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<p>PLAINS TWP. &#8212; The lots outside Mohegan Sun Pocono were filled Saturday evening as hundreds of residents from the Wyoming Valley and beyond went green &#8212; not only for St. Patrick&#8217;s Day but to celebrate the opening night of harness racing.</p><p>Eager spectators lined every available window as they searched through programs, placed bets and cheered on their choices at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono throughout the evening&#8217;s 14 races.</p><p>Navigating her way through a packed simulcast room downstairs, Racing Marketing Directer Jennifer Starr explained that to many, opening night of racing marks the unofficial start of spring in Northeast Pennsylvania.</p><p>&#8220;The crowd here, regardless of how cold it is, has been phenomenal tonight,&#8221; she said.</p><p>Saturday&#8217;s brisk weather, a stark contrast from Friday&#8217;s warm and sunny skies, forced many patrons to view the races from inside. Many fans didn&#8217;t seem to mind the change, however, as all eyes were glued to hundreds of simulcast screens as the third race neared its end.</p><p>To celebrate the opener, Starr said the first 100 patrons were able to get $100 of vouchers at half price.</p><p>All spectators were eligible for another bargain &#8212; a new option that allows guests a seat inside Pacers Clubhouse with a personal simulcast screen and a program for $3.</p><p>Montoursville resident Kelly Pentz decided to take her chances outside, donning a St. Patty-themed outfit as she cheered on her horse and driver of choice.</p><p>Originally coming to the casino to celebrate the holiday, Pentz decided to stop and watch some of the races for the first time. After seeing the excitement for herself, Pentz could understand why the races are such an attraction.</p><p>&#8220;I would assume it&#8217;s basically just the adrenaline rush you get of whether your horse is winning or not,&#8221; she explained.</p><p><strong>&#8216;Like a landmark&#8217;</strong></p><p>Vice President of Racing Dale Rapson said the season&#8217;s excitement has just begun.</p><p>Through March, races will continue Saturdays and Sundays starting at 7 p.m. and on Tuesdays at 4 p.m. to help better accommodate fans. Then starting in April, races will be held four days per week, starting at 4 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays and 7 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.</p><p>The racing will continue through Saturday, Nov. 16, making for a total of 133 live racing dates for the year.</p><p>For Jay-Jay Neely, who has been coming to The Downs for years, opening night has become a tradition. He remembers coming to watch races as a child with his father.</p><p>&#8220;I haven&#8217;t missed a year in a long, long time,&#8221; he said. &#8220;It&#8217;s very, very busy. This is one of the busiest nights I&#8217;ve ever seen.&#8221;</p><p>According to Rapson, racing has been a longtime tradition not just for Neely, but for thousands of area residents. The reason so many fans keep returning, he said, is due to the quality of the track and the overall experience.</p><p>&#8220;We put a lot of pride in our overnight races because we have the best horses, trainers and drivers,&#8221; he said. &#8220;A lot of people grew up in this area, and it&#8217;s part of the valley, it&#8217;s part of the area. It&#8217;s like a landmark. If you put on a good show, I think people will come up.&#8221;</p><style>
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<div class="neCaption">Dean Mack, of Tiverton, R.I., places his wager in the simulcast area at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono in Plains Township on opening night for harness racing Saturday. The racing action continues through fall at the track. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/web1_TTL031719HarnessRacing_1-1-1-1.jpg</photo0><caption0>Dean Mack, of Tiverton, R.I., places his wager in the simulcast area at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono in Plains Township on opening night for harness racing Saturday. The racing action continues through fall at the track. </caption0><photoCredit0>Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader </photoCredit0></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/web1_TTL031719HarnessRacing_2-1-1-1.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Roy, who traveled from Vienna, N.J., placees his wagers with Bonnie at the teller window at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono in Plains Township on opening night Saturday. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo1>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/web1_TTL031719HarnessRacing_2-1-1-1.jpg</photo1><caption1>Roy, who traveled from Vienna, N.J., placees his wagers with Bonnie at the teller window at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono in Plains Township on opening night Saturday. </caption1><photoCredit1>Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader </photoCredit1></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/web1_TTL031719HarnessRacing_5-1-1-1.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Harness-racing enthusiasts place their wagers in the simulcast area of The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono in Plains Township on Saturday. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo2>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/web1_TTL031719HarnessRacing_5-1-1-1.jpg</photo2><caption2>Harness-racing enthusiasts place their wagers in the simulcast area of The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono in Plains Township on Saturday. </caption2><photoCredit2>Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader </photoCredit2></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/web1_TTL031719HarnessRacing_6-1-1-1.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">A group of women cheer on their horses on opening night of the 2019 harness-racing season at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono in Plains Township on Saturday. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo3>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/web1_TTL031719HarnessRacing_6-1-1-1.jpg</photo3><caption3>A group of women cheer on their horses on opening night of the 2019 harness-racing season at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono in Plains Township on Saturday. </caption3><photoCredit3>Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader </photoCredit3></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/web1_TTL031719HarnessRacing_3-1-1-1.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">War-N-Munn and driver Tyler Buter win the first harness race of the 2019 season at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono in Plains Township on Saturday&#8217;s opening night. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo4>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/web1_TTL031719HarnessRacing_3-1-1-1.jpg</photo4><caption4>War-N-Munn and driver Tyler Buter win the first harness race of the 2019 season at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono in Plains Township on Saturday&#8217;s opening night. </caption4><photoCredit4>Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader </photoCredit4></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/web1_TTL031719HarnessRacing_4-1-1-1.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Trainer Brad Irvine and first-race winner War-N-Munn leave the winner&#8217;s circle on opening night for the 2019 harness-racing season at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono in Plains Township on Saturday. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo5>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/web1_TTL031719HarnessRacing_4-1-1-1.jpg</photo5><caption5>Trainer Brad Irvine and first-race winner War-N-Munn leave the winner&#8217;s circle on opening night for the 2019 harness-racing season at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono in Plains Township on Saturday. </caption5><photoCredit5>Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader </photoCredit5></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><subheadMeta>Big crowd comes out for opener at The Downs</subheadMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Marcella Kester</p><p>For Times Leader</p></bylineMeta></div>

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Let the racing begin: Harness season kicks off at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono