from the Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono

Wilkes-Barre, PA — Horsemen are reminded that nominations should be postmarked by Feb. 15 for the many varied early and late closers that will highlight the 2018 racing season at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono.

The northeastern Pennsylvania oval will begin the 135-day race meet on Saturday (March 17).

The Bobby Weiss Late Closer for 3- and 4-year-old horses will return this season in April with four events for non-winners of two extended pari-mutuel races or $30,000 lifetime as of and including Feb. 1, 2018. The separate events will be for male pacers, female pacers, male trotters and female trotters. Each Weiss will consist of four legs and a $30,000 final. This year there will be consolations for each event. Another change will be each horse that actually starts will receive 25 points along with any points they get from their official placing in each leg. The nominating fee will be $300.

The Pennsylvania All Stars, an early closer for Pennsylvania sired 3-year-olds, will make their appearance in May and June. The 2-year-olds will be in July. Nominations for the 3-year-old events of the Pennsylvania All Stars are due on Feb. 15. Nominations for the 2-year-old events are not due until March 15.

Sun Stakes Saturday will, once again, usher in the summer portion of the racing season. The finals for the $500,000 Earl Beal Jr. Memorial 3-year-old open trot, $500,000 Max C. Hempt Memorial 3-year-old open pace, $300,000 James M. Lynch Memorial 3-year-old filly pace and $500,000 Ben Franklin FFA Pace will be on Saturday (June 30). The eliminations for these races will be one week earlier on June 23. If entries for the eliminations warrant, there will be a $75,000 consolation for the Beal, Hempt and Franklin and a $50,000 consolation for the Lynch.

Complete racing conditions and payment information for all these racing events can be found on The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono horsemen page.