Jun 16, 2015 | Racing
The chalk took it on the chin Sunday night, June 14th, at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono, as non-favorites won all five divisions of a $100,000 Stallion Series third preliminary legfor sophomore trotting colts.
Driver Matt Kakaley and trainer Frank Antonacci teamed to take two of the five divisions, the first one and the last one held, and in the Stallion opener their horse posted the fastest time of the Sunday stakes, with Mesmerized scoring in 1:53.4. The son of Cantab Hall went wire-to-wire in winning by seven lengths and taking a new mark for owners K R Breeding, Robert Rudolph, Gary Hoffman (these three were also the breeders) and Barry Guariglia.
Kakaley also tallied with another Antonacci trainee, the Cantab Hall gelding Paging Doctorlindy, who has now made two house calls to the winners circle in but three starts in 1:57.2, a personal best. The good Doctor was up by a neck after a pocket trip for the Lindy Racing Stable (also the breeder), Elizabeth Caldwell, and repeat winning owner Robert Rudolph.
Two winners took maiden victories in the Sunday Stallion competition. They were the Yankee Glide colt Pierre, making every pole a winning one in 1:55.2 for driver Rick Zeron, trainer Jonas Czernyson, and the Consus Racing Stable Inc., and Colbert, giving Cantab Hall a third siring credit with a 1:55 victory for trainer/driver Åke Svanstedt and owners Courant A B and Knutson Trotting Inc.
The other section went to the Explosive Matter gelding Jacksons Minion, exploding out of the pocket to win by open lengths in a personal best of 1:55.4 for driver/trainer/namesake/part-owner Tom Jackson and fellow owners Howard and Judy Taylor.
Jun 16, 2015 | Racing
2014 trotting colt champion Pinkman and Jimmy Takter stablemate Uncle Lasse are now perfect in three Pennsylvania Sire Stakes starts this year after capturing their divisions of the $223,617 three-year-old trotting colt third prelim June 13th, Saturday night, at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono. In the third section, Wicker Hanover, the only non-Takterite to win in 10 cuts of this event in 2015, made it two straight wins with a hard-earned nose victory that prevented a Team Takter sweep.
Uncle Lasse was the fastest divisional Sire Stakes winner for the second straight round of prelims, following up on his 1:51.4 win at The Meadows with a 1:52.2 tally Saturday at Pocono. Driver Brett Miller tucked the son of Donato Hanover in fourth, then quarter-moved him to the top, and a 55.4 last half left the rest of the field far in arrears. The brother to 2014 Trotter of the Year Shake It Cerry is owned by Solveig’s Racing Partners.
Pinkman continued to exhibit championship form, as the Explosive Matter gelding went wire-to-wire for Miller/Takter in 1:53. He won by 1¾ lengths over last year’s 2YO Sire Stakes champion Billy Flynn, making his seasonal debut, with Jim Morrill Jr. picking up the drive behind Billy Flynn, whom Miller drove regularly last year. Christina Takter, John & Jim Fielding, Herb Liverman, and Joyce McClelland share ownership of the horse many feel to be the Hambletonian favorite (or is that the male Hambletonian favorite?).
Wicker Hanover took a Sire Stakes cut at The Meadows, and he made a return visit to Victory Lane at Pocono, making a sweeping move off cover to the midstretch lead. But anybody who’s seen the TV show Breaking Bad knows there’s drama afoot whenever Walter White’s around, and indeed that Takter-trained colt, on Wicker’s back most of the way, came flying late to be just nosed out. Wicker Hanover, who gave Explosive Matter two of the three Sires siring credits, equaled his lifetime best of 1:53 with the tight triumph for driver Andrew McCarthy, trainer Noel Daley, and the Christer Haggstrom Racing Stable Inc.
Jun 16, 2015 | 50th anniversary of racing, Breaking News, Entertainment, Gaming, Hot Summer Fun, Keystone Grand Ballroom, Party on the Patio, Racing, Reality Check, Special Events, Terrace
Celebrate all season long with sizzling live entertainment, hot cash prizes and electrifying fireworks shows
WILKES-BARRE, PA (June 15, 2015) – Summer is finally here, and Mohegan Sun Pocono is turning up the heat with Hot Summer Fun celebrations all season long! This year’s celebrations start on July 1st and are hotter than ever, with new chances to win every day through August 31st.
Scratch Mania Wednesdays
Every Wednesday, the first 500 guests to earn a Momentum Status Point starting at the stated time will get to play Scratch Mania! Pick up a scratch card at any Player’s Club booth and reveal the lucky symbols to win up to $25,000 cash. Best of all, every ticket is a winner! Times vary by week, so visit the website for more information.
Boardwalk Surprise Fridays
The fun continues on Fridays, as five lucky guests each hour between 2:00pm and 10:00pm sitting in a Hot Seat at their favorite slot machine or table game will be called to the Boardwalk, where they can spin the giant prize wheel for a chance to win BIG by playing classic carnival or TV games!
Win Some Wheels Saturdays
Play more, win more! All summer long Mohegan Sun Pocono is giving away some hot new wheels to two lucky guests! The more you play, the better your chances to drive away in a 2015 Subaru Cross Trek on July 25th or a 2015 BMW on August 29th.
Simply play your favorite games on Saturdays (excluding the last Saturday of each month) and earn Personal Achievement Awards to be entered into the drawing. Then on the last Saturday of each month (July 25th and August 29th), activate entries at any kiosk from 2:00pm to 6:00pm and get ready to rev up your summer in your new car with the grand prizes awarded at 7:00pm each day! Nineteen additional winners will be awarded Free Slot Play and more.
There’s even more action on Saturdays at Mohegan Sun Pocono during Hot Summer Fun. Every Saturday (excluding the last Saturday of each month) from 2:00pm to 6:00pm, one lucky guest every 15 minutes will be randomly selected to win $250 in Free Slot Play just by playing their favorite slots. Play more, win more all summer long at Mohegan Sun Pocono!
Win a Trip Around The Sun
Every day in July and August, enter a drawing to win $3,000 cash and a trip to all three luxurious Mohegan Sun properties just by having fun at the Sun! Simply complete and submit a punch card and drop it into the mystery box—it’s that easy! All participants who complete a punch card will win $25.00 in Free Slot Play, and on August 31st one lucky winner will be chosen to win the cash prize and a trip Around The Sun!
Anything Can Happen!
Yes—ANYTHING! Any time, any day, anyone can be a surprise winner just by being in the right place at the right time! From 10am to 8pm each day, randomly selected lucky guests will win great prizes including gift cards, cash, Free Slot Play, lottery tickets and more. Anything Can Happen and it WILL, all summer long during Hot Summer Fun!
Turn Up The Heat With Live Entertainment All Summer
Dance the night away at Party on the Patio, with live entertainment every Thursday night on the track apron. Enjoy the nation’s best tribute bands, $2.00 Coors Light drafts, Absolut cocktails and a breathtaking view of NEPA scenery. Doors open at 6:00pm every Thursday through September 3rd, with live music starting at 7:30pm.
Don’t miss the chance to be a Rock star during Party on the Patio’s Lip Sync Battle. Each week starting July 2nd, six contestants will lip sync to their favorite tunes to compete for the weekly prize and a chance for the grand prize on September 3rd. Crowd noise helps the judges determine the finalists each week, so get ready to cheer on your favorite contestant to win each week!
Ready to keep the party rolling? Shake things up every Thursday night after Party on the Patio at After Party in Breakers for even more live entertainment and great drink specials. The fun goes well into the night all summer long at Mohegan Sun Pocono.
Summer is hotter than ever in the Keystone Grand Ballroom as Mohegan Sun Pocono welcomes The Midtown Men on July 25th, The Doobie Brothers on August 1st and Shawn Klush, known as the “World’s Greatest Elvis,” on August 22nd and 23rd. Tickets are available for all shows by logging on to ticketmaster.com; calling Ticketmaster’s national toll free Charge By Phone number at 1.800.745.3000; or visiting any Ticketmaster outlet. Tickets are also available for purchase, free of service fees, at the Mohegan Sun Pocono Box Office.
But that’s not all! Kick up your heels at The Terrace and enjoy free live music every Friday and Saturday from 6:00pm to 8:00pm. Relax at this cozy outdoor venue with comfortable seating around an open fire and a private bar. It’s a great place to unwind after a long week and get the weekend started!
Sizzling Summer Fireworks
Celebrate Independence Day weekend with a bang with a fireworks extravaganza at 9:30pm on Sunday, July 5th, at the conclusion of an action-packed night of harness racing. Then, on Saturday, August 22nd, celebrate Mohegan Sun Pocono’s 50th anniversary of racing with an exhilarating fireworks spectacular set to being at approximately 10:30pm at the conclusion of evening racing.
Bring the family to see these spectacular displays ignite the sky. These events are free and open to all ages, and food and beverages will be available to purchase.
Celebrating 50 Years of Harness Racing
2015 marks the 50th year of harness racing at Mohegan Sun Pocono, and we are celebrating in style! From August 16th through August 22nd visit The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono for a week-long anniversary celebration, including a Reality Check event with dance partners Chris Soules of The Bachelor and Witney Carson of Dancing with the Stars on Wednesday, August 19th; Party on the Patio with Almost Queen on Thursday, August 20th; a Motown concert on the track apron on Friday, August 21st; a fireworks extravaganza on Saturday, August 22nd and so much more! Watch for details as we add more exciting events to our 50th anniversary celebration all summer long.
For complete details on all promotions and events, visit mohegansunpocono.com.
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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.
Jun 10, 2015 | Racing
The third preliminary round of the Pennsylvania Sire Stakes for three-year-old colt and gelding trotters will be the headliner at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono on Saturday night, June 13th, with three fields of nine entered in the $223,617 event.
So far this year, “3YO trotting colts in PaSS events” has been almost the same as writing “success for Team Takter,” as the barn of the Hall of Fame won six of the seven sections offered at Harrah’s Philadelphia and The Meadows. The only winner from the “outside world,” Wicker Hanover, has drawn post three in the fourth race first division for driver Andrew McCarthy and trainer Noel Daley. The son of Explosive Matter followed up a second in the first Sires leg with a 1:53 “pocket rocket” triumph, and he may be a major threat to total Takter dominance.
Walter White will carry the hopes of the Takter barn in this division, although he was off the board in the first two legs. But the son of Cantab Hall refamiliarized himself with trotting hopples in a 1:54.3 Meadowlands qualifying win, and could get going here despite post eight. Brett Miller is listed to drive all four of Takter’s entrants throughout the three cuts.
The sixth race second division finds 2014 divisional champion Pinkman looking to run his seasonal tally to 3 for 3, with the altered son of Explosive Matter drawing the midpoint of the starting gate after open-length wins in Sires starts. He will be coupled in the wagering with Whom Shall I Fear, the full brother to Father Patrick, who has drawn post seven.
Making his 2015 seasonal debut in this division is the Cantab Hall colt Billy Flynn, who won all four of his preliminaries and then the Championship in the PA program last year for trainer Staffan Lind. One note of drama – Brett Miller was the regular driver of Billy Flynn last year, and is down on the early sheet to handle him Saturday night. He’ll have to get off somebody …
Miller was behind the Donato Hanover colt Uncle Lasse when that colt exploded to a 1:51.4 win last time out at The Meadows, also making him 2 for 2 in the Sires. The full brother to 2014 Trotter of the Year Shake It Cerry has drawn post seven; starting one notch inside him is the horse who came within a half-length of beating him at The Meadows, Cruzado Dela Noche (Andrew McCarthy), who is trained by … Jimmy Takter’s daughter, Nancy Johannson!
Any number of scenarios could play out in these interesting Sire Stakes matchups Saturday at Pocono, where the first of 14 races is scheduled to go to the track at 6:30 p.m. The night after, Sunday, June 14th, Pocono will host the Stallion Series events for this group.
Jun 10, 2015 | Racing
A specially-formatted 16-race card was featured on Belmont Day, June 6th, at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono, with four races held before the historic doings in Elmont NY and then the remainder starting after the big race.
The race attracting the most attention was the tenth race (held in the evening portion), a $30,000 Open pace, and there was “dancin’ in the moonlight” as 2014 Pennsylvania Pacer of the Year Dancin Yankee never looked back in a 1:48.3 victory, going out in 26 and coming home in 26.4 firmly in control. George Napolitano Jr., king of the local driving colony again this year, was named on four horses in the race, and he picked the right one as the son of Yankee Cruiser raised his lifetime earnings harvest over $1.2M for trainer Josh Green and owners Baron Racing Stable and Richard Lombardo.
In the other $30,000 Open pace, Big Boy Dreams marked himself as a 4-year-old to watch as he reduced his mark to 1:49.4 in taking another $30,000 Open pacing contest. The son of If I Can Dream made the front just past the ¼ for driver Simon Allard, set the pace, then rocketed home in 26.4 for his second straight victory after a third-place finish in the Confederation Cup Final. Trainer Rene Allard shares ownership of the winner of over half a million dollars with Robert Hamather and Mary Lou Poliseno.
The ladies were in the spotlight in the last race of the “early” card and the first race of the “later” card.
In the last race held before the Belmont, Blue Chip Matchmaker winner Venus Delight asserted a claim to be the leader of the older female division with a 1:50.2 decision in a $30,000 mares handicap pace, despite not having started since her victory in the Yonkers series final on April 25. But the daughter of Bettor’s Delight and driver Jason Bartlett had to work hard for the top money, rallying out of the pocket to catch perhaps the most-improved horse of 2015, Ooh Bad Shark, to tally by a head after grabbing the lead with about 100 feet to go. The winner, who set a personal mark, is trained by Jeff Bamond Jr. for owners Bamond Racing LLC – who might get a fifth straight older pacing mares yearly title, with Anndrovette having won in the last four seasons.
After American Pharoah won the Belmont and the first thoroughbred Triple Crown in 37 years, the Broadway Hall mare Frau Blucher went 34 4/5 seconds faster in winning, capturing a $30,000 open trot while defeating six males and two females in 1:51.4, 2/5 of a second off her mark and the 4TM world record she set at The Downs last year. Frau Blucher, driven by George Napolitano Jr. for trainer Chris Oakes, made every pole a winning one while raising her career bankroll to $976,932 for owners Hauser Brothers Racing Enterprises LLC and Susan Oakes. (And she’d be over $1M right now but for an inch, as she was deadheated for the win by stablemate Classic Martine in the world record-DH PA Sire Stakes 3TF Championship race in 2013.)
–On this 16-race card, two drivers won ten of the races, and only five drivers in all won: George Napolitano Jr. and Simon Allard both had five victories (four of Allard’s were trained by brother Rene); Jason Bartlett had 3, Anthony Napolitano had 2, and Marcus Miller had 1.
—There were a total of seven miles in 1:50 or better on the card, topped by Dancin Yankee’s 1:48.3; among the drivers, George Nap had three, and Allard two.
Jun 8, 2015 | Entertainment, Hot Summer Fun, Keystone Grand Ballroom, Special Events
Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist to perform on August 22nd and 23rd
WILKES-BARRE, PA (June 8, 2015) – The Elvis Tribute Artist Spectacular featuring Shawn Klush and The Sweet Inspirations is back by popular demand, bringing their electrifying magic to Mohegan Sun Pocono’s Keystone Grand Ballroom on August 22nd and 23rd.
Klush, a native of Pittston, Pennsylvania and known as the “World’s Greatest Elvis,” will be backed by Elvis’s own backup singers, The Sweet Inspirations. Klush has been recognized worldwide for his renowned Elvis impersonation, including his sultry looks, energetic vocal style and swaying hips, and has long performed alongside Elvis’s closest friends, musicians and singers.
Tickets for the Saturday, August 22nd dinner show at 8:00pm are $175.00 and $125.00 (minimum purchase of two tickets required) and include a three-course gourmet meal inspired by the King himself (details at mohegansunpocono.com). Tickets for the Sunday, August 23rd concert at 8:00pm are $60.00, $30.00 and $20.00. All tickets will go on sale on Friday, June 12th at 10:00am through Ticketmaster. Ticketmaster customers may purchase tickets by logging on to ticketmaster.com; calling Ticketmaster’s national toll free Charge By Phone number at 1.800.745.3000; or visiting any Ticketmaster outlet. Tickets will also be available for purchase, free of service fees, at the Mohegan Sun Pocono Box Office.
The Saturday dinner show is restricted to ages 21 and over; all ages are welcome at the Sunday concert.
Klush has received numerous awards and accolades for his performances including being named champion of the World Elvis Tribute Artist competition, “Best Concert Elvis” by Gibson Guitar Company, “World’s Greatest Elvis” by BBC1 Television in the United Kingdom, and the “Worldwide Ambassador of Elvis” award and “Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist” by Elvis Presley Enterprises. Klush was a featured performer on The Late Show with David Letterman, starred as Elvis in the Legends in Concert shows in Las Vegas and Atlantic City and is a well-known, recurring performer at official Elvis festivals worldwide, including in Memphis, Tennessee, known as the home of Elvis.
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.
Jun 5, 2015 | Community Relations, Gaming
Benefits The NASCAR Foundation and the Jeff Gordon Children’s Foundation
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Pocono Raceway Contact: Kevin Heaney, 570-646-2300, [email protected]
The NASCAR Foundation Contact: Marivi Bryant, 704-348-9735 [email protected]
Jeff Gordon Children’s Foundation Contact: Rachelle Thompson, [email protected]
LONG POND, PA (June 6, 2015) – Pocono Raceway announced today the Fourth Annual Pocono Poker Tournament, benefitting The NASCAR Foundation and the Jeff Gordon Children’s Foundation, will be held at Mohegan Sun Pocono in Wilkes-Barre, PA, on Thursday, July 30. The event, taking place prior to the July 31-August 2 Pennsylvania 400 race weekend, will feature NASCAR drivers and celebrities, among them Jeff Gordon, Rusty Wallace and race fans.
A limited number of playing spots are available. Fans can choose from four donation options: A $250 donation offers a pre-tournament, VIP meet-and-greet with drivers and celebrities on hand as well as entry to participate in the Poker Tournament; a $150 donation offers entry into pre-event VIP reception and attendance at the event as a spectator; a $100 donation reserves a seat in the poker tournament; and a $50 donation allows for fans to attend the event as spectators. The top-finishing fan will receive a choice between two exciting prizes – a VIP Race Experience at Pocono Raceway or a VIP Stay and Play Experience at Mohegan Sun.
To register for the Pocono Poker Tournament, fans can visit NASCARfoundation.org.
“The Pocono Poker Tournament is such a blast,” said Pocono Raceway President/CEO, Brandon Igdalsky. “It has been a pleasure working with The NASCAR Foundation the last three years. I’m especially excited to have the Jeff Gordon Children’s Foundation involved in year number four as Jeff (Gordon) prepares for his final full-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season as a driver. We are also so thankful for Mohegan Sun Pocono for hosting this event year after year. The tournament gives fans the unique chance to play poker alongside some of NASCAR’s elite, such as Jeff and Rusty (Wallace), Pocono staff members and other NASCAR celebrities. We hope this year will be even bigger than the last and we look forward to seeing everyone there on July 30 in support of two amazing charities.”
Proceeds from this year’s event will help The NASCAR Foundation and the Jeff Gordon Children’s Foundation. This year, The NASCAR Foundation seeks to impact 10,000 students nationwide through its Classroom Donation Program–providing innovative technological resources that equip teachers with the tools they need to educate and inspire their students!
“I enjoy playing poker, and I look forward to this event that benefits two great charities,” said Gordon. “We have accomplished so much with the Jeff Gordon Children’s Foundation, but there is still so much more to do in the battle against pediatric cancer.
“Thanks to Brandon and his staff for this fun opportunity that allows us to raise awareness and funds in this important battle.”
“We are delighted to once again partner with our friends at Pocono Raceway to host the Fourth Annual Pocono Poker Tournament at Mohegan Sun Pocono,” said Mike Bean, President of Mohegan Sun Pocono. “The NASCAR Foundation and the Jeff Gordon Children’s Foundation are both causes we are so proud to support.”
Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
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About Pocono Raceway
Pocono Raceway, also known as “The Tricky Triangle,” is family-owned and situated in the beautiful Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania. In business for over 50 years, the Raceway hosts multiple, national motorsports events including two NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, one Verizon IndyCar Series, one NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, two ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards and one Indy Lights Series presented by Cooper Tires events each year. The Raceway has added multiple running series events to their annual schedule including the Tough Mudder and the Warrior Dash. Pocono Raceway is the world’s largest solar-powered sports facility with a 25-acre, three-megawatt solar farm providing the energy needs of the Raceway, as well as, adding electricity to the local power grid. For more information, please visit www.poconoraceway.com.
About The NASCAR Foundation
The NASCAR Foundation is dedicated to helping children learn how to win, both inside and outside of the classroom, through a variety of educational opportunities. Since 2006, The NASCAR Foundation has committed more than $20 Million dollars to initiatives that inspire children around the country to live, learn and play. Evidence of The NASCAR Foundation’s impact can be found on the smiles of thousands of children attending school that now have innovative technological resources inside the classroom, receiving care in its Speediatrics hospital units and exploring the behind-the-scenes world of NASCAR during race weekends. The NASCAR Foundation’s impact can also be seen through the Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award which honors the spirit of volunteerism that drives the NASCAR community. For more information on The NASCAR Foundation, please visit the website: NASCARfoundation.org. Follow The NASCAR Foundation on www.Facebook.com/NASCARFoundation or on Twitter: @NASCAR_FDN.
About the Jeff Gordon Children’s Foundation
Jeff Gordon Children’s Foundation was established as a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization in 1999 by the four-time NASCAR Cup Series champion. The Foundation supports children battling cancer by funding programs that improve patients’ quality of life, treatment programs that increase survivorship, and pediatric medical research dedicated to finding a cure. The Foundation also supports the Jeff Gordon Children’s Hospital in Concord, NC which serves children in the community by providing a high level of primary and specialty pediatric care. We are proud to support a quality health care facility dedicated to compassionate care and medical excellence for children. For more information visit www.jeffgordonchildrensfoundation.org.
Jun 5, 2015 | Racing
As the nation waits for American Pharoah to hit the track for the 147th Belmont Stakes, the party at the Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono will be in full swing!
The huge celebration gets underway at 2:00pm with all patio bars and trackside concession bars opening for the day. The Downs is planning an early Post Time of 3:30pm with four races, and continuing with 12 more after the Belmont; in anticipation of the great card, a special promo for the fans will take place at 2:00pm. The first 250 fans with a Racing Rewards card and valid ID will receive a $10 live racing wager good for races 5-16, with an approximate Post Time of 7:15pm. (One per fan, while supplies last.)
Food trucks will be scattered throughout the apron, with the popular What The Fork; Wandering Chef; Doc Popcorn; and Johnny Rockets all opening at 3:00pm with dozens of food items available to fans.
Don’t forget to grab a Belmont Breeze, the official drink of the 3rd jewel of the Triple Crown, in a souvenir glass, available at all racing bars!
There will be plenty of seats on the apron for fans to watch the races on the jumbo screen, as well as inside the spacious simulcast room.
Racing continues Sunday evening, as well, with a Post Time of 6:30pm.
Jun 3, 2015 | Racing
George Napolitano Jr., solidifying his leader atop the drivers standings at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono, took both $25,000 features this Saturday night, with pacer Bandolito and trotter Frau Blucher justifying their odds-on status by scoring over a track rerated to “sloppy” after midcard rains.
Bandolito was moved to the front by “George Nap” after the 26.4 opener in his contest, put up a midway split of 54.1, and saw first-over Scott Rocks coming to him towards the 1:21.1 3/4s. In the stretch Scott Rocks was gaining throughout, but Bandolito, a son of Ponder, was kept alive to win by a head in 1:49.2 in the off going. Trainer/owner Daryl Bier will be happy to receive the news as he probably did not watch the race live, since post time was at 3:20 a.m. in Sweden, where Bier is preparing Wind Of The North for Sunday’s Elitloppet.
Napolitano completed the chalk feature double by guiding the world champion Broadway Hall mare Frau Blucher to a 1:55 win in the off going. Frau Blucher let the field settle, was moved by Napolitano to the lead after the first turn, “stole” a 58 first half, and then powered home in 57 to tally easily for trainer Chris Oakes and the ownership combine of Susan Oakes and Hauser Brothers Racing Enterprises LLC.
Any potential the features had to produce a really fast mile was washed out by the midevening rain, but to show the speed potential the track had at card’s start: three of the first six races featured an opening quarter of less than 26 seconds, and one of 26 flat.
Jun 3, 2015 | Racing
The Napolitano brothers accounted for the sulky success in the $22,000 twin features Saturday nigh, May 23, t at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono, with Anthony taking the trot with Swishnflick in 1:54 and then George winning the pace with Scott Rocks in 1:50.1.
The Kadabra mare Swishnflick was sent right to the top in the trotting headliner, putting down fractions of 28.1, 57.4, and 1:26 for “Ant’ny Nap.” There turned out to be only one stretch challenger for Swishnflick – the pocketsitter My Love Bi, driven by brother George – and the latter pair were closing outside the leader with every stride, but Swishnflick held together gamely to the wire to get the nose nod for win for trainer Gus Scarpias and owner Kenneth Westerside.
“Pocket rocket” tactics proved more profitable for “George Nap” and Scott Rocks in the pacing feature. The pair quarter-moved after a 26.4 opener; as soon as they made the top, Great Artist completed a huge move (26.1 individual second quarter) to go by before the half in 54, and keeping the lead through a 1:22.3 three quarters clocking. The right-hand linetug at headstretch worked better for “GNap” in this event, as he rallied Scott Rocks, an altered son of Rocknroll Hanover, to catch Great Artist by a neck for trainer Chris Oakes and owners Susan Oakes and Chuck Pompey.
