Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs Newsroom

May 11-17, 2012

The action at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs has been great all season long, but the last few weeks have been particularly fine, highlighted by the first track records of the season. With the first Sire Stakes of the season in the offing, the racing is bound to get even hotter in the weeks to come. In the meantime, let’s dive into this edition of the Weekly Awards.

PACER OF THE WEEK: TRANSCENDING

This 8-year-old stallion from the Ron Burke barn has been a top performer for several years. Consistency is the name of his game, as he has hit the board in more than half of his 156 career starts, most of which came against the finest pacing competition at Pocono and other Eastern tracks. His effort Saturday night, however, is one that will stand out in his illustrious career.

Facing an excellent field of condition pacers, Transcending worked out an excellent trip behind a raging speed duel between American Rage and Mickey Hanover. As the fractions got faster and faster, Matt Kakaley sat tight with the stallion, waiting for his opportunity to explode.

That opportunity came in the stretch, as he battled American Rage through the lane right to the finish line. When the dust cleared, Transcending was on top by a nose in a ridiculous time in 1:48:2. That was not only his new career-best, but it matched the Pocono track mark for aged stallions on the pace, previously set by Vlos in October of 2010.

Other top pacers this week include: Hurrikane Scotty J (Joe Pavia Jr., Chris Oakes), who stepped up in class on Saturday night to conquer the $20,000 claimers, his third straight win, in a new career-best time of 1:51:1; Fearlesss Diablo (Andrew McCarthy, Dylan Davis), who kept his winning streak alive after returning from Harrah’s with a condition victory on Saturday night, his third straight, in 1:51:3; and Billmar Scooter (Tyler Buter, Amber Buter), who beat the best mares on the grounds for a second straight week on Tuesday in 1:51.

TROTTER OF THE WEEK: KEYSTONE TORCH

Many times in this column, the Pacers and Trotters of the Week come from the highest ranks of the conditions and claimers. Every once in a while, a horse from some of the more modest ranks puts together a string of racing that just can’t be ignored. Such is the excellent stretch of racing that Keystone Torch has assembled the past month.

Even at age 11, this gelding has been impossible to beat in the $7,500 claimers since arriving at Pocono from Harrah’s. He reeled off three straight wins for trainer Jennifer Sabot as soon as he hit the MSPD racing surface, only to be claimed following his win on May 4. That meant that Friday night he was heading to a gate for a new trainer, Chris Oakes.

None of that mattered once the gate sped away and Keystone Torch got to the front end. Nobody could get to him and driver George Napolitano Jr., and he coasted to the victory by 1 ¼ lengths in 1:57:1. That makes 4 in a row for the veteran, the longest winning streak at Pocono so far in the 2012 meet.

Honorable mention on the trotting side goes to: Fox Valley Iliad (Tom Jackson, Kimberly Asher), who, after winning Trotter of the Week honors for setting a track record last week, went even faster in his victory in the week’s featured trot on Saturday night, setting a mark of 1:52, which is a new world record for 4-year-old stallions on the trot; Marion Miss Julie (Eric Carlson, Neal Ehrhart), who switched barns and had to deal with the far outside post but still scored his second straight claiming handicap win on Saturday night in 1:54:3; and Bayside Volo (Matt Kakaley, Chris Oakes), who once again moved up in class and switched barns but still won his third straight on Tuesday night in 1:54:4.

LONG SHOT OF THE WEEK: LOCO FOR COCOA

He’s got a great name, and the colt had the game to match on Tuesday night, picking up his maiden win with John Kakaley in the bike at 26-1, paying off $54.60 on a $2 win ticket.

DRIVER OF THE WEEK: ERIC CARLSON

It seems like every year a new driver breaks into the Pocono driving colony and makes a splash. Carlson seems to be fitting that bill for 2012 after five driving wins last weekend.

TRAINER OF THE WEEK: CHRIS OAKES

Once again, Oakes is among the best trainers at Pocono. He’s been red hot early in the season, and he knocked out a training double on Saturday night on his way to a five-win week.

That will do it for this week, but we’ll see you at the track. Feel free to e-mail me at jbeviglia@mohegansunpocono.com.

May 15, 2012

Billmar Scooter beat a tough group of distaff pacers to win her second straight winners of over $25,000 lifetime pace for mares in the feature race on Tuesday night at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs. The race carried the night’s top purse of $25,000.

Leaving from post position #2 in a field of eight as the 2-1 second choice, Billmar Scooter, a Keystone Raider mare from the barn of Amber Buter driven by Tyler Buter, took on classy veteran Chancey Lady first over and wore her down in the stretch. The closers weren’t able to get to her as she came home a winner by 1 ¼ lengths over Mud Pie Hanover in 1:51. Red Star Hottie finished 3^rd.

The win was the mare’s 5^th in 14 2012 starts. It was Billmar Scooter’s 26^th lifetime win, pushing her career earnings to $458,361.

May 12, 2012

A week after setting a track record at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs, Fox Valley Iliad improved his time in winning the $25,000 featured trot at Pocono on Saturday night, setting a world record in the process.

Last Friday, Fox Valley Iliad, a Vaporize stallion hailing from the Kimberly Asher barn, set a Pocono track record for 4-year-old stallions on the trot by winning a condition in 1:52:3. In Saturday night’s feature for winners of over $25,000 lifetime, the stallion left from the inside post in a field of six as the 6-5 favorite and allowed Lolique to grab the engine and set the quarter-mile mark of 27:1.

Like last week, driver Tom Jackson set Fox Valley Iliad in motion on the front stretch, sending him to the front at the 3/8-mile mark. He then clicked off sizzling middle panels of 55:3 at the half and 1:23:1 at three-quarters, gaining some separation from his foes. Monsignor Flan made a belated closing move in the stretch but came up a half-length short of Fox Valley Iliad. Lolique finished 3^rd.

Fox Valley Iliad’s winning time was 1:52, which not only reset his Pocono track record for 4-year-old stallions on the trot, but it also set a world record for the age group on a 5/8-mile oval. Owned by Larry Stalbaum and Mike Sorentino, the stallion now has 4 wins in 7 starts this year and 11 victories lifetime with career earnings of $135,103.

Fox Valley Iliad wasn’t the only one muscling his way into the Pocono record books on Saturday night. Transcending matched the track record for aged stallions on the pace with a 1:48:2 mile in a victory in the non-winners of $25,000 the last five starts condition. Using a pocket trip and the passing lane, Transcending, an 8-year-old stallion trained by Ron Burke and driven by Matt Kakaley, won by a nose in a three-way photo over American Rage and Real Flight. He matched the Pocono mark set by Vlos back in 2010.

Benefits the NASCAR Foundation and the Armed Forces Foundation

Pocono Raceway will host the Pocono Celebrity Charity Poker Showdown, benefitting The NASCAR Foundation and the Armed Forces Foundation, being held on Thursday, June 7, at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs in Wilkes-Barre, PA. The event precedes the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Pocono 400 on June 10 at “The Tricky Triangle,” and will feature NASCAR drivers, celebrities and race fans.

A limited number of playing spots are available. Fans can choose from three donation options: A $250 donation offers a pre-tournament, VIP meet-and-greet with drivers and celebrities on hand as well as entry to participate in the Poker Showdown; a $150 donation reserves a seat in the poker tournament; and, a $50 donation allows for fans to attend the event as spectators. The top-finishing fan will receive their choice of an all-expense paid trip to Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, CT or a VIP Pocono Raceway race weekend experience.

To register for the Pocono Celebrity Poker Showdown, fans can visit NASCAR.COM/Unites.

“We are very excited about the opportunity to team up with two charitable organizations,” said Brandon Igdalsky, Pocono Raceway’s President and CEO. “Race fans will have the chance to play against some of NASCAR’s top drivers and personalities, with all proceeds benefiting the efforts of The NASCAR Foundation and the Armed Forces Foundation. We anticipate a great event and sincerely thank all involved, especially Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs for all their support.”

NASCAR superstar Kurt Busch will participate in the Pocono Celebrity Charity Poker Showdown and said “Both the NASCAR Foundation and Armed Forces Foundation do a lot of work to help their respective communities and in order to do that they depend greatly on the generosity of people who can contribute. It’s great that Pocono Raceway is helping in this way with the poker tournament. It’s just a fun way to raise money and draw attention to the work of the two groups.”

“We’re so pleased to partner with the Pocono Celebrity Charity Poker Showdown on this charitable event benefitting the NASCAR Foundation and the Armed Forces Foundation,” said Bobby Soper, CEO, Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs. “The spirit of racing is in our DNA and we look forward to a successful poker showdown.”

About Pocono Raceway

“The Tricky Triangle” is host to two NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards races each year and added a NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race in 2010.  Pocono Raceway’s 2.5-mile triangular design makes it truly unique.  Pocono is the only track on the NASCAR Sprint Cup Circuit with three turns, three different radii and three variant degrees of banking.  All that ensures our fans will enjoy some serious action, meanwhile presenting a competitive challenge to the world’s best drivers and their crew chiefs.  Pocono strives to create a family atmosphere with increased focus on the Fan Experience.  We are Pocono Raceway and this is “The Tricky Triangle.”

In business for over 50 years, Pocono Raceway is family-owned and situated in the beautiful Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania.  We are located within 300 miles of one-third of the U.S. population and within 90 miles of New York City and Philadelphia.  Pocono Raceway is and always will be an attractive option for NASCAR and race fans alike.

Pocono Raceway is the world’s largest solar powered sports facility. The Raceway developed a 25 acre, three megawatt solar farm that provides the energy needs of the Raceway as well as adding electricity to the local power grid.

About The NASCAR Foundation

The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing Inc., (NASCAR) launched The NASCAR Foundation in January 2006. The Foundation is a 501(c) (3) non-profit entity that embodies the compassion of the NASCAR family and its commitment to serving communities. The NASCAR Foundation seeks to raise funds and increase volunteer participation to support nonprofit charities and charitable causes throughout the nation with an emphasis placed on initiatives that affect the ability of children to live, learn and play. For more information on The NASCAR Foundation, please visit the website: NASCAR.COM/foundation.

About Armed Forces Foundation

The Armed Forces Foundation (AFF) offers vital assistance to active-duty and retired personnel, National Guard, Reserve Components and military families. As soon as a wounded warrior arrives at the hospital, the Armed Forces Foundation steps in to assist the family in traveling to his or her side and provides lodging for them to stay with their loved one. The foundation also provides financial assistance, therapeutic recreational and outreach programs, outdoor hunting programs, military family events, a national education initiative surrounding Veterans Day and Christmas toy drives. The AFF lives follows their motto “serving those who serve,” as a blueprint to provide a well-rounded program of assistance and support for the entire military family unit.

About Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs

Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs, owned by the Mohegan Tribe of Indians of Connecticut, is one of the most distinctive and spectacular entertainment, gaming, shopping and dining destinations in Pennsylvania. Situated on 400 acres in Plains, Pennsylvania, Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs is currently home to 55,000 square feet of gaming space including over 82 live table games, 2,300 slot machines and electronic table games, a variety of dining and shopping options, nightlife, entertainment and live harness racing. Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs is within easy access of New York, Philadelphia, New Jersey and Delaware. More information is available by calling 1.888.win.inpa (1.888.946.4672) or visiting mohegansunpocono.com.

Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs Week in Review

May 4-10, 2012

It was a mighty busy week at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs. So busy, in fact, that we needed five racing cards to get it all in, as we held a racing double-header on Kentucky Derby day. This week also witnessed our first two track records of the 2012 meet. Those record-setting horses are the obvious choices to highlight this edition of the Weekly Awards.

PACER OF THE WEEK: SPECIAL T ROCKS

Saturday night’s feature race was the Van Rose Memorial, a $50,000 Open event in honor of a local sportswriter whose dedication to the sport of harness racing made him a very special part of the Pocono racing scene. Van would have been extra proud to see the race held in his name, because it produced a new world record mile.

The field was packed to the gills with talent, including million-dollar earner Dial Or Nodial, top Pocono pacers Drop Red and Fred And Ginger, and a pair of dangerous shippers from Yonkers in Melvyn and Flipper J. In the end, it was Special T Rocks, who proved his mettle with back-to-back wins in his previous starts at Harrah’s at Philly, that had the answer when they came to the line.

After following cover on the outside, the gelding trained and driven by Daryl Bier went sweeping by the competition to win by 2 ¾ lengths in 1:48:3. That smashed the track record for 4-year-old pacing geldings, which was previously set by Tivoli Hanover in 1:49:2 all the way back in 2008. It was also a new World Record for the age group on a 5/8-mile oval.

Other top pacers this week include: Honky Tonk Woman (Andrew McCarthy, Jeffrey Webster), a mare who is now 2-for-2 on the season after zipping to a condition win on Friday in 1:52; Dynamic Youth (Andrew McCarthy, Aaron Lambert), who won her second consecutive distaff condition pace on Friday night, overcoming a tough post for a win in 1:52:1; and Medoland Big Cam (Pat Berry, Scott DiDomenico), who stepped up in class to beat the $25,000 claimers on Tuesday night, his second straight win, in 1:52:1.

TROTTER OF THE WEEK: FOX VALLEY ILIAD

All of us who read it in high school know that The Iliad was a tale of heroes and courageous deeds. Fox Valley Iliad lived up to his moniker on Friday night with a performance that will have the poets singing at least as long as his new track record holds up.

Fox Valley Iliad, a 4-year-old stallion from the barn of Kimberly Asher, faced off against a tough condition trotting group after just missing in the same class with a furious late move for 2^nd on April 27. This time around, driver Tom Jackson sent the stallion to the front to dictate the pace, and by the stretch he had shaken just about everyone in the field.

Pocket horse Pembroke Heat Wave put up a serious challenge in the stretch, but Fox Valley Iliad responded to win by a head, stopping the timer in 1:52:3. The previous track record for 4-year-old stallions on the trot was 1:52:4 by Flex The Muscle, set in 2011. The time also matched a world record for the age and gait on a 5/8-mile oval.

Honorable mention on the trotting side goes to: Opinion Hanover (Mike Simons, Clarence Martin Jr.), winner of three consecutive condition trots after his win Wednesday night in 1:55:4; Man About Town (Howard Parker, Jim Raymer), who took a big step up the condition ladder and still handled a tough group on Friday night in 1:54:1 for his second consecutive victory; and Anders Bluestone (George Napolitano Jr., Eric Ell), who shipped in to beat the best trotters on the grounds on Saturday night in 1:53:1, giving the stallion seven wins in eleven races this year.

LONG SHOT OF THE WEEK: BOND BLUE CHIP

It didn’t take long for a Friday night wake-up call for the patrons, as driver Eric Carlson led Bond Blue Chip to a claiming pace win in the first race at 37-1, paying off $77.20 on a $2 win ticket.

DRIVER OF THE WEEK: MATT KAKALEY

Pocono’s leading driver in 2011 has been heating up once again of late. He followed up four wins on the Saturday double card with a driving double on Tuesday night.

TRAINER OF THE WEEK: RON BURKE

Burke once again finds himself at the top of the Pocono trainers’ standings. This week was a typically productive one for his barn at MSPD, highlighted by back-to-back winners on Saturday night’s card.

That will do it for this week, but we’ll see you at the track. Feel free to e-mail me at jbeviglia@mohegansunpocono.com.