan, a 3-year-old Somebeachsomewhere-Keystone Dawn gelding, for Burke Racing Stable, Frank Baldachino. Larry Karr and Michelle Yanek.

In the $22,500 Winners Over $10,000 Life/Preferred Handicap, Rockin Ron showed again that he's the "Prince of Pace" at The Meadows when he overcame post 9 to capture his fifth straight race. The pocket-sitting Unlocked was second, 1/2 length back, with Doctor RJ third. Dave Palone piloted the 4-year-old Real Desire-Im All A Roan gelding, who now boasts $179,918 in career earnings, for Burke and owners Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi LLC and RTC Stables.

Tony Hall and Burke each won five times on the 15-race card while Palone fashioned a four-bagger.

The Meadows Racetrack & Casino