Merrow closed from fifth at three-quarters to take the $12,143 Open Handicap Pace at Vernon Downs on Saturday, June 27.

Natameri (John NacDonald) went straight to the front and led through first-half splits of :27 and :56.2 with Merrow sitting fifth. Triple Sevens (Leon Bailey) left the three-hole and marched on Natameri to three-quarters in 1:24.1. Natameri held off Triple Sevens into mid-stretch but faced new challenges as Bluesville (Ron Harp) and Merrow (Chris Long) fired on the outside. Bluesville overtook the pacesetter late, but Merrow finished best in the final metres to get up for the head victory in 1:52.4. Primo Uomo (Jimmy Whittemore) finished third.

Merrow took his first Open win since May 2 for trainer Joe Sansone and owner Suheil Ashkar. The four-year-old son of Stag Party-Siobhan is now 15-for-43 lifetime.  He paid $7.98 to win.

Leon Bailey had a driving triple. John MacDonald, Jimmy Whittemore and Chris Long each won twice on the 14-race card.

Vernon Downs will host its next card on Friday, July 3 with a post time of 5:05 p.m.

(With files from Vernon Downs)