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PLAINS TWP. — And they’re off.
Saturday night marked the start of the racing season at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono, kicking off eight months of live harness races at the 5/8-mile oval track.
The racetrack off Route 315 opened in July 1965 as Pocono Downs, with its debut attracting Gov. William Scranton and other dignitaries. Its fortunes rose and fell over the years, as other forms of gambling — notably state lotteries and the casinos of Atlantic City — started to siphon away the interest and betting dollars 0f Pennsylvanians.
Racing at the track has seen a resurgence since 2005, when the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority of Connecticut purchased the 400-acre Pocono Downs property and began work on what has become a sprawling entertainment complex including casino gambling, live events, food and a hotel.
The track’s 2018 schedule will include the return of the Breeders Crown year-end championships in October, marking their appearance at Pocono for the third time since 2010.
Times Leader photographer Sean McKeag takes us on behind-the-scenes look at a night in the life of the track as racing got underway for the season on Saturday.