Merrow delivers front end masterclass

Merrow (Chris Long) captures the $8,500 featured pace at Vernon Downs on Saturday (November 8).

Merrow ($5.80) led to the quarter in :27.1.  He used a :29.0 second quarter to be first to the half in :56.1.  Aces Or Bettor (Leon Bailey) challenged for the lead heading for the final turn.  Merrow shook him off and led to three quarters in 1:23.2.

Second place finisher Bluesville (Ron Harp) came flying late but Merrow was too strong and won in a lifetime best of 1:51.4.  Aces Or Bettor finished third.

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.  He now has 11 career victories.

Leon Bailey drove five winners on the card giving him106 victories on the season.  He leads Chris Long by four going to the final weekend of the season.   Bailey got his wins with Double My Chips, Discus Hanover, Bea Nameless, Irish Exit Express, and Choices Honor.

Trainers Michelle Warner and David Dewhurst are tied for first for the trainer’s title with 37 wins each.  Gary Gibson is two behind with 35.

Vernon Downs returns to live racing on Friday (November 14) 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