Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs Newsroom

Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs Week in Review

jstarr — Thu, 23 May 2013 16:51:25 +0000

May 18-24, 2013

We saw a lot of excellent performances at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs this week, so there were plenty of great candidates for Weekly Awards honors. Still, the action in the Pennsylvania Sire Stakes on Sunday night was so intense and electric that it needed to be retold over the course of a full article rather than just a few lines. So the Weekly Awards will return next week while we take the time this week to relive Sunday night’s outstanding performances, which included a superstar’s triumphant return to racing and an unexpected track record.

The Sire Stakes races on Sunday night, which were for 3-year-old colts and geldings on the pace, were the first of the season at Pocono, and it was a great way to kick things off. There were four divisions held in this glamour group, each carrying a hefty purse of $62,587. With that kind of dough on the line, it was a foregone conclusion that some of the best horses and horsemen in the country would be on the scene.

The action heated up right off the bat with the night’s first Sire Stakes split. In that race, Apprentice Hanover was made the favorite based on his outstanding two-year-old campaign in which he earned over $266,000. But it was his first start of the year, and he got off to a bit of a sluggish start in the race. By contrast, Martini Hanover, a 3-year-old gelding from the Chris Ryder barn, already had one start under his belt in 2013, so he was primed for a big effort.

With Dave Palone, no stranger to big Sire Stakes victories, in the bike, Martini Hanover took over the lead just shy of the half-mile marker and just rolled from there. He ended up with a romping 5 ½ length win over Apprentice Hanover in 1:49:3, which gave an early glimpse of the sizzling times to come.

Palone was at it again in the next Sire Stakes race, which was a bit of an odd one in that there were only six horses in the field and two of them went off-stride before the quarter-pole. Beach Memories had broken stride in his previous race so he knew well about issues with staying flat. But on this night, the 3-year-old gelding from the Brian Brown barn was not only flat but very fast, as Palone guided him to the front early and led him all the way home for an easy win in 1:51:2.

The third split featured the return to racing of Captaintreacherous, who was one of the sport’s transcendent stars as a 2-year-old in 2012 when he won 8 of 10 races and earned a stunning $918,253 for trainer Tony Alagna. Regular driver Tim Tetrick also made the trip to drive Captaintreacherous, who went off as the 1-9 favorite despite the nearly seven months off.

Any questions of rust were answered as Captaintreacherous glided to the lead with an effortless brush on the front stretch. From there, Tetrick let his horse do the rest, never lifting a finger as the star colt kept his competition at a safe distance and secured a 3 ½ length victory. He paced a mile of 1:49:4, including a final quarter of 26:3, without any urging whatsoever. That’s amazing for a first start of the year, and it’s also a good indication that Captaintreacherous is ready to build on his already fantastic resume.

That would have been a great highlight for any night’s racing, but there was still one split to go and Normandy Invasion had big plans for it. Also trained by Brian Brown and driven by Palone, the 3-year-old gelding won two of three starts to start his year at The Meadows. Still, he wasn’t favored in Sunday night’s race; that honor went to Lonewolf Currier, who had won five of his six career starts coming into the night.

Once again Palone played the aggressor, cutting loose Normandy Invasion on the front end. He built up a sizable lead and kept a scorching pace so that the rest of the field never had a chance. The gelding ended up a 2 3/4 length winner, but the eye-popping numbers were reflected in the timer: Normandy Invasion paced the mile in 1:48:4.

That time set a new track record for 3-year-old geldings on the pace, one that was set just last October at Pocono by Bet On The Law. So Captaintreacherous might have been the headliner, but the Grand Finale put forth by Normandy Invasion may have stolen the show. And considering the entire evening, it’s just the opening act for what promises to be an amazing Pennsylvania Sire Stakes season at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs.

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.

Summer Fun Heats Up At Mohegan Sun At Pocono Downs

Tony Nunes — Wed, 22 May 2013 11:58:49 +0000

Fifth annual Hot Summer Fun kicks off May 26th for a season long, Seven-day-a-week celebration of Summer

Hot! Hot! Hot! Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs is heating things up this summer with their 5th annual Hot Summer Fun celebration. From May 26th through September 2nd, the calendar is packed with exciting giveaways, promotions, tournaments, dining deals, events, fireworks and so much more!

Each day of the week brings a new opportunity at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs beginning with Live it Up Mondays. In June, Player’s Club Card members over the age of 55 can insert their cards into their favorite slot machines every Monday from 6:00am to Midnight for their chance to win a Silver Linings Surprise of instant Free Slot Play. One lucky winner each Monday throughout the month will also take home $555.00 in cash! Guests who are 55+ can also enjoy the breakfast in Timbers Buffet each Monday in June for the special price of $5.55 with a Player’s Club Card. Guests under the age of 55 can also enjoy the breakfast buffet for just $9.99. In July and August, guests who are aged 55 years and older can cure a case of the Mondays with FREE Rise and Shine Slot Tournaments from 9:00am until Noon where guests will have the chance to win up to $500.00 cash. These tournaments are sure to be popular so be sure to arrive early!

Double down every Tuesday with Two for Tuesdays! Each Tuesday in June, guests can earn double the points all day long while playing their favorite slot machines. Two guests every hour will be chosen to win $222.00 in Free Slot Play if they are sitting in the Hot Seat. Additionally, at 8:00pm, one lucky winner will win $2,200 in Free Slot Play. Two weekly Texas Hold ‘Em Tournaments will be hosted each Tuesday in June including a $35.00 Turbo No-Limit tournament at Noon and a $75.00 Bounty No-Limit tournament at 7:00pm.

A number of dining specials will also be offered in June as part of Two for Tuesdays including a two for $20.00 meal deal at Johnny Rockets, two BBQ beef short ribs sliders with fries and coleslaw for $9.99 from 11:30am to 4:00pm at Rustic Kitchen and two scoops of White Russian ice cream for $2.00 at Ben & Jerry’s. Each Tuesday throughout July and August, Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs will also host weekly Slot Tournaments every thirty minutes from 11:00am until 2:30pm and Blackjack Tournaments beginning at 6:00pm. Visit mohegansun.com/hsf for details on buy-ins and registration.

Get over the midweek hump with Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs’ Wild Wednesdays. In June and August, guests playing their favorite slot machines between 11:00am and 8:00pm have a shot at being one of two selected winners each hour to compete in Dueling Cash Cubes. The guest who grabs the most “cash” and “Free Slot Play” during 30 seconds wins $100.00, but both guests walk away winners as they get to keep whatever amounts they manage to grab in the cube! As part of Wild Wednesdays in July, five lucky guests playing their favorite games will be randomly chosen each hour for a chance to spin the Wild Wheel for Free Slot Play, cash and Hot Summer Fun prizes.

The fun continues with Thrilling Thursdays, adding suspense to the week with two winners selected each hour from 11:00am until 8:00pm each Thursday. Winners will get a chance to try their luck in a game of Plinko with prizes of up to $1,000 in Free Slot Play. Thursdays are also thrilling due to the popular Party on the Patio celebrations where cover bands play each Thursday night at 7:30pm from May 30th to August 29th including Jimmy Buffett tribute band-Parrot Beach, Beatles tribute-Beatlemania, Guns N’ Roses tribute-November Rain and more! A complete schedule is available here (hyperlink here).

Funtastic Fridays are here to prove that Anything Can Happen at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs. Every hour from 5:00pm to 11:00pm winners or groups of winners will be surprised with one of many fun giveaways just for being in the right place at the right time. Giveaways will include any number of prizes or experiences. Anything can happen, and something amazing will each Friday all summer long!

Heading into the weekend, Sizzling Saturdays offers guests a chance to earn entries to win a convertible! One car will be given away at the end of each month. On Sundays, It All Adds Up with Sunsational Sundays where guests play to win gifts just for playing their favorite machine or table. Player’s Club Card members earn entries towards the Hot Summer Fun gift of the week with each point they earn.

But wait, there’s more! The Hot Summer Fun celebrations kick off on May 26th with a special Party on the Patio including music, fireworks and more. Other events happening this summer at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs include the Belmont Stakes Party on Saturday, June 8th in Pacer’s Clubhouse, the Pocono Celebrity Charity Poker Showdown Thursday, June 6th and live Harness Racing at the Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs racetrack all summer long.

For a complete list of offers or for more information on Hot Summer Fun at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs, please visit mohegansunpocono.com/hsf or download the Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs App to your iOS or Android device. Connect with us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and view us on YouTube.

Rise and Shine With Live It Up Mondays At Mohegan Sun At Pocono Downs

Tony Nunes — Wed, 22 May 2013 11:56:38 +0000

VIP Treatment, Early Bird Specials and Morning Slot Tournaments for guests who are 55+ all summer long

Mondays have always had a bad rap, but this summer, Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs is here to make Mondays the day to Live It Up for Guests who are 55+ as part of their 5th annual Hot Summer Fun celebration.

Extend the weekend each Monday throughout the summer with slot tournaments, giveaways and early bird specials as part of Live It Up Mondays at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs. In June, Player’s Club members who are 55+ can insert their cards into their favorite slot machine for their Silver Linings Prize every Monday from 6:00am to Midnight for their chance to win Free Slot Play. One lucky winner each Monday throughout the month will take home $555.00 in cash!

As an early bird special, from 7:00am until 10:00am, 55+ guests can enjoy breakfast in Timbers Buffet each Monday in June for the special price of $5.55.

In July and August, cure a case of the Mondays with Rise and Shine Slot Tournaments exclusively for Guests 55+ from 9:00am until Noon. Guests can register for their chance to play and win Free Slot Play and a first-place prize of $500 in cash. Registration starts at 8:00am each Monday.

Guests must be 55 years of age or older to participate in any of these promotions, dining specials and tournaments, and be a valid Player’s Club member. If you don’t have a Player’s Club card, it is easy and free to sign up. Visit mohegansunpocono.com/playing or a Player’s Club booth for more details.

Double Down With Two For Tuesdays At Mohegan Sun At Pocono Downs

Tony Nunes — Wed, 22 May 2013 11:54:14 +0000

Play to win with Promotions, Tournaments and Dining Specials all summer long

The game is on every Tuesday with Two For Tuesdays as part of Hot Summer Fun at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs. Double the fun with giveaways and dining specials and double your chance to win all summer long!

Each Tuesday in June, guests can earn double the points on their Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs Player’s Club cards all day long while playing their favorite slot machines. But that’s not all. Giveaways will be held every hour for guests playing between 11:00am and 8:00pm. Two slot players every hour will be chosen to win $222.00 in Free Slot Play if they are sitting in the Hot Seat. At 8:00pm, one lucky winner will win $2,200 in Free Slot Play.

Poker enthusiasts will also have two chances to play with a pair of Texas Hold ‘Em Tournaments hosted each Tuesday in June. A $35.00 Turbo No-Limit tournament at Noon will offer players an action-oriented game where the blind levels increase in rapid session. A $75.00 Bounty No-Limit tournament at 7:00pm provides a fun take on Texas Hold ‘Em where players are rewarded for eliminating other players at their table.

Not a gamer? Not a problem. There are also a number of food & beverage specials offered throughout June as part of Two for Tuesday. Some of the delicious deals include a two for $20.00 meal deal at Johnny Rockets, two BBQ beef short ribs sliders served with french fries and coleslaw for $9.99 from 11:30am to 4:00pm at Rustic Kitchen and two scoops of White Russian ice cream for $2.00 at Ben & Jerry’s.

Throughout July and August, Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs will also host Tuesday slot tournaments every thirty minutes from 11:00am until 2:30pm. Guests can register in advance at the valet Player’s Club booth or the day of at the tournament buy-in table on the Sky Bridge. Guests can play for their chance to win Free Slot Play and cash prizes.

Additionally, slot enthusiasts will have another chance to win with $15.00 buy-in slot tournaments held in the afternoon. At the conclusion of each tournament, the top twenty overall scorers will receive a prize of either cash or Free Slot Play. Prize amounts will be determined by the total number of buy-ins for the tournament.

Blackjack fans also have a chance to double down on Tuesdays in July and August with a $20.00 buy-in Blackjack tournament. Players can register in advance at the valet Player’s Club booth or the day of at the tournament buy-in table on the Sky Bridge. The first round sessions will be held each Tuesday at 6:00pm, 6:45pm and 7:30pm. The top twelve scorers from each of the three sessions will compete in the semi-finals at 8:15pm with the top scorer from each table of the semi-finals advancing to compete for a cash prize in the final round at 9:00pm. Prizes will be based on the total number of buy-ins for the tournament.

Guests must be 21 years of age or older to participate in any of these tournaments and be a valid Player’s Club member. If you don’t have a Player’s Club card, it is easy and free to sign up. Visit mohegansunpocono.com/playing or a Player’s Club booth for more details.

Wednesdays Get Wild At Mohegan Sun At Pocono Downs

Tony Nunes — Wed, 22 May 2013 11:52:39 +0000

Cash Cubes and Prize Wheels add even more chances to win this summer

Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs is here to help you get over the midweek hump with Wild Wednesdays where exciting games offer guests a chance to put winning into their own hands throughout Hot Summer Fun!

In June and August, guests playing their favorite slot machines between 11:00am and 8:00pm have a shot at being one of two selected winners each hour to compete in Dueling Cash Cubes. The guest who grabs the most “cash” and “Free Slot Play” during 30 seconds in the cube will win $100.00. Both guests, however, walk away winners as they each keep whatever amount of cash and Free Slot Play they manage to grab while in the cube!

During Wild Wednesdays in July, five lucky guests playing their favorite slot machines from 11:00am to 8:00pm will be randomly chosen each hour for a chance to spin the Wild Wheel for Free Slot Play, cash and Hot Summer Fun prizes.

Parties And Thrills Every Thursday This Summer At Mohegan Sun At Pocono Downs

Tony Nunes — Wed, 22 May 2013 11:50:26 +0000

Plinko, Prizes and the return of Party on the Patio

Party and play with exciting games and the best live music party in Northeast PA during Thrilling Thursdays at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs during the Hot Summer Fun celebration.

For Thrilling Thursdays, Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs is bringing back the popular Plinko promotion. Every Thursday throughout the summer, two winners will be selected each hour from 11:00am until 8:00pm for a chance to try their luck in a game of Plinko. Guests could win prizes of up to $1,000 in Free Slot Play.

Each Thursday also brings the return of the highly-anticipated Party on the Patio on the apron of the racetrack. Exciting cover bands will bring the party each Thursday night starting at 7:30pm from May 30th to August 29th, including Jimmy Buffett tribute band-Parrot Beach, Beatles tribute-Beatlemania, Guns N’ Roses tribute-November Rain and more!

Featured drink specials are also offered during Party on the Patio including $2.00 Coors Light drafts and Patio Punch featuring Aboslut Hibiskus.

The featured bands for summer 2013’s Party on the Patio at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs are as follows:

Memorial Day Weekend, Sunday, May 26th- Bad Hair Day

Thursday, May 30th- Runaway (A tribute to Bon Jovi)

Thursday, June 6th- Separate Ways(A tribute to Journey)

Thursday, June 13th- Tusk (A tribute to Fleetwood Mac)

Thursday, June 20th- November Rain (A tribute to Guns N’ Roses)

Thursday, June 27th- Draw the Line (A tribute to Aerosmith)

Thursday, July 4th- Parrot Beach (A tribute to Jimmy Buffett)

Thursday, July 11th- Beatlemania (A tribute to The Beatles)

Thursday, July 18th- Satisfaction (A tribute to The Rolling Stones)

Thursday, July 25th- Pyromania (A tribute to Def Leppard)

Thursday, August 1st- Runaway (A tribute to Bon Jovi)

Thursday, August 8th- Back In Black (A tribute to AC/DC)

Thursday, August 15th- Tramps Like Us (A tribute to Bruce Springsteen)

Thursday, August 22nd- Stayin’ Alive (A tribute to The Bee Gees)

Thursday, August 29th- Almost Queen (A tribute to Queen)

Sunday, September 1st- TBD

Anything Can Happen On Fridays During Hot Summer Fun At Mohegan Sun At Pocono Downs

Tony Nunes — Wed, 22 May 2013 11:48:37 +0000

Fantastic prizes just for being in the right place at the right time

Expect the unexpected at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs this summer with Anything Can Happen. As part of Funtastic Fridays and Hot Summer Fun, Anything Can Happen for guests at random for being in the right place at the right time.

Here’s how it works: each Friday throughout the summer at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs from 5:00pm to 11:00pm, individuals or groups will be surprised with amazing prizes. Someone may be enjoying a meal at Ruth’s Chris Steak House , hanging out on the Patio watching a race, enjoying a Martini at Pearl, dancing to a band in Breakers, playing Poker or even signing up for a Player’s Club Card when the Anything Can Happen prize patrol approaches!

Prizes will vary each week and while the details on the times, locations and prizes are TOP SECRET, guests could walk away with such prizes as a gourmet meal, tickets, travel, a gas grill, diamond jewelry, a VIP experience and more! Anything Can Happen, and something amazing will each Friday all summer long at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs!

Weekends Heat Up During Hot Summer Fun At Mohegan Sun At Pocono Downs

Tony Nunes — Wed, 22 May 2013 11:46:06 +0000

Convertible giveaways and gifts all summer long

Heat up your weekends this summer at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs with Sizzling Saturdays and Sunsational Sundays.

From June through August, guests will have a chance to win one of three convertibles being given away throughout the summer with Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs’ Convertible Giveaway. As part of Sizzling Saturdays, one car will be given away each month. To enter, Player’s Club members can earn entries just by playing their favorite slot, table or by wagering on the races each Saturday throughout the summer from 6:00am to Midnight. The first drawing will be held on June 29th at 8:00pm. Click here (hyperlink click here) for more details.

Guests can also enjoy It-All-Adds-Up Play and Get Gifts as part of Sunsational Sundays. Player’s Club members will automatically earn entries to win various gifts and prizes just by playing their favorite table game or slot machine from 8:00am to 10:00pm each Sunday from June through August. Once guests get their entries, they can check them at the promotional kiosk or slot machine to see if they’ve earned the five (5) entries required to get that week’s gift.

Captaintreacherous Shines in 2013 Debut at Pocono

jstarr — Mon, 20 May 2013 16:29:34 +0000

May 19, 2013

Most horses need a start after a long layoff before they can find their top form. Then again, most horses aren’t Captaintreacherous, who hit the ground pacing in his first start of the year on Sunday night at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs, dominating his division of the Pennsylvania Sire Stakes for 3-year-old colts and geldings.

Captaintreacherous was racing for the first time since a heartbreaking loss at Woodbine in the Breeders Crown in October capped a season in which he won 8 of 10 races and earned $918,253 while captivating the harness racing world with his electric talent. His 2013 debut came against a tough field of seven with an outside post, but the 3-year-old colt from the Tony Alagna barn was still made the 1-9 favorite.

The heavy favorite sat fourth early as several horses vied for the lead, which was held at the quarter by Twincreeks Jesse. Driver Tim Tetrick set Captaintreacherous in motion on the front stretch first-over and he was able to clear Twincreeks Jesse at the half. Although the fractions were taxing to that point, Captaintreacherous got no pressure on the back stretch and powered through the lane without any urging to a 3 ½ length victory in 1:49:4, with a closing kick of 26:3. Dedi’s Dragon rallied for second while Twincreeks Jesse faded to third.

Owned by Captaintreacherous Racing of Kentucky, Captaintreacherous now has nine wins in 11 career races, and his lifetime earnings, with the winner’s share of the $62,587 purse, now stand at $949,547.

Captaintreacherous may have been the headliner, but he had to share the spotlight on this night with driver Dave Palone, who won the other three Sire Stakes divisions on the card, and Normandy Invasion, who set a new track record in his Sire Stakes win.

Normandy Invasion, who came in from the Meadows for trainer Brian Brown, left from post position #5 in his split and quickly gunned to the front end. Palone urged Normandy Invasion around the first turn to rebuff a play for the lead from favored Lonewolf Currier. The 3-year-old gelding did the rest, building a huge lead up front and tripping the line in 1:48:4, 2 ¾ lengths ahead of Twilight Bonfire with Bigrisk picking up the show. That winning time bested the previous Pocono mark for 3-year-old geldings on the pace of 1:49:1, which was set by Bet On The Law in October of last year.

Palone also scored front end victories in the other two splits. He and trainer Brown hooked up for a second win with Beach Memories, who bounced back from a break in his last start to win easily in 1:51:2. Palone was also a winner for trainer Chris Ryder aboard Martini Hanover, whose second start of the year produced a 5 ½ length win in 1:49:3.

Pence Hanover Wins Saturday Night Feature at Pocono

jstarr — Mon, 20 May 2013 16:06:01 +0000

May 18, 2013

Pence Hanover relied on a pocket trip and powerful late kick to pick up a win in Saturday night’s featured Preferred pace at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs. The race carried the night’s top purse of $25,000.

Leaving from post position #4 in a field of eight as the 9-2 third betting choice, Pence Hanover (Western Hanover-Popcorn Penny), a 7-year-old gelding from the Aaron Lambert barn, was able to sit the pocket behind pacesetter Meirs Hanover. Even though the fractions weren’t too taxing, driver Andrew McCarthy was able to urge Pence Hanover to a rallying stretch win in the final strides over Meirs Hanover in 1:50:2. Here We Go Again picked up the show.

Pence Hanover, owned by Carl Cito Jr., won for the fifth time in 14 2013 starts. The victory was the 25^th of his career and pushed his lifetime earnings to $257,955.

Saturday night’s racing at Pocono also featured eight $20,000 divisions of The Stallion Series for 3-year-old colts and geldings on the pace. The first of those divisions was the fastest of the night, as Matt Kakaley guided the Ron Burke trainee The Pan Poobah (The Panderosa-Pandalay Bay) to a scorching win in 1:50:4.

Kakaley would crank out four Stallion Series wins on the night at Pocono, including two with Burke and two more for trainer Ron Potter. He won again with Burke with UF Dragons Cruiser in 1:53:3. With Potter, he scored with Ilikeitrealhot in 1:51:2 and My One True Desire in 1:52:3.

Driver Jim Morrill Jr. and Chris Oakes connected on a pair of Stallion Series winners: Big Time Promise in 1:52:4 and Shock It To Em in 1:52. Morrill added a third win aboard Moonliteonthebeach for trainer Eddie Hart in 1:51:3. The other Stallion Series split was captured by Some Kinda Beach and the father-son team of driver Marcus Miller and trainer Erv Miller in 1:52.