Pocono set for big day on Saturday
June 26, 2018,by Jennifer Starr, for The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono
Wilkes-Barre, PA — On Saturday (June 30) the very best of the best trotters and pacers in North America will descend upon the Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono for Sun Stakes Saturday, when the stars shine so bright.
All eyes will be on the filly Manchego, now 15 for 15, clocking the fastest in the Earl Beal Jr. Memorial Trot eliminations of 1:52.4, with the gelding Crystal Fashion missing by a nose. She starts from post six and will once again be “against the boys.”
Also in the spotlight will be North America Cup winner Lather Up, entering the final of the Max Hempt Memorial off his powerful 1:49 win in the eliminations, looking like he still had plenty left in the tank for driver Montrell Teague. Lather Up, 7-for-7 this year for trainer Clyde Francis, starts from the not-easy post seven.
The Ben Franklin features 2014 Hempt winner McWicked, who returns to this superstar field, which includes Heaven Rocks A and All Bets Off, who won his elimination after favorite Sintra (also in the final), crossed the wire first but was placed back for a violation of the pylons rule.
The James Lynch Memorial is equally full of star power, with Kissin In The Sand drawing the difficult nine post, and Youaremycandygirl looking to get back to winning form.
The Downs is thrilled to welcome the incomparable Foiled Again on Saturday, racing in the third, a conditioned pace. The 100th win in the illustrious career of the richest Standardbred of all time is within his grasp. Foiled Again won the Franklin here in 2013, setting the world record in
his elimination of 1:48, and returning for a thrilling final on a sloppy track in 1:49.2.
The day begins with a special Meet and Greet with Julius “Dr J” Erving in the Racing Lobby at 4:30 p.m. This is a wristband-only event, with wristbands being distributed at 1 p.m. A Racing Rewards card is required, and only the distributed authorized photos will be signed.
Also on Saturday, the first 300 fans will receive a souvenir cooler pack. Coupon is required and in the live racing program, available starting at 11 a.m. Redemption is between 9-10 p.m. in the lower Grandstand bar. The promotion is one per fan, while supplies last, with their Racing Rewards card.
Post time is 7 p.m., with plenty of seating on the apron and patio, as well as free self-parking and free admission. Patio and apron bars will be open with ice cold beverages, and there’ll be a food tent. No off-property food or beverages are permitted.
Racing for the track continues through Nov. 17 on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and Saturday.
- Sun Stakes finals highlight busy week of Grand Circuit racing (Wednesday, June 27, 2018)
The Grand Circuit spotlight will once again be on The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono this Saturday night (June 30) as the track will host four lucrative Sun Stakes finals.
- Owner is “Hungry” for Hempt Memorial score (Wednesday, June 27, 2018)
Owner Brad Grant hopes the best is yet to come from O’Brien Award-winner Stay Hungry, who will be among eight horses trying to hand Lather Up his first loss of the year in Saturday’s $500,000 Max C. Hempt Memorial for 3-year-old male pacers at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono.
- In-form All Bets Off leads Burke trio into Ben Franklin (Thursday, June 28, 2018)
After suffering through early-season issues, All Bets Off appears to be back on his game. The 7-year-old stallion, who is within striking range of $3 million in career purses, leads three horses from the stable of trainer Ron Burke into Saturday’s $500,000 Ben Franklin Pace for older male pacers at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono. All Bets Off is the 3-1 second choice on the morning line behind 5-2 favorite McWicked.