by Jennifer Starr, for Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs

Wilkes-Barre, OH — Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs is celebrating July 3 with a special early post time of 5 p.m. and a night full of “stars” — All-Stars, that is — and a spectacular fireworks display.

The first night of the Pennsylvania All-Stars kicks off on Tuesday (July 3) with six divisions for 2-year-old trotting colts and geldings and six divisions for 2-year-old pacing colts and geldings.

“You’ll be seeing some of the future stars in the sport during this Grand Circuit week,” Race Secretary Rick Kane revealed.

Ray Schnittker, who has developed outstanding younger horses in the past such as Deweycheatumnhowe, sends out Red Rock, a son of The Panderosa, and Cowboy Terror, a son of Somebeachsomewhere.

In the trotting divisions, the Hall of Fame honoree Jimmy Takter trains High Bridge, son of Cantab Hall, fresh off a win in a 2-year-old race. The Ron Burke trained Arctic Tale, son of Donato Hanover, who trotted to his juvenile win in 1:58, and Tigress’s Legacy, a son of S J’s Caviar, trained by David Wade, with a 1:58.2 win in a freshman race, will both be looking for another win to cement their mark as future stars.

The Pennsylvania All-Stars continues Wednesday (July 4), Friday (July 6), Saturday (July 7) and Sunday (July 8) with the regular post time of 6:30 p.m. for all nights.

Fireworks immediately follow the Tuesday (July 3) race card.