Vernon, NY — Merrow (Chris Long) took the featured $8,500 Open Pace at Vernon Downs on Saturday (June 27).
Natameri (John NacDonald) went straight to the front and led to the first quarter in :27. He used a :29.2 second quarter to be first to the half in :56.2. Triple Sevens (Leon Bailey) was first to make a move heading around the final turn. Natameri reached three-quarters first in 1:24.1.
As they reached the stretch, there was a mad scramble for the lead. Second-place finisher Bluesville (Ron Harp) took a short lead, but Merrow ($7.98) came flying down the lane like he was shot out of a cannon and got up in time to win in 1:52.4. Primo Uomo (Jimmy Whittemore) finished third.
Merrow is a 4-year-old horse by Stag Party owned by Suheil Ashkar and trained by Joe Sansone. It was his fourth win this season and his 15th career victory.
Leon Bailey had a driving triple. John MacDonald, Jimmy Whittemore and Chris Long had driving doubles.
Live racing returns to Vernon Downs on Friday (July 3) with a post time of 5:05 p.m. For more information, go to www.vernondowns.com.