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 (Oct. 15). Post time for the evening is 6:30 p.m. Parking and admission are free.
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 chose Mike Simons as their “wild card” driver.
Drivers will pick one race, while the rest will be drawn, and a points system will be used for scoring. All nine drivers featured in the East Meets West Driver Challenge will be available for autographs and photos with fans starting at 5:30 p.m. on the Patio.
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 (komenpa.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. Representatives from both charities will be on hand for the event.
“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.”