Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Horse Racing Commission at its Dec. 17 meeting paved the way for a new partnership between Mohegan Pennsylvania at Pocono Downs and the New York Racing Association.
The PHRC granted NYRABets, the entity’s account wagering service, a 2025 vendor license. NYRABets, in which FOX Sports holds a 25% interest, had held a secondary pari-mutuel operation license in Pennsylvania.
“It’s important from a branding and marketing perspective,” NYRABets Chief Operating Officer Matt Feig told PHRC members during a presentation before the vote, noting success in other states such as New Jersey. “We think we can better drive handle on Pocono Downs races and other races in the Commonwealth.”
Feig noted that FOX Sports broadcast about 70 hours of Standardbred racing content this year, and that plans call for Pocono Downs racing to be part of the mix in 2025. He also mentioned the potential for cross-partner pari-mutuel wagers.
“We’re not just Thoroughbred-centric,” Feig said of NYRABets. “We are pro the sport.”
“We’re excited for this new venture,” said Mike Zullinger, director of race and sports book operations at Pocono Downs. “We’re looking forward to the new partnership with NYRA.”
During the industry reports portion of the Dec. 17 meeting, Russell Williams, president of Hanover Shoe Farms as well as the United States Trotting Association, said Pennsylvania breeders have agreed to provide financial support for the 2025 Pennsylvania Sire Stakes program. The financial support will increase purses for the finals in all divisions to $300,000 from $250,000.
“We are not sitting back,” Williams said. “We stand ready to pay the cost and do the work to keep Pennsylvania breeding at the forefront.”
Williams also said the USTA in partnership with another entity (Standardbred Racing Investigative Fund) has launched an “integrity initiative” targeting “beard ownership” of Standardbred racehorses.