Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania’s premier stakes event, Sun Stakes Saturday, always delivers an action-packed wallop of harness racing, with some eye-popping times and superior horses delivering stellar performances on the historic 5/8 mile track in Northeastern PA.
This event, with $2,300,000 in purses, is set for August 17, and looks to be just as impressive, with the horses everyone is talking about coming to 
defend their outstanding seasons in the track’s big money events. Included in the race day will be food trucks; face painting and balloon animals for the children, plus exclusive giveaways, trivia, and wagering support from Pennsylvania Horse Racing Association.
Prior to 2020, Sun Stakes Saturday was held in early July, but in 2021, was moved to August. “When the event was held earlier in the summer, eliminations determined the finals,” explained Pocono Downs Race Secretary Rick Kane. “Everyone loves the present format with no need for the eliminations, requiring two weeks in a horse’s busy stakes schedule.”
“This (current) format that determines what level of an event a horse races in is based on seasonal earnings,” Rick said. “So these events have to be late in the summer to allow the horsemen to accumulate their earnings from the other top events in North America. It allows us to promote the horses who captured those races.”
The stacked card features the Max C. Hempt Memorial for three-year-old pacers, Earl Beal Jr. Memorial for three-year-old trotters, James M. Lynch Memorial for three-year-old female pacers and the Delmonica Hanover for three-year-old female trotters. There will be two consolations for each of those. In addition, two invitationals return-the Always B Miki Invitational for older pacers and the Sebastian K Invitational for older trotters.
The $300,000 Max Hempt Memorial is in honor of the former president of the Hambletonian Society and director of the United States Trotting Association. He was also a successful amateur driver. When his father, George L. Hempt passed away, he took over his father’s breeding operation, and became a successful and major breeder.
The race celebrating him looks to be a thriller, with Legendary Hanover, fresh off a 1:46.2 win in the Cane Pace at the Meadowlands on Hambeltonian Day entered in the $300,000 event. With three wins in a row coming into this race, including the Cane, which was a track and stakes record, and a fifth off the world record, and the Meadowlands Pace, which was another jaw-dropping effort in 1:46.3, all eyes will be on the ‘legendary’ colt trained by Anthony Beaton.
Also entered in the Hempt final, which is race 12, is Captain Albano, winner of the Adios Pace for the Orchids in 1:49.2. The Noel Daley-trained colt has two wins in a row coming into this race. Rounding out the stellar field is Wish You Well; Captain’s Quarters; Breeders Crown winner Gem Quality; Timeisonmyside; Sweet Beach Life; and Mirage Hanover.
The $300,000 Earl Beal Jr. Memorial Trot, boasting past winners such as Googoo Gaaga in 2012; Father Patrick in a World Record of 1:50.2 in 2014; and Southwind Frank in 1:52.4 in 2016, is shaping up to shine with star power once again.
The race is named for the Pennsylvania Harness Horsemen’s Association’s Beal, whose contributions to harness racing are immeasurable. Working closely with then-Executive Director Ron Battoni and Sam Beegle, he was instrumental in introducing interstate and intrastate simulcasting to Pennsylvania, as well as Off-track wagering. Most importantly, he was instrumental in the law that allowed casino gaming to the state. With gambling prevalent in the state, Beal ensured that all harness horsemen were protected with health care and benefits, breeding awards, purses, and state-sired programs.*
This edition of the Beal features Millionaire-plus TCI, the richest two-year old trotter, for trainer Ron Burke, fresh off the Hambletonian where he finished 5th by 3 3/4 in that torrential downpour. Rounding out the strong group of trotters will be Situationship and Amazing Catch for Ake Svanstedt; the Noel Daley-trained Sig Sauer; Security Protected for Marcus Melander; Spaaaazano; Fly By; and Gruesome Twosome.
To add sassy spice to the card, toss in a fabulous field of fillies in the James M. Lynch Memorial (race 10) featuring My Girl EJ and Rocket Deo; terrific trotters in the Delmonica Hanover (race 11) with Warrawee Michelle heading to Pocono straight from the Hambletonian Oaks, and the spectacular Elista Hanover; and two outstanding Invitationals to take the fan’s breath away.
Do. Not. Miss. This.
Track announcer Jim Beviglia is getting ready to call his 14th Sun Stakes Saturday, and is already looking forward to stepping in the booth to call another superb card. “I know I probably say this every year, but this is the deepest field I can remember for Sun Stakes Saturday. Legendary Hanover alone would make for a standout card. Add in Jiggy Jog S in the Sebastian K, Allywag Hanover looking to do it again in the Always B Miki, a great rematch in the Delmonica Hanover, and tight fields in the Beal and Lynch. It’s going to be an amazing program,” he said emphatically.
Rick Kane agrees that this will be truly memorable, and is looking forward to some thrills on the track. “Legendary Hanover is the one to watch in the Max Hempt Memorial,” he predicts. “And TCI looks to shine in the Beal!”
**The Sun Stakes Saturday supercard will also have four guaranteed pools in multi-race bets, in conjunction with the USTA’s Strategic Wagering Initiative:
–Starting in Race 1 — $10,000 Guaranteed Pool in the Early Pick 4 wager
–Starting in Race 5 — $5000 Guaranteed Pool in the Pick 5 wager
–Starting in Race 9 — $5000 Guaranteed Pool in the Late Pick 3 wager
–Starting in Race 10 — $15,000 Guaranteed Pool in the Late Pick 4 wager.
https://harnessmuseum.com/content/max-c-hempt-0
*PHHA
**PHHA/Pocono
