On Thursday, May 25, horsepeople and friends from The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono and Harrah’s Philadelphia came together for a night of fun and fundraising in benefit of the Harness Horse Youth Foundation.

The evening, held at Chako’s Bowling Center in Wilkes-Barre, featured a pizza-eating contest with six teams of two given 30 minutes to polish off a five and a half-pound pie. ‘Team Sleeper’—Ollie Rose and Richard Young Jr.—stopped the timer at 11:35, with gas still left in the tank.

“We always appreciate the ongoing support of the Pennsylvania Harness Horseman’s Association,” said HHYF Executive Director Ellen Taylor, “but we especially welcomed their creativity with this ‘fun’draiser to benefit HHYF!”

Joe Antonelli, coordinator of PHHA special events – including lining up volunteers during the HHYF camp at Pocono – organized the occasion. The admission fee/donation for attendees included all-you-can-eat wings, pizza, soft drinks and dessert contributed by the PHHA, plus unlimited free bowling and raffle tickets for dozens of prizes provided by more than 20 donors.

Local horseman Bob Baggitt won a set of Nitro race bike wheels and donated them back for auction, resulting in additional funds. Total raised for the evening was $2,000.

(HHYF)