Pocono Downs Raceway

Pocono Downs Raceway 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 Raceway 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 Raceway 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 Raceway Records

TROT 2 Year Olds 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 3 Year Olds 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 4 Year Olds 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 5 Year Olds & Older 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

PACE

2 Year Olds

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

3 Year Olds

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

4 Year Olds

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

5 Year Olds & Older

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

Other Distances

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 Raceway

A crowd estimated at 12,000 showed up for Pocono Downs' opening on July 15, 1965. The racetrack costs an estimated $7 million to build and among its founders were James and Anna Jean Durkin.

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 Raceway when the Shamrock Racing Association shared the track. Pocono Downs Raceway 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 Raceway for $47 million in November of 1996 from the estate of the late Joseph B. Banks.

Place a bet on your favorite horse now!