by Jennifer Starr, for Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs

Wilkes-Barre, PA — March came in like a lion, but the weather didn’t stop the stables at Mohegan Sun Pocono from opening on Monday morning (March 2).

Mohegan Sun Pocono photo

Trainer William Mullin brought the first horses to the stable area this morning.

At a minute after 8 a.m., trainer William Mullin made his way down the steep incline to the Stable Gate with his precious cargo, officially kicking off the 50th anniversary season of racing at Pocono.

Accompanied by his stable groom, John Sharp, Billy began unloading Easter Legs, Tamasin Hall and Skyline Road into their new home for the next nine months. All three seemed more interested in chowing down than their new surroundings.

The first qualifying races of the meet are on Tuesday (March 10) at 10 a.m., with two other dates set aside — Thursday (March 12) and Thursday (March 19). Opening night is Saturday (March 21), with a post time of 6:30 p.m.

Pocono Downs opened their doors on July 15, 1965, and are celebrating their 50th anniversary season this year with numerous events planned throughout the summer. Sun Stakes Saturday, with nearly $2 million in purses, is set for Saturday (July 4), and Super Stakes Saturday, with $2.1 million in purses, will be on Saturday (August 22), also the big anniversary celebration.