Wilkes-Barre, PA — Trainer Erv Miller sent out four successful 2-year-olds, a pair of males on each gait, during Wednesday morning (June 24) qualifiers at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono.
Fastest performer in the early action was Carrythetorchman, a colt by American Ideal out of Kattimon, who has produced two $400,000 winners already. She may have three to her credit if this freshman continues to show top speed, as he made two moves to the lead then stepped home in :55.4 to win in 1:57, taking his second straight qualifier for Miller, driver Atlee Bender, and owners Ronald Michelon and War Horse Stables.
The other victorious Miller pacer was the Art Major–Wenditions colt Not Today, who overcame the outside post nine in 1:58.4 for driver/son Marcus Miller and the ownership of Michael Anderson, Louis Willinger, and George Golemes.
Miller also sent out the fastest trotting male in the Chapter Seven–Chandler T gelding Cschapeterone, whom Atlee Bender steered to success in 2:01.1 for Ervin Miller Stable, Tangie Massie, Louis Willinger, and Harvey Eisman.
Stablemate Bacardi (Southwind Frank-Strawberry Wine) was just a tick behind in completing the Erv Miller quadruple for driver Marcus Miller and the partnership of Ervin Miller Stable, All-Wright Racing, Engel Stable Of Il and Rock And Roll Stable Inc.
Trainer Jenny Melander sent out two successful trotting filly freshman winners, with the Cantab Hall–All That Sparkles miss Myreanna taking speed honors with a wire-to-wire 1:59.2 win for driver Matt Kakaley and the JPS Racing Stables.
Melander handled the Cantab Hall–Tymal Elvira distaff Two Piece Tanlines herself and probably didn’t like being 13 lengths behind at the three-quarters, but the front-end speed gave way and Melander guided her freshman home first in 2:03.2 for Melander Racing Inc., John Devito and Michael and Gary Card.
Finally, quickest of the freshman pacing fillies was the Roll With Joe–Special Sweetheart miss Special Olivia, who went to the lead down the backstretch and carried her speed to the wire in a 1:58.1 win for driver Tyler Buter, trainer Rob Harmon, and owner John Fleischman.