Pocono: Stretch The Line fastest in morning qualifiers

Thirteen fields of 2-year-olds got further education during a Wednesday morning 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 baby whom he trains right down the road, coming home in 55 3/5 -- 27 2/5 in winning by over 10 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 1/5 or better, and the other winners deserve mention: Howulikemenowray (a Heston Blue Chip colt out of All The Ladies) in 1:57 1/5; the colt All Or Nothing (Always B Miki -- Boova Beach) in 1:58 1/5; and a second Erv Miller-trained youngster, the Always B Miki -- Miss ATM colt Bay City, in 1:58 1/5.

Among the freshman pacing fillies, the So Surreal -- Gotmyredressontnut miss She's Never Wrong also frontended commandingly, winning in 1:58 2/5 with a 28 1/5 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 $1.1M winner Cedar Dove, made a second straight successful appearance at the races, here winning by 15 lengths in 1:59 2/5 - 28 1/5. Trainer David Wiest, who developed the top filly Love Muffin last year, also drove this fast freshman, and he as David L Wiest Stables LLC 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 3/5 in a 2:01 4/5 triumph in her own bow. Tyler Buter sulky-sat for trainer John Butenschoen and owner Lester Beachy.

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

-edited release (PHHA/Pocono)