by John Zimich, publicity director, Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs

Wilkes-Barre, PA — Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs, enjoying its finest racing season ever in 2007, will be closing it out with its Great Rivalry Series, the fall late closers.

Saul Needle, director of racing, said the response for the late closers has been beyond his expectations.

“We’ve increased our purses and we expect each of the eight late closers to be filled,” offered an elated Needle. “We’re expecting the first leg or two in each series to have two to three divisions. Our fans will continue to see great racing right into November.

“There should be plenty of excitement generated and we can’t be any happier with the responses we’ve received. There should be some great races.”

The Red Sox-Yankees Pace for horses and geldings that were non-winners of $50,000 in 2007 through August 31 has drawn 48 nominations. The Final in this late closer will be going for $46,800.

the Army-Navy Trot for trotters that were non-winners of $50,000 in 2007 through August 31 will have a purse of $48,550 in the final. This late closer has attracted 53 nominations.

Featured in the Bird-Magic Pace will be $10,000 claiming pacers while the Duke-North Carolina Pace has $15,000 claiming pacers vying for honors.

A group of 3- and 4-year-old fillies and mares that were non-winners of $25,000 lifetime or non-winners of six extended pari-mutuel races lifetime through August 31 will grab the limelight in the Bret Hanover-Adios Vic Pace.

The Ali-Frazier Pace for 3- and 4-year-old horses, colts and geldings that were non-winners of $25,000 lifetime or non-winners of six extended pari-mutuel races lifetime through August 31, has attracted 53 nominations.

The Great Rivalry Series will also feature the Michigan-Ohio State Trot for 6-year-old and under trotters and the Affirmed-Alydar Pace for mares that were non-winners of $50,000 through August 31.

Not only will local horses be participating in the late closers, but the track will have entries from California, Michigan, Ohio, New Jersey, New York, Maryland and Delaware, said Needle.

“This is a great way to end our year,” Needle further noted. “It’ll be the best racing our fans have ever seen this late in our season.”

Late closers will begin on Monday, October 15, and conclude on Saturday, November 10. Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs will close out its 2007 season on Saturday afternoon, November 17.