Merrow charged late from third to win his second straight $11,486 Open Pace at Vernon Downs on Saturday, May 2, improving to two-for-two on the season.

Primo Uomo (Leon Bailey) fired off the gate from post five and led to the quarter in :27.3, with Merrow also leaving well for Chris Long from the six-hole and dropping into the pocket. After a half in :56.2, Natameri (Jeff Gregory) came first-up to challenge on the way to three-quarters in 1:24.1 and went by the pacesetter as they straightened for home. Merrow then shifted to the outside of Natameri in the stretch and flew home to win by a head in 1:52.2. Bluesville (Ron Harp) finished third.

Merrow is perfect in two Open starts at four for trainer Joe Sansone and owner Suheil Ashkar. The son of Stag Party-Siobhan now has 13 career wins in 35 starts. He paid $7.20 to win.

Jessica Okusko took the top spot in the trainers' standings with a three-win night on the 12-race program. She won with Number Seven ($2.62), Chaparista ($4.10) and Gregory ($2.34), all three of which were driven by Jeff Gregory. The triple pushed Okusko past Michelle Warner in the conditioners' ranks, and she now leads that rival 8-6.

Jack McNeil drove two horses from his barn to victory, while driver Joe Nassimos and trainer Kayla Lum teamed up for a double.

Live racing returns to Vernon Downs on Friday, May 8 with a post time of 5:05 p.m.

(With files from Vernon Downs)