Wilkes-Barre, PA — Thirteen fields of 2-year-olds got further education during a Wednesday morning (June 16) qualifying session at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono.

 

Erv Miller took a rare turn in the sulky and produced the fastest mile of the day, a 1:55 victory with the Huntsville–Jessalilmixup pacing gelding Stretch The Line. The youngster made a break while going first-over in his debut, but today there was no mistake as Miller headed the freshman whom he trains right down the road, coming home in :55.3–:27.2 in winning by 10-1/2 lengths. Ervin Miller Stable Inc. shares ownership of the promising pacer with Rock And Roll Stable Inc.

All four divisions of 2-year-old pacing males went in 1:58.1 or better, and the other winners deserve mention: Howulikemenowray (a Heston Blue Chip colt out of All The Ladies) in 1:57.1; the colt All Or Nothing (Always B Miki–Booya Beach) in 1:58.1; and a second Erv Miller-trained youngster, the Always B Miki–Miss ATM colt Bay City, in 1:58.1.

Among the freshman pacing fillies, the So Surreal–Gotmyredressontnit miss She’s Never Wrong also front-ended commandingly, winning in 1:58.2 with a :28.1 last quarter. Jason Bartlett drove the Janice Connor-owned and trained filly to the impressive victory.

Parola Hanover, a Bar Hopping colt whose dam Peace Dove is a three-quarter sister to the $1.1 million winner Cedar Dove, made a second straight successful appearance at the races, here winning by 15 lengths in 1:59.2-:28.1. Trainer David Wiest, who developed the top filly Love Muffin last year, also drove this fast freshman, and he as David L Wiest Stables and partner Ed Kimmel seem to have another very good prospect here.

Tops among the trotting fillies was Gracelyn Hanover, by the hot debut sire Walner out of Gatka Hanover, who went her last quarter in :28.3 in a 2:01.4 triumph in her own bow. Tyler Buter drove for trainer John Butenschoen and owner Lester Beachy.

Erv Miller and John Butenschoen each sent out three winning freshmen during the Tuesday proceedings.