The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono will continue its End of Year Awards on closing night (Saturday, November 26), as it will honour the driver and trainer of the year in special ceremonies in the Hanover Shoe Farms Winner’s Circle.
George Napolitano Jr. will again come out on top of the driving colony, as he has been the pacesetter from practically the first ‘They are underway!,’ while trainer Chris Oakes had a terrific end to his local campaign to take home the trainers’ title.
George Napolitano Jr. was far clear in the drivers dash-winning derby, as his total of 359 victories has been eclipsed locally in one season only by the 407 victories ‘George Nap’ rang up last year. This was the 10th year where Napolitano led the Pocono driving colony in sulky successes, and it was the eighth time he posted the highest UDR of the meeting, with a .383 ‘batting average’ with three local cards to go in 2016.
‘G-Nap’ got many of his victories behind horses trained by Chris Oakes. The trainer has won his third Pocono training title with scorching fractions late in the year, as he has posted 34 Pocono victories since October 1 (32 of them driven by Napolitano) to bust open what had been a good battle with three-time defending champion Rene Allard.
Closing night will also be a special fan appreciation night, as the track will give back to the loyal fans that have been watching and wagering on Pocono racing all season. Fans can win up to $100 in live racing vouchers and other prizes, printing right from the tote machines starting at 6:00 p.m. Pacer’s Clubhouse will also be open one final time for the season with dinner starting at 5:00 p.m. by reservation only, 1-888-WIN-IN-PA.
Pocono will also be airing its special ‘farewell video’ which spotlights the season’s best races, horsemen, and the track team members. The video is produced by International Sound Corporation in conjunction with Pocono Marketing.
(Pocono)