 POCONO
DOWNS
 Pocono Downs is a harness racing track near Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. It’s
widely acknowledged as one of the best smaller-sized tracks in America. Live
racing dates are usually held from April to October.
Pocono Downs hosts several important harness racing stakes events each year.
Among these are the Pennsylvania Sires Stakes, the Max Hempt Memorial Pace,
the James Lynch Memorial Pace and the Reynolds Stakes.
Pocono Downs has a 5/8-mile oval track. The length of the stretch is 490 feet
and its surface has a stone aggregate base; the body is largely composed of
stone dust; and has red rock screenings in the top layer.
The Grandstand can accommodate up to 3,000 while the clubhouse can hold up
to 500. The stable, meanwhile, can accommodate up to 900 horses.
Pocono Downs Track Records
TYPE |
HORSE |
TIME |
DRIVER |
DATE |
Colt
Filly
Gelding
|
KendrickHanover
Beignet Hanover
HR’s Miller Gold
|
1:57.1 (1:56.2)
1:57.2 (1:56.1)
2:00.3 (1:58.0) |
J. Takter
Mike Simons
Todd Schadel
|
8/28/98
7/12/03
7/15/03
|
Colt
Filly
Gelding
|
SJ's Caviar
Windylane Hanover
Helluva Hush
|
1:54.1* (1:54.1)
1:55.2* (1:54.3)
1:55.2 (1:55.0)
|
R. Blanton, Jr.
Ron Pierce
D. Chellis
|
7/22/01
8/17/02
6/29/03
|
Horse
Mare
Gelding
|
ENS Snapshot
Lifelong Victory
Springtop
|
1:54.3 (1:54.1)
1:54.2 (1:54.2)
1:56.0 (1:55.0)
|
M. Simons
M. LaChance
D. Chellis
|
6/24/03
7/28/96
7/11/98
|
Horse
Mare
Gelding
|
Feisty GG
French Bait
Norwell Shadow
|
1:56.2 (1:53.4)
1:56.0 (1:53.3)
1:54.4 (1:53.2)
|
Wm. Lambertus
K. Sizer
C. Huckabone
|
8/23/98
8/09/98
8/31/97
|
TYPE |
HORSE |
TIME |
DRIVER |
DATE |
Colt
Colt
Filly
Gelding
|
Pro Bono Best
Whatanartist
Gordon's Jin MS
Make A Success
|
1:52.0 (1:51.1)
1:52.0 (1:51.1)
1:52.3* (1:52.3)
1:52
(1:52)
|
W. Case, Jr.
Brian Sears
W. Hennessey
W. Mike Wilder
|
7/22/00
9/21/02
8/18/02
9/21/02
|
Colt
Filly
Gelding
|
Jenna's Beach Boy
Gordon’s Jin MS
Mark’s Superstar
|
1:51.2 (1:50.1)
1:51.0* (1.51.0)
1:50.3 (1:50.0)
|
W. Fahy
Brian Sears
M. Wilder
|
5/13/95
7/06/03
9/08/02
|
Horse
Mare
Gelding
|
Space Shuttle
She's a Great
Lady
Charlie Scooter
|
1:50.3 (1:49.2)
1:51.0
(1:51.0)
1:52.1
(1:50.2)
|
W. Case, Jr.
K. Sizer
S. DeCample III
|
6/10/00
8/31/96
5/18/02
|
Horse
Mare
Gelding
|
Stand Forever*
Time Frame N
Shadow Dance
|
1:50.0 (1:49.1)
1:52.2 (1:52.0)
1:51.0 (1:50.3)
|
J. Moiseyev
M. Simons
R. Wojcio
|
5/31/97
6/08/02
8/24/96
|
* Track Record
( ) World Record 5/8 mile track |
DIST. |
HORSE |
TIME |
DRIVER |
DATE |
5/8
mile
11/16
mile
1 & 1/16 mile
1 & 1/4 mile
|
Lieut Harkie
Maverick
Rebel Chris
Sweet Talking Guy
|
1:14.2
1:18.2
2:20.1
2:29.2
|
A. Minieri
K. DiBenedetto
C. Vitale
S. DeCample
|
9/30/79
7/09/92
5/08/87
6/06/92
|
History of Pocono Downs
A crowd
estimated at 12,000 showed up for Pocono Downs’ opening on July
15, 1965. The race track costs an estimated $7 million to build and among
its founders were James and Anna Jean Durkin.
Pocono Downs
Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
The track record during that inaugural season was 2:00.4, established by a
horse named Heineken. The record for a trotter was 2:02.2 by Singing Arrow.
From 1965 through 1981, there were only 100 horses to break the two-minute
barrier.
From 1970 to 1980, thoroughbred racing was held at Pocono Downs when the Shamrock
Racing Association shared the track. Pocono Downs briefly ceased operations
in mid-1972 and served as an evacuation center for residents displaced by the
great flood brought about by hurricane Agnes.
Penn National Gaming, Inc., the track's parent company, purchased Pocono Downs
for $47 million in November of 1996 from the estate of the late Joseph B. Banks.
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