by Jennifer Starr, for Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs

Wilkes-Barre, PA — Racing on four consecutive nights and a doubleheader on Kentucky Derby Day are included in the 2016 live racing schedule for the Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono, as announced by Vice-President of Racing Operations Dale Rapson.

Racing opens at the renowned five-eighths-mile oval in Wilkes Barre, Pa., on Saturday (March 19) and will continue for the month of March on Tuesday (March 22), Saturday (March 26), and Tuesday (March 29).

In April, racing moves to Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and Saturday, with Sunday (April 3) the first leg of the Bobby Weiss Late Closing Series for 3- and 4-year olds, named for the beloved former Director of Track Maintenance. Weiss retired in 2011, and was responsible for the record-breaking track surface that is maintained today. The series continues throughout April with the finals on May 1 and May 3. There will be no live racing on Monday (April 4).

The prestigious Sun Stakes Saturday is set for Saturday (July 2) and will feature the Earl Beal Jr. Memorial 3-year-old trot; the James Lynch 3-year-old filly pace; the Max Hempt 3-year-old colt and gelding pace; and the Ben Franklin Free For All Pace. Eliminations will take place on Saturday (June 25).

Saturday (Aug. 20) is the $2.1 million Super Stakes Saturday with the Colonial 3-year-old trot; Valley Forge 3-year-old filly pace; and the Battle of the Brandywine 3-year-old open pace.

The newly-created Pennsylvania Classics for 3-year-old PA-sired pacing colts and geldings will be held on Kentucky Derby Day (May 7) with eliminations the week before.

Also on the celebratory Kentucky Derby is a doubleheader with two Pocono live race cards. Post time for the first card will be at 11 a.m. and the second will be immediately following the 142nd running of the Derby. In between, there will be the Run for the Roses Hat Review and a huge party on the track apron. Live racing will immediately follow the second and third legs of the Triple Crown, the Preakness and Belmont Stakes.

Post time for Sunday nights is 7:30 p.m., with all other nights at 6:30 p.m. In September, October, and November, Monday night post time will switch to 4:30 p.m. The 51st season of live racing concludes on Saturday (Nov. 26).