by Ed Kobesky, Director of Media & Marketing, Pennsylvania Harness Horsemen’s Association

Wilkes-Barre, PA — 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 15).

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 will also pick a ninth ‘wild card’ competitor at its own discretion on Tuesday.

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 percent of the night’s prize winnings to the northeastern Pennsylvania affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Foundation for the Cure (komennepa.org) to benefit breast cancer research and Marley’s Mission (www.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.”