Merrow ($2.10) and driver Leon Bailey won the featured $7,639 conditioned pace at Vernon Downs on Friday, May 2.

Starlit Jackson (Justin Huckabone) charged straight to the front and led to the quarter in :27.3. Merrow brushed on by heading down the backstretch and was first to the half in :58 and three-quarters in 1:26.4 with Cant Touch Nasty (Chris Long) challenging first-up. As they made the turn for home, Merrow found another gear and won easily in 1:54.2. Cant Touch Nasty followed five lengths back with Starlit Jackson holding on for third.

Merrow is a three-year-old Stag Party-Siobhan colt owned by Suheil Ashkar of Liverpool, New York. A winner of an Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots division and leg of the Harvest Series during his 10-race freshman season, Merrow has launched his sophomore campaign with back-to-back wins at Vernon while under the care of trainer Joe Sansone.

Bailey drove three winners on the 10-race card while David Dewhurst had three training wins.

Live harness racing returns to Vernon Downs on Saturday, May 3 with a post time of 5:05 p.m.

(With files from Vernon Downs; photo of Merrow from a previous win at Woodbine Mohawk Park)