Jul 11, 2018 | Racing
The harness racing stars of tomorrow are coming! The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono, in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Harness Horsemen’s Association, are welcoming the Harness Horse Youth Foundation Camp to the track in Wilkes Barre, PA from Tuesday, July 17 to Saturday, July 21st.
Seven girls and three boys between the ages of 12 and 14 will be spending the week learning all about harness racing while working hands-on with the HHYF’s stable of Trottingbred horses. They will learn all about the care and grooming, equipment, conformation, lameness, history, stable management, and equine careers. The camp director, Ellen Taylor, and her counselors, are assisted by Pocono horsemen who volunteer their time for the week with the various learning activities.
Also during the week, the campers enjoy several other events, including a night watching the live harness racing action; riding in the starting gate and learning about the duties performed by the starter judge and other track personnel; as well as fun activities after hours, including bowling and a pool party. The camp concludes on Saturday, July 21st with three exciting races on the famous Pocono oval with the children accompanied by Pocono drivers. Approximate Post Time for the races is 5:15pm, with an awards ceremony in the Hanover Shoe Farms Winner’s Circle after the races. All in all, it is a week filled with lots of hard work…and fun!
This year, nine children are from Luzerne and Lackawanna counties in Pennsylvania, and one of the campers is from Massachusetts. This camp is one of several across the country being conducted by HHYF this summer.
The Harness Horse Youth Foundation is a charitable 501(c)3 organization dedicated to providing young people and their families educational opportunities with harness horses, in order to foster the next generation of participants and fans. The Foundation was established in 1976 and its programs include interactive learning experiences with these versatile animals, scholarship programs and educational materials. For more information on opportunities through HHYF and its mission, go to www.hhyf.org.
Oct 14, 2013 | Racing
Owners with horses entered in the Breeders Crown finals on Saturday (Oct. 19) are reminded to call the PHHA offices at 570.831.2129 to confirm their clubhouse dining arrangements.
Please do not assume that a table will be automatically reserved. One table of four may be reserved per horse entered.
For those who wish to accommodate additional guests, limited seating is still available in the horsemen’s VIP tent. Tickets are $40 per person and include buffet dinner and program.
Jan 4, 2013 | Racing
Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs is getting ready for what will be their biggest season ever with the addition of three big races for late summer.
In addition to the Breeders Crown, scheduled for Saturday, October 19th; and the Ben Franklin, Earl Beal, Jr. Memorial Trot, the Max Hempt, and the James Lynch set for June; the track in Northeast PA is proud to add the prestigious Super Stakes races from Harrah’s Philadelphia to their stakes schedule. The Colonial; Battle of Brandywine; and the Valley Forge will take their spot two weeks after the Hambletonian on Saturday, August 17th.
The decision to change the schedule, which will see these races alternate between Harrah’s Philadelphia and Pocono from year to year, was made by the Pennsylvania Harness Horsemen’s Association, which controls the stakes schedules at both tracks. According to PHHA President Sam Beegle, the move will make it easier to keep the purse account in check.
Ron Battoni, Executive Director of the PHHA, also cited the recent renovations to the racing apron to Pocono as a plus. “They put $300,000 last year into the apron to level it. They can put tables and tents, as well as outdoor vendors and betting windows.”
At a press conference for the Breeders Crown last fall, Sam Beegle announced a bonus of $1 million if the same horse wins the Earl Beal Jr. Memorial Trot; the Colonial Trot; and the Breeders Crown 3-Year-Old Trot.
Racing opens for the 48th season at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs on Saturday, March 23rd, and continues until November 16th.
Jan 4, 2013 | Racing
The exciting Breeders Crown series will be held once again at the record-breaking Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs 5/8 mile red oval on Saturday, October 19, 2013.
The historic track held the series in October of 2010, and was the first track to host all 12 races, worth $6 million, in one night. Crowds from as far away as Canada, California, and Florida lined the apron to witness history in the making and several world records.
“Due to the huge success of 2010, we are excited to host the 2013 Breeders Crown”, said Vice President of Racing Operations, Dale Rapson. “The Hambletonian Society Board of Directors have stated that they felt that the 2010 Breeders Crown, held at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs, was one of the most successful ever held. They are as enthusiastic to come back as we are to have them. Of course, this cannot have happened without the ongoing support, participation, and cooperation of the Pennsylvania Harness Horsemen’s Association.”
Tom Charters, President of the Hambletonian Society, was equally enthusiastic about the partnership. “The opportunity to return to Pocono Downs in 2013 is very exciting,”, he said. “ Mohegan Sun and the Pennsylvania horsemen (PHHA) were terrific hosts in 2010. Building on that memorable record-breaking night, the Hambletonian Society is looking forward to partnering with them again on what will be a spectacular event for the entire harness industry.”
Sam Beegle, President of the Pennsylvania Harness Horsemen’s Association, announced that the PHHA would award a $1 million bonus if the same horse wins the Earl Beal, Jr. Memorial Trot, the Colonial Trot, and the Breeders Crown 3-Year-Old Colt Trot.
The 29-year-old Breeders Crown series has typically crowned champions in every division for trotters and pacers and been the deciding factor in Horse of the Year honors. A Breeders Crown title has become one of the most coveted honors in harness racing. The series has encompassed the entire North American continent and reflected the ambience and local flavor of each of the host markets.
Sep 16, 2011 | Racing
The best of the best in Pennsylvania will battle it out for bragging rights, plus a share of $50,000 in total prize monies, at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs on Saturday, October 15th.
The East Meets West Driving Challenge will bring the four leading drivers from The Meadows –Dave Palone, Brett Miller, Tony Hall and Eric Ledford – to Pocono Downs where they’ll face off against Matt Kakaley, George Napolitano Jr., Tyler Buter and Joe Pavia Jr. The host track picked a ninth “wild card” driver in Mike Simons, who will join the Pocono team. Drivers will pick one race, while the rest will be drawn, and a points system will be used for scoring. Participants have agreed to donate 10% of the night’s prize winnings to the Northeastern Pennsylvania affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Foundation for the Cure (komenpa.org) to benefit breast cancer research and Marley’s Mission (marleysmission.com), a non-profit provider of equine-based therapy to children who have experienced trauma.
“As the season winds down we look for ways to keep fans involved, and this is a fun way to give them something extra to root for,” said Sam Beegle, president of the Pennsylvania Harness Horsemen’s Association. “It also gives us an opportunity to expand harness racing’s contribution to breast cancer research beyond the Mildred Williams Driving Series while also supporting another charity, Marley’s Mission, at the same time.”
About the Pennsylvania Harness Horsemen’s Association
Founded in 1967, the Pennsylvania Harness Horsemen’s Association (PHHA) is a trade group that promotes the development of harness racing in Pennsylvania. The organization represents horsemen at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs and Harrah’s Chester Casino & Racetrack. Its mission is to provide a stable foundation for horsemen by encouraging competitive racing that increases fan participation and enhances the reputation of Pennsylvania harness racing on the national scene. Headquartered in suburban Harrisburg, the PHHA maintains branch offices at the tracks it represents. The website is www.pahha.com.
