Merrow went gate-to-wire to win the $11,972 featured conditioned pace at Vernon Downs on Saturday, Nov. 8.
Chris Long had Merrow ($5.80) in front through the quarter in :27.1 and to the half in :56.1, where Aces Or Bettor (Leon Bailey) challenged for command. Merrow led to three quarters in 1:23.2 and shook off that challenger on the final turn. Bluesville (Ron Harp) charged late, but Merrow was too strong and won in a lifetime-best 1:51.4. Bluesville missed by three-quarters of a length, with Aces Or Bettor third.
Merrow has won back-to-back starts at this level for trainer Joe Sansone and owner Suheil Ashkar. The three-year-old Stag Party-Siobhan colt is now 11-for-32 lifetime.
Leon Bailey drove five winners on the 13-race card, taking the lead in the drivers' standings and picking up some much-needed cushion. With 106 victories on the meet, he leads Chris Long by four tallies going to the final weekend of the season. Bailey got his wins with Double My Chips ($8.18), Discus Hanover ($15.30), Bea Nameless ($3.76), Irish Exit Express ($6.46), and Choices Honor ($6.76). The reinsman has amassed 212 wins overall this year and is two away from tying his previous best seasonal total.
Trainers Michelle Warner and David Dewhurst both won a race on the day and are tied for first for the trainers' title race with 37 wins each. Gary Gibson is two behind with 35.
Live racing returns to Vernon Downs on Friday, Nov. 14 with a post time of 5:05 p.m.
(With files from Vernon Downs)