Jun 15, 2016 | Racing, Uncategorized
June 11-17, 2016
If you were looking for the unexpected, it was a good week to watch the races at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono. Long shots seemed to be coming in every time you turned around, and favorites, with some notable exceptions, had a hard time getting the job done. Weeks like this past one remind everyone just how unpredictable this sport can be. Keep that in mind as we take a look at some of the top equine and human performers and hand out the Weekly Awards.
PACER OF THE WEEK: PRICELESS EDITION
Rules have been put in place this season at Pocono that have changed the claiming ranks to some extent. Without getting into the minutiae of those rules changes, the gist of them are that horses that are claimed or have had a lot of recent success at a certain price generally must move up in the ranks. As a result, winning streaks are much harder to come by among claimers. But apparently nobody told that to Priceless Edition, who’s been carving his way through his claiming brethren of late.
The hot streak for this 12-year-old gelding began on May 15. After coming up empty in his first five starts of the year following an excellent 2015, Priceless Edition handled a group of $7,500 claimers in 1:54:2. He followed that up with a place and a win in his next two races, which triggered a move up to the $10,000 claimers for his next race. And he promptly won in that class on June 4.
On Saturday night, he faced off with the $10,000 claimers once again and went off as an even-money favorite. After sitting fourth early, the veteran pacer, under the guidance of driver Andrew McCarthy, swooped to the lead on the front stretch. He never really extended to a big lead, but he kept the pressure at bay and came home strong to win by a length-and-a-quarter in 1:54:1. That makes four wins out of five for Priceless Edition, and, even though he now has to move up again, don’t be surprised if he keeps it rolling.
Other top pacers this week include: Allbeef N Nobull (Matt Kakaley, Ron Burke), who upset the field at 27-1 in Saturday night’s featured $25,000 condition pace, winning in a career-best 1:49:2 that was also the fastest pacing time of the week at Pocono; Mr D’s Dragon (Simon Allard, Staffan Lind) a 3-year-old who ripped off his third straight condition win on Tuesday night, this one coming in career-best 1:52:1; and Cracker Coffee (Eric Carlson, Amber Buter), a mare who followed up consecutive wins at Tioga with a victory on Tuesday night at Pocono in the featured pace for mares in a career-best 1:51:2.
TROTTER OF THE WEEK: SPICEDBOURBONGIRL
This 3-year-old filly from the barn of trainer Jeff Gregory has been outstanding to this point in 2016. After winning just once in nine tries as a freshman in 2015, she came out of the gate firing this year with wins in three of her first four races. Two of those wins came at Pocono, including a career-best mile of 1:53:4 on May 29, and the other was in Pennsylvania Sire Stakes competition at The Meadows.
With that kind of record it was no surprise that she went off as a 3-5 favorite in a condition trot at Pocono for non-winners of five on Sunday night. Gregory also did the driving on this night and moved Spicedbourbongirl to the front with a quarter-pole move. Even though she had put up that impressive 1:53:4 in her previous race, the filly needed much less on this night thanks to a nice rating job by Gregory in the first half of the mile.
The slower pace meant that there were other horses close by late, but Spicedbourbongirl had little trouble holding them off. Even though her winning time of 1:56:3 was nearly three seconds off her previous effort, it was easy to see she had plenty left in the tank had she wanted to push it. With four wins in five races so far in 2016, this filly looks like one of the best in her age group on the regional level, and she might just have the stuff to do some damage on a bigger stage should the opportunity arise.
Honorable mention on the trotting side goes to: Explosive Man (Robert Krivelin driver and trainer), whose condition win on Sunday in 1:56:1 was his third straight victory, two of which have come at Pocono; Amicus (George Napolitano Jr., William Mullin), who led just about all the way on Monday night to notch his second straight claiming victory, with this one coming in 1:58; and Quick Deal (Ake Svanstedt driver and trainer), who posted the week’s fastest trotting time at Pocono when he won a condition on Saturday night in 1:53.
LONG SHOT OF THE WEEK: PITTSTOP KIP
Sunday night was a night of long shots, but none were more surprising than this gelding driven by David Miller who scored a claiming handicap win at 40-1, paying off $83.80 on a $2 win ticket.
DRIVER OF THE WEEK: COREY CALLAHAN
With a Sire Stakes win Sunday night and two Stallion Series scores Monday night, Callahan was the only driver this week to get at least one win in both, and not one of his winners went off at lower than 8-1.
TRAINER OF THE WEEK: RON BURKE
The ever-prolific Burke barn produced three winners on Saturday night, including 27-1 bomber Allbeef N Nobull in the $25,000 featured condition pace.
That will do it for this week, but we’ll see you at the track. Feel free to e-mail me at [email protected].
Feb 12, 2015 | Uncategorized
Mohegan Sun Pocono is excited to welcome the world renowned Express Clydesdales to Wilkes-Barre on Friday, March 13th from 4:00pm-6:00pm on the Racetrack for a special event benefiting the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. Attendees of this March 13th event can have their photos taken with the horses and buy chances to ride in the wagon around the Racetrack. All proceeds go toward the local Children’s Miracle Network Hospital. This event is free to the public.
“I look forward to providing this unique opportunity to the community and taking advantage of this exciting time to benefit our local children’s hospital,” said Amy Clegg, Express franchisee.
Then, on March 14th, the Clydesdales will also be marching in the Scranton St. Patrick’s Day Parade and pulling a wagon with a local Children’s Miracle Network family. “We’re really excited to bring the Clydesdales to Scranton and for the public to get a chance to see these world champion gentle giants,” said Jeff Doran, owner of the Express office in Wilkes-Barre.
Known for their rare black and white color, Express Clydesdales were named world champions in the eight-horse hitch and the best cart at the World Clydesdale Show in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 2012. In addition to competing on a national stage, the Express Clydesdales have participated in some of the country’s most recognized parades and promotional events, including the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, the Tournament of Roses Parade, the Fiesta Bowl Parade, Orange Bowl Parade and Kentucky Derby, among others. The Clydesdales enjoyed a historic moment when they escorted Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge in North America at the Calgary Stampede in 2011.
ABOUT EXPRESS EMPLOYMENT PROFESSIONALS
Express is on a mission to put a million people to work annually, and worldwide, put more than 456,000 people to work in 2014 with 725 offices in the U.S., Canada and South Africa. Express provides expertise in evaluation hire, temporary staffing, professional search and human resources and works across a wide variety of industries including, administrative, commercial, data processing, technical, sales, marketing and more. For more information, visit expresspros.com.
ABOUT MOHEGAN SUN POCONO
Mohegan Sun Pocono, owned by the Mohegan Tribe of Indians of Connecticut is one of the most distinctive and spectacular entertainment, gaming, shopping and dining destinations in Pennsylvania. Situated on 400 acres in Plains, Pennsylvania, Mohegan Sun Pocono features a 238-room hotel with on-site spa and adjacent 20,000 square-foot Convention Center. It is currently home to 82,000 square feet of gaming space including 91 live table games, 2,300 slot machines and electronic table games, a variety of dining and shopping options, nightlife, entertainment and live harness racing. Mohegan Sun Pocono is within easy access of New York, Philadelphia, New Jersey and Delaware. More information is available by calling 1.888.WIN.IN.PA (1.888.946.4672) or visiting our website. Connect with us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, download our app and view us on YouTube.
Jan 23, 2015 | Uncategorized
WHAT:
Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs welcomes Matt Murray, the goalie of the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins, for a meet and greet on February 26th!
WHEN:
Thursday, February 26, 2015
6:30pm – 7:30pm
Sky Bridge
IN DETAIL:
Join Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs for a special Signings & Sightings event with the Penguins’ goalie, Matt Murray! The 20-year-old goalie was drafted by the Penguins in the third round in the 2012 NHL Draft. A native of Ontario, Canada, Murray was one of the best goaltenders in the Ontario Hockey League and continues to be a valuable asset to the Penguins.
This is a bracelet-only event. Bracelet distribution begins at 4:30pm on the Sky Bridge on a first-come, first-served basis. Bracelets must be worn in order to gain entrance into this event.
ABOUT MOHEGAN SUN AT POCONO DOWNS:
Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs, owned by the Mohegan Tribe of Indians of Connecticut is one of the most distinctive and spectacular entertainment, gaming, shopping and dining destinations in Pennsylvania. Situated on 400 acres in Plains, Pennsylvania, Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs features a 238-room hotel with on-site spa and adjacent 20,000 square-foot Convention Center. It is currently home to 82,000 square feet of gaming space including 91 live table games, 2,300 slot machines and electronic table games, a variety of dining and shopping options, nightlife, entertainment and live harness racing. Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs is within easy access of New York, Philadelphia, New Jersey and Delaware. More information is available by calling 1.888.WIN.IN.PA (1.888.946.4672) or visiting our website. Connect with us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, download our app.
Jan 15, 2015 | Uncategorized
Valentine’s Day is extra cozy this year with fabulous hotel packages and dining specials!
WILKES-BARRE, PA – Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs spreads the love this Valentine’s Day with packages and deals to make you and your loved one feel special.
During the month of February, indulge in one of the following romantic packages in the hotel:
The relaxing Valentine’s Day Package includes half a dozen chocolate covered strawberries, a bottle of sparkling wine, a $25.00 breakfast in bed credit, a late hotel check-out at Noon and $10.00 in Free Slot Play, per guest and up to two guests only.
Spice up your day with the Valentine’s Day Rustic Kitchen Package with which you receive half a dozen chocolate covered strawberries, a bottle of sparkling wine, a $50.00 Rustic Kitchen dining credit, a $25.00 breakfast in bed credit, a late hotel check-out at Noon and $10.00 in Free Slot Play per guest and up to two guests only.
Spoil yourselves with the Romance Package and receive half a dozen chocolate covered strawberries, a $50.00 credit to enjoy at Spa Sapphire and $10.00 in Free Slot Play per guest and up to two guests only.
Choose the Chocolate Lover’s Package and you cannot go wrong! Enjoy half a dozen chocolate covered strawberries, a specialty chocolate lover’s basket, a $15.00 credit to Ben & Jerry’s and $10.00 in Free Slot Play per guest and up to two guests only.
All hotel packages must be booked three days in advance and are only valid for the month of February. Must be 21 years of age or older.
Enjoy the utmost in luxury with your Valentine at Spa Sapphire. Purchase a gift card from February 8th to February 13th and receive a $35.00 Beauty Voucher!
You can also treat yourself and your significant other to delectable Valentine’s Day dining specials at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs on February 14th!
Rustic Kitchen will be featuring a soup of seafood bisque, an appetizer of seafood tower with crab, shrimp, mango & avocado, entrées of surf & turf with crab stuffed lobster & filet mignon, seafood fradiavolo, stuffed chicken with chorizo sausage & cheeses and for dessert choose red velvet cake with cream cheese icing or chocolate covered strawberry champagne cheesecake.
At Betty & Joe’s, enter a drawing, Sweets for Two, for the chance to win two pastries and two coffees on us. Ben and Jerry’s will offer a buy one scoop, get one scoop free deal. And at Wetzel’s Pretzels, buy one pretzel, get the second for half price.
ABOUT MOHEGAN SUN AT POCONO DOWNS:
Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs, owned by the Mohegan Tribe of Indians of Connecticut is one of the most distinctive and spectacular entertainment, gaming, shopping and dining destinations in Pennsylvania. Situated on 400 acres in Plains, Pennsylvania, Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs features a 238-room hotel with on-site spa and adjacent 20,000 square-foot Convention Center. It is currently home to 82,000 square feet of gaming space including 91 live table games, 2,300 slot machines and electronic table games, a variety of dining and shopping options, nightlife, entertainment and live harness racing. Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs is within easy access of New York, Philadelphia, New Jersey and Delaware. More information is available by calling 1.888.WIN.IN.PA (1.888.946.4672) or visiting our website. Connect with us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, download our app and view us on YouTube.
Dec 1, 2014 | Uncategorized
Get ready to rock for the chance to win prizes and to open for a national headliner
WHAT:
Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs will host its 5th annual Battle of the Bands at Breakers every Thursday from March 12th – May 21st. Bands will compete for cash prizes, with a $10,000 Grand Prize for the #1 rock stars!
WHEN:
Bands have until January 30, 2014 to submit their application to enter the competition.
Battle of the Bands at Breakers
Thursdays, starting March 12, 2015
8:00pm – Midnight
IN DETAIL:
Is your band the best in the Northeast? Does your band have what it takes to reign supreme? Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs wants to know! The fifth annual Battle of the Bands competition kicks off on Thursday, March 12th at Breakers. Come cheer on the winning talent each week through May 21st!
From now until January 30th, enter for the chance to win incredible cash prizes! The grand prize winning band will take home $10,000 and a chance to open for a national headliner. The second place band will win $5,000, third place band wins $2,500 and the fourth place band wins $1,000.
For all bands interested in competing, please visit the event webpage for all submission requirements that will be accepted no later than 5:00pm on Friday, January 30, 2015. Thirty-two bands will be selected to compete in this year’s Battle of the Bands and will be notified by Friday, February 27th.
ABOUT MOHEGAN SUN AT POCONO DOWNS:
Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs, owned by the Mohegan Tribe of Indians of Connecticut is one of the most distinctive and spectacular entertainment, gaming, shopping and dining destinations in Pennsylvania. Situated on 400 acres in Plains, Pennsylvania, Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs features a 238-room hotel with on-site spa and adjacent 20,000 square foot Convention Center. It is currently home to 82,000 square feet of gaming space including 87 live table games, 2,300 slot machines and electronic table games, a variety of dining and shopping options, nightlife, entertainment and live harness racing. Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs is within easy access of New York, Philadelphia, New Jersey and Delaware. More information is available by calling 1.888.WIN.IN.PA (1.888.946.4672) or visiting our website. Connect with us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, download our app and view us on YouTube.
Dec 1, 2014 | Uncategorized
Ring in 2015 with fabulous parties and delicious holiday specials!
Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs is the place to be this New Year’s Eve. With festivities throughout the day, there is something for everyone with live music, champagne toasts and so much more.
Start the celebrations early with Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs’ Noon Year’s Eve. Enjoy the Noon Year’s Eve countdown and complimentary toast at Noon. Guests playing their favorite games at Noon will have a chance to be 1 of 5 players to win $2,015 in cash! Hats and noisemakers will be distributed at 11:00am and are available while supplies last.
Before the clock strikes Midnight, come ring in the New Year with Bash in the Ballroom in the Keystone Grand Ballroom from 10:00pm to 2:00am. Enjoy a free show by Face to Face, an Elton John and Billy Joel tribute band, and from 10:00pm to Midnight, there will be $2 Coors Light Drafts.
In addition, Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs will also be hosting a special Midnight champagne toast throughout the casino for guests 21 and older. Hats and noisemakers will be distributed at 10:00pm and are available while supplies last.
Live music will be available at other Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs venues on New Year’s Eve. Performances begin at 9:30pm and include Bad Hair Day at Breakers, Grace’s Downfall at Bar Louie and The Ruth’s Chris Jazz Trio at Ruth’s Chris Steak House. Or laugh your way into the New Year with a special NYE show at Wisecrackers Comedy Club featuring comedian, Paul Venier. Show starts at 9:00pm and tickets are $20.00
To see the party from last New Year’s Eve celebration at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs, watch the video here.
But that’s not all. Various restaurants and retailers will be offering specials throughout the day and night including Rustic Kitchen who will be hosting two New Year’s Eve Surf & Turf Holiday Live Cooking Shows at 5:00pm & 8:00pm. These shows will include an appetizer of Surf & Turf Spring Rolls and entrées of Filet Mignon Au Poivre and Lobster Thermidor. They will also be featuring a special menu which will include a Seafood Bisque Soup, Clams Casino or Beef Carpaccio for appetizers, Surf & Turf – filet mignon served with lobster tail with your choice of lump crabmeat stuffing or plain, potato or vegetable or Veal Chop – choice of Oscar style or with a portabella mushroom wine demiglaze for entrées.
Other restaurants are also offering deals during the holidays, including Ruth’s Chris Steak House where you will receive 10% back in Bonus Cards with a purchase $250.00 or more in Gift Cards! These are available until January 17, 2015. Ruth’s Chris Steak House will be open regular hours Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. At Wetzel’s Pretzel’s, purchase any pretzel on New Year’s Eve and receive the second for 1/2 price!
And lastly for dining deals, purchase any featured pastry Betty & Joe’s and get a medium coffee for $1.00 on New Year’s Eve.
Along with the exciting parties and dining specials at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs, Spa Sapphire is celebrating New Year’s Eve and Day by offering a special Sapphire Caviar & Diamond Manicure & Pedicure for $500. You can also enjoy an Aveda Signature Aroma Scalp Massage with specialty hair style, complete Long-Wear Aveda Makeover and an Aveda Signature Aroma Manicure for just $85.00 this New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.
ABOUT MOHEGAN SUN AT POCONO DOWNS:
Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs, owned by the Mohegan Tribe of Indians of Connecticut is one of the most distinctive and spectacular entertainment, gaming, shopping and dining destinations in Pennsylvania. Situated on 400 acres in Plains, Pennsylvania, Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs features a 238-room hotel with on-site spa and adjacent 20,000 square foot Convention Center. It is currently home to 82,000 square feet of gaming space including 87 live table games, 2,300 slot machines and electronic table games, a variety of dining and shopping options, nightlife, entertainment and live harness racing. Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs is within easy access of New York, Philadelphia, New Jersey and Delaware. More information is available by calling 1.888.WIN.IN.PA (1.888.946.4672) or visiting our website. Connect with us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, download our app and view us on YouTube.
