Photo can’t split Bluesville and Merrow in thrilling finish

Bluesville (Ron Harp) and Merrow (Leon Bailey) finish in a harness racing dead heat in the $8,500 featured pace on Friday (October 24).

Merrow ($2.32) got the first call, but Bluesville ($2.54) took over and led to the quarter in :27.0.  He used a :29.1 second quarter to be first to the half in :56.1.  Syracuse Express (John MacDonald) came first-up to challenge going around the final turn.  Bluesville had a slight lead to three quarters in 1:24.2.

Bluesville had a short lead as they entered the stretch.  Merrow slipped through on the inside as the two horses battled side by side and hit the line at the same time finishing in a dead heat in 1:52.3.  Gold Star Sven (Steeven Genois) finished third.

Bluesville is a 6-year-old gelding by Huntsville.  He is owned by Big Sky Ranch and trained by Harp.  It was his sixth win this season and his 25th career victory.

Merrow is a 3-year-old colt by Stag Party.  He is owned by Suheil Ashkar and trained by Joe Sansone.  It was his seventh win this season and his ninth career victory.

BLUESVILLE/MERROW REPLAY

Bailey had a driving hat trick.  John MacDonald and Joe Nassimos had driving-training doubles.

Vernon Downs returns to live racing on Saturday (October 25) with a post time of 5:05 p.m.

For more information go to www.vernondowns.com.

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.

by John Horne, for Vernon Downs