May 24, 2015 | Racing
Triple Crown fever is striking everywhere, and anticipation is high for American Pharoah’s bid on Saturday, June 6th with the Belmont Stakes.
With a big celebration planned for Belmont Stakes Saturday, the Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono is excited to announce that jockey Victor Espinoza will be appearing for autographs and photos on Tuesday, June 2 from 3:30pm to 5:00pm in the Racing Lobby. This is a wristband-only event, and fans may obtain their wristband starting at 1:00pm, with a very limited amount available.
Only the authorized photo, which will be distributed at the signing, will be autographed, and a professional photographer will be on hand for photos, which will then be posted on the Mohegan Sun Pocono Facebook page for sharing.
Belmont Stakes Saturday will be a huge party, with live harness racing at 3:30pm until 5:00pm, and 12 additional races immediately following the 147th Belmont Stakes. Food trucks; the “Belmont Breeze” in souvenir glasses; and plenty of bars with ice cold beverages will be on the apron for the fans to enjoy in anticipation of post time and history in the making. American Pharoah merchandise will be for sale on the apron as well.
Victor Espinoza has won the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes three times, riding War Emblem in 2002; California Chrome in 2014; and American Pharoah this year. As of this date, he is the first jockey in history to enter the Belmont Stakes with a third opportunity to win the Triple Crown.
Feb 14, 2014 | Racing
A double-header on Kentucky Derby Day and an additional day per week of racing in July and August are two of the changes in the new Pocono racing schedule for 2014, as announced by Vice President of Racing Operations, Dale Rapson.
Racing opens at the renowned 5/8 mile oval in Wilkes Barre, PA on March 22, and for the first few months of the new season, (March through June), will take place on Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Kicking off the stakes schedule on opening night will be 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 finals for the series will take place starting April 19, and conclude on April 23.
The prestigious Sun Stakes Saturday is planned for Saturday, June 28th, 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 21st.
For the summer months of July and August, an extra day has been added. The race days will move to Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. The track will race Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday September through closing in November. There will be no live racing the week of September 8th for the annual Oktoberfest celebration.
Kentucky Derby Day, May 3rd,, traditionally a huge celebration of racing and partying, will also boast 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 140th 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.
Post Time for all racing nights is 6:30 p.m., with the season concluding on Saturday, November 22.
May 17, 2013 | Racing
Before Orb even hits the gate for the 138th Preakness Stakes, the party will be in full swing at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs.
The track in Northeast PA will get the celebration underway at 2:00 p.m., with the party tent, patio bars, and new Trackside Concession Stands opening with ice cold beverages. The featured drink will be the Black-Eyed Susan, the official drink of the Preakness Stakes, in the souvenir glass. Johnny Rockets will have delicious grilled burgers and hot dogs available for sale on the track apron as well.
The betting windows will open bright and early at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, with Post Time for Pimlico at 10:45 a.m. Pacer’s Clubhouse will begin serving dinner at 3:00 p.m., by reservation only. Free admission and free parking are in full effect for that day, as always, at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs.
Live harness racing will immediately follow the Preakness Stakes, and there are 16 races on the card, with 8 divisions of the Pennsylvania Stallion Series for 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings.
Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs has live harness racing Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday, and will pick up Friday nights in June and July. Post Time is 6:30 p.m.
May 12, 2013 | Racing
Sunny skies, warm temperatures, and a scorching Kentucky Derby 139 race added to hot handle numbers for Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs for 2013.
The track in Northeast PA, who threw a big Derby party complete with a double header of harness racing, saw an increase in their handle numbers over last year, as well as a significant increase with their ADW site, ibetMohegan.com. All three Off track locations; Lehigh Valley, East Stroudsburg, and Carbondale, enjoyed lucrative handle numbers, with Lehigh Valley’s increase from last year the most significant.
The day kicked off with Post Time of the first live racing card at 11:00 a.m., and by the time the Kentucky Derby race was declared official, close to 9000 fans had made their way to the newly renovated racing apron to toast Orb in his victory. New concession stands built into the original lower Grandstand with full bars were humming with business, and bettors enjoyed outside betting windows on the apron, as well as on the upper patio.
Plans are already in the works for both a Preakness and Belmont Stakes party with fans eager for Orb to grab the elusive Triple Crown. The apron concession stands, party tent, and patio will all open Preakness day at 2 p.m. with Black-Eyed Susans, the traditional drink of the Preakness, and other ice-cold drinks. Food will Johnny Rockets will be available.
