Wilkes-Barre, PA — Tuesday (June 23) marked the first time in 2020 that 2-year-olds went before the bettors at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono, with paces for both sexes offered.

The Always B Miki–Jan It Jackson colt Billy Clyde, a half-brother to $500,000 winner Semi Tough, won his pari-mutuel debut in 1:55.4 after posting a 1:55.1 clocking in a Meadowlands qualifier. Mark MacDonald moved the freshman to the front passing the stands, rated the pace to the three-quarters, then rushed the colt home in :27.4 for trainer Ray Schnittker, who is also co-owner with Dr. John Egloff.

Heading the fillies section was Bossy Linda, a daughter of Roll With Joe–Ideal Ginny (a full sister to four $450,000-plus winners), who went to the top and stayed in command with Marcus Miller in 1:56, bettering her 1:57.4 time posted in her initial outing in a Wingate Farm qualifier. Marcus’s father Erv Miller is developing the filly nicely for owners D R Van Witzenburg and George Golemes.

Most impressive among the “older set” was Caliber, who won off a familiar pattern — a Ron Burke trainee in his seasonal debut after a useful qualifier. Driver Matt Kakaley, who had four wins during the program, occasionally had to remind his charge to stay in high gear, but Caliber certainly did that, lowering his mark to 1:50.4 with a :55.1 back half. A sophomore gelding by Sweet Lou out of world champion Allstar Rating (his third dam is also a world champion, Delinquent Account), Caliber appears to have good things in front of him for owner Diamond Creek Racing.