Apr 2, 2024 | Entertainment, Food & Beverage, Gaming, General News, Party on the Patio, Racing, Special Events, Sports
Food trucks, mint juleps, contests, promotions, live music and much more to take place on Saturday, May 4th
WILKES-BARRE, PA (April 2, 2024) – With the 150th Kentucky Derby taking place on Saturday, May 4th, Mohegan Pennsylvania is set to host a Kentucky Derby Party like never before! Beginning at 2:00pm, this annual event will provide guests with an opportunity to indulge in delicious bites, try various alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, participate in a Hat Revue for a chance to win up to a $500 Mohegan Pennsylvania gift card and join in on a promotion where guests can win up to $1,000 in free wagers. Additionally, a special edition of Party on the Patio will take place after the race! There is no cover for the Kentucky Derby Party and Party on the Patio.
The Kentucky Derby Party will feature Coors Light, Blue Moon, a variety of seltzers, spirits and non-alcoholic beverages. Guests can also enjoy the official cocktail of the Kentucky Derby, the Mint Julep, with an opportunity to upgrade to a specialty 150th Anniversary Kentucky Derby glass while supplies last. Those looking to grab a quick bite can head over to the Burger Bus and Eat Up Now food trucks where a variety of mouthwatering options will be available. Guests can stop by the Best Cigar Pub booth where a live cigar roller will be in action and a selection of cigars will be available for purchase. Additionally, guests can relax and listen to acoustic music by Ken Norton from 2:00pm – 6:00pm.
Throughout the day, the Spa Sapphire team will be set up in the racing lobby and assisting guests with Derby Day essentials. Additionally, guests can explore Spa Sapphire’s exquisite five-star services and plan a day of luxurious self-care.
The Hat Revue is back, and guests have an opportunity to compete for lucrative prizes! Registration for the Hat Revue will be from 4:00pm – 6:00pm in the racing lobby. Top prizes include a $500 Mohegan Pennsylvania gift card that will be awarded to the “Best Couple” or “Group Themed Hats”. Winners of the “Most Classic Derby Hat” and “Most Creative Hat” categories will each receive a $250 Mohegan Pennsylvania gift card. Mohegan Pennsylvania gift cards can be redeemed towards an overnight stay, divine dining choices and incredible shopping selections across the property.
Beginning at 10:00am on Friday, May 3rd, Mohegan Pennsylvania will accept advanced Kentucky Derby wagers in Simulcast and tellers will be available to assist. Beginning at 10:00am on Saturday, May 4th, Simulcast will be self-service but guests can place wagers with tellers at the upper-level Pacer’s Clubhouse betting windows. No live harness racing meets are scheduled for May 4th but Simulcast wagering will be available for all tracks with live meets including Churchill Downs throughout the day. All guests must be 18 years or older to place wagers at the indoor Simulcast location.
Mohegan Pennsylvania is holding a promotion where guests who wager $100 or more with a teller on any race will receive one entry for every $100 wagered. Guests must place these entries into one of the 20 boxes located in the racing lobby based on who they think will win the Kentucky Derby. At approximately 6:57pm, the Kentucky Derby will begin, televised on the outdoor jumbo screen and indoor racing TVs. At the conclusion of the race, four winners will be selected out of the corresponding boxes of the official top four finishers. The selected first-place box winner will receive $1,000 in free wagers valid for Preakness Stakes on Saturday, May 18th. Second – fourth place winners will receive $500, $250 and $100 in free wagers, respectively.
Immediately following the end of the Kentucky Derby broadcast, The River 105 and 103.5’s DJ Tommy will take the stage to emcee Party on the Patio. This special edition Party on the Patio will take place from 7:30pm – 10:00pm and will feature Philadelphia Freedom, a tribute to Elton John. Mohegan Pennsylvania recently announced that this year’s Party on the Patio will feature a record-breaking 22 weeks of shows. For more information, visit moheganpa.com/potp.
Guests must be 21 years of age or older to access the Kentucky Derby Party and Party on the Patio. Additionally, most areas of Mohegan Pennsylvania are restricted to guests 21 years of age and older, including the hotel, gaming areas, and several restaurants. Valid, unexpired photo identification is required (driver’s license, passport, military ID). Expired identification will not be accepted. Wristbands issued for the event are not valid for the gaming floor. All persons, bags and personal items are subject to inspection. No portable chairs are permitted.
ABOUT MOHEGAN PENNSYLVANIA
Mohegan Pennsylvania, owned by Mohegan, was the first destination to bring gaming to Pennsylvania in 2006 and since then has become one of the premier entertainment, gaming, shopping, and dining destinations in the state. Situated on 400 acres in Plains, Pennsylvania, Mohegan Pennsylvania features a newly renovated 238-room hotel with on-site spa and adjacent 20,000 square-foot Convention Center. It is currently home to 67,000 square feet of gaming space including nearly 60 live table games, more than 1,700 slot machines and electronic table games, a variety of dining and shopping options, nightlife, entertainment and live harness racing. Mohegan Pennsylvania 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 MoheganPA.com. Connect with us on Facebook, and follow us on X or Instagram.
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Feb 5, 2019 | Racing
The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono is pleased to announce their 2019 racing season schedule. The track in Northeast PA is looking forward to another tremendous season of racing.
Opening night has been set for Saturday, March 16, and there will be a limited schedule in the month of March, with racing on Tuesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Starting in April, the track will move to the full schedule of four days a week. Post Time for Saturdays and Sundays throughout the season, with some exceptions, will be 7:00pm, and Mondays and Tuesdays will have a 4:00pm post. During the months of March and April, fans will receive a free live racing program on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Opening night will also be 50/50 night. Racing fans receive $100 in live racing vouchers for $50. The very popular promotion will start with a line for wristbands at 4:00pm, and all fans receiving the wristbands at 5:00pm will receive this offer, while supplies last.
Stakes action kicks off on opening night with the Secretary’s Series for 4 and older, and the finals for the series starts Sunday, April 19th. In addition, the Bobby Weiss Series returns Monday, April 1st, and continues throughout the spring. Finals for the Bobby Weiss begin on Monday, April 29th. Other stakes action in the spring and summer includes the PA All-Stars beginning on Saturday, May 11th; the PA Stallion Series starting May 19th; and the PA Sire Stakes kicking off on May 19th as well.
The prestigious $2 million Sun Stakes Saturday is June 29th, featuring the $500,000 Earl Beal Jr. Memorial Trot; $500,000 Ben Franklin Free For All Pace; 500,000 Max Hempt Memorial Pace; and the $300,000 James Lynch Memorial Pace. Eliminations will take place on Saturday, June 22nd.
A double-header of live racing is once again planned for Kentucky Derby day, Saturday, May 4th, with a first post of 11:00am and the second card approximately 7:30pm. Racing follows the Preakness Stakes on May 18th and Belmont Stakes on June 8th, and will also be an approximate Post Time of 7:30pm.
Qualifying dates have been set for Tuesday, March 5th and Thursday, March 7th, and then every Wednesday thereafter for the remainder of the season.
The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono is extremely excited to welcome all horsemen and fans back for another season!
May 15, 2018 | Racing
Before Kentucky Derby winner Justify enters the Starting Gate at Pimlico for the 143rd Preakness Stakes, the party will be ON at the Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono!
Doors open Saturday, Preakness Day at 9:30am, with the wagering windows open at 10:00am. Post Time for Pimlico is 10:30am, and the Preakness Stakes is race 13 with an approximate Post Time of 6:45pm.
The patio and trackside bars will be ready with all kinds of ice-cold refreshments, including the famous Black-Eyed Susan in the souvenir glass. Food will be available on the apron as well, and just in case showers fall, there is a big tent with TV monitors to keep the fans comfortable and dry. Dress to impress and bring your friends to enjoy the second jewel of the Triple Crown!
After the Preakness is official the Downs has a massive live racing card set to go, including 3 divisions of the PA Sire Stakes for 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings, and two divisions of the Great Northeast Open Series. There will be plenty of excitement on the track all night long, so fans are encouraged to stay and play well into the night.
Advance wagering on the Preakness is available on Friday, May 18th, Black-Eyed Susan Day, starting at 11:00am. Post Time for Pimlico is 11:30am on Friday.
Feb 21, 2018 | Racing
The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono is pleased to announce our 2018 racing season schedule. The track in Northeast PA is looking forward to another tremendous season of racing, with the Breeders Crown returning for the third time.
Opening night has been set for Saturday, March 17 at a new Post Time of 7:00pm for all race nights, with the exception of Easter Sunday at 5:00pm and all three Triple Crown nights. In the month of March, racing continues on Tuesday, March 20th; Saturday, March 24th; Sunday, March 25th; Tuesday, March 27th, and Saturday, March 31st. Beginning in April, the track will move to its permanent schedule of Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, with no racing on Monday, April 2nd and Monday, September 10th.
Stakes action kicks off in early April with a Late Closing Series, and spring and summer action includes the PA Sire Stakes for 3-year-olds starting in May, as well as the PA All-Stars and PA Stallion Series. All three continue throughout the season, with the 2-year-olds taking center stage starting in July. The PA Sire Stakes for 3-year-olds is on Sunday, September 2. The prestigious $2 million Sun Stakes Saturday is June 30th featuring the $500,000 Earl Beal Jr. Memorial Trot; $500,000 Ben Franklin Free For All Pace; 500,000 Max Hempt Memorial Pace; and the $300,000 James Lynch Memorial Pace. Eliminations will take place on Saturday, June 23.
Breeders Crown 2018 is Saturday, October 27th, with eliminations Friday, October 19th and Saturday, October 20th. According to Dale Rapson, Vice President of Racing Operations, Crown ‘18 promises to be a memorable one with all twelve races in one night. “We are very excited to bring back the Breeders Crown, and are already planning a great event,” he said. The track is working closely with the Hambletonian Society and the PHHA on the spectacular night of racing. “I’m really looking forward to my first Breeders Crown with Pocono,” said Mike Harant, Executive Director of the PHHA, “as well as the entire 2018 racing season.”
A double-header of live racing is once again planned for Kentucky Derby day, Saturday, May 5th, with a first post of 11:00am and the second card approximately 7:30pm. Racing follows the Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes and will also be an approximate Post Time of 7:30pm.
Plenty of fan-friendly events and promotions are in the works for the season, and opening night will be “50/50 Night”. Fans get $50 in free live racing vouchers when they buy $50, and valid on the live racing racing card that evening, while supplies last. Fans get a free live program on opening night starting at 5:00pm, also while supplies last. Additional fun events are planned throughout the season, including celebrity meet-and-greet autograph sessions with several sports stars; giveaway items; and on Kentucky Derby day, the annual “Run for the Roses Hat Revue” which is the contest for the most fashionable hats in several categories with cash prizes.
In addition, the Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono will add the text messaging service for promotional giveaways, as well as updates for fans on upcoming events and big race nights. Fans can opt in starting in March, and regular message and data rates may apply.
The stables will open for the season on Thursday, March 1st at 7:30am, and the familiar sight of horses training will soon be the first sign of spring and the 53rd year of racing at the Downs. Qualifying dates have been set for Tuesday, March 6th; Thursday, March 8th; and then every Wednesday thereafter for the remainder of the season.
Jan 19, 2016 | Racing
Racing on four consecutive nights and a double-header on Kentucky Derby day are included in the 2016 live racing schedule for the Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono, as announced by Vice-President of Racing Operations, Dale Rapson.
Racing opens at the renowned 5/8 mile oval in Wilkes Barre, PA on Saturday, March 19th, and will continue for the month of March on Tuesday, March 22, Sat., March 26, and Tuesday, March 29.
In April, racing moves to Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and Saturday, with Sunday, April 3rd the 1st leg of the Bobby Weiss Late Closing Series for 3 and 4 year olds, named for the beloved former Director of Track Maintenance. Bobby retired in 2011, and was responsible for the record-breaking track surface that is maintained today. The series continues throughout April with the finals on May 1st and 3rd. There will be no live racing on Monday, April 4th.
The prestigious Sun Stakes Saturday is set for Saturday, July 2nd, and will feature the Earl Beal, Jr. Memorial 3-year-old Trot; the James Lynch 3-year-old Filly Pace; the Max Hempt 3-year-old Colt & Gelding Pace; and the Ben Franklin Free For All Pace. Eliminations will take place on Saturday, June 25th
Saturday, August 20th is the $2.1 million Super Stakes Saturday with the Colonial 3YO Trot; Valley Forge 3YO Filly Pace; and the Battle of the Brandywine 3YO Open Pace.
The newly-created Pennsylvania Classics for 3YO PA-sired pacing colts & geldings will be held on Kentucky Derby Day, May 7th with eliminations the week before.
Also on the celebratory Kentucky Derby is a double-header with two Pocono live race cards. Post Time for the first card will be at 11 a.m., and the second will be immediately following the 142nd running of the Derby. In between, there will be the Run for the Roses Hat Review and a huge party on the track apron. Live racing will immediately follow the second and third legs of the Triple Crown, the Preakness and Belmont Stakes.
The first Qualifiers of the season will be Tuesday, March 8th; Wednesday, March 9th; and Wednesday, March 16th.
Post Time for Sunday nights is 7:30p.m., with all other nights 6:30p.m. In September, October, and November, Monday night Post Time will switch to a 4:30p.m. Post. The 51st season of live racing concludes on Saturday, November 26th.
