The activity at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono is growing every day in anticipation of the track’s 56th year of harness racing, a season which begins on Saturday, Feb. 6.

Horses are already training over the track during set hours every day. Pocono would like horsemen to know that because of the winter weather peaking right around the corner, there will be NO training over the Pocono surface on Tuesday, January 26.

The first qualifiers for the 2021 season at the mountain oval will be held on Monday, Feb. 1 and Tuesday, Feb. 2, with both sessions starting at 10 a.m. (EST). Horsemen should declare entries for the Monday qualifiers by Saturday at 11 a.m., and for the Tuesday qualifiers by Monday at 11 a.m.

The draw for the opening night’s card of racing on Feb. 6 will be held on Monday, Feb. 1, with the box closing at its normal time of 9 a.m.

There will be no racing on the Sunday, Feb. 7, after the first card because of the Super Bowl. The next weekend, Feb. 13-14, the track will start its regular February schedule of Saturday afternoons at 12:30 p.m. and Sundays at 5 p.m. Mondays will be added to the schedule starting March 1, and Tuesdays in April, with the racing on both those days carrying a post time of 12:30 p.m.

Horsemen who would like to race in the Game Of Claims Series for pacers are reminded that nominations must be postmarked by Saturday, Jan. 30. Conditions and entry forms for the Game Of Claims Series are available on the Pennsylvania Harness Horsemen’s Association website (www.phha.org). The various series will have their first legs on the weekend of Feb. 13-14.

Pocono Director of Racing Rick Kane will be available at (570) 831-2128 during the mornings before the meet should any questions arise.

(PHHA/Pocono)