You're standing on the apron at Mohegan Pennsylvania. The smell of popcorn mixes with the sharp scent of damp track dirt. You've got a program in your hand, but let's be honest: looking at pocono downs harness racing entries can feel like trying to decode a foreign language if you don't know the local rhythm.
It isn't just about picking the horse with the coolest name.
If you want to actually understand what's happening behind the starting gate at Wilkes-Barre, you have to look at the nuances of the 5/8-mile oval. Most people think a fast mile at the Meadowlands translates perfectly to Pocono. It doesn't. Not even close.
Cracking the Code of Pocono Downs Harness Racing Entries
Finding the entries is the easy part. You can grab them straight from the United States Trotting Association (USTA) or the official Mohegan Pennsylvania website. But reading them? That’s where the art comes in.
When you look at the entries for a typical Saturday card, you aren't just looking at horse names. You're looking at post positions. At Pocono, the "rail" (Post 1) and Post 5 are traditionally strong, but the track is known for being relatively fair compared to some of the "half-mile " bullrings in New York.
Take a look at the Sun Stakes schedule for 2026. We’re talking about massive events like the Earl Beal Jr. Memorial and the Max C. Hempt Memorial. For these races, the entries aren't just local overnight horses. These are the bluebloods of the sport. The purses for the 2026 Beal and Hempt are sitting at $300,000 for the main events.
If you see a horse entered in the Bobby Weiss Series in April, you’re looking at up-and-coming talent. These races are the bread and butter of the spring season.
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The Driver Colony Dynamics
You cannot talk about entries without talking about the guys in the sulky.
Tyler Buter didn't just stumble into the 2025 driving title; he dominated it with 300 wins. If you see his name on the entries tonight, you're looking at a guy who knows exactly how to time a move on the backstretch.
Then there’s the "King of Pocono," George Napolitano Jr. George has more wins at this track than most people have hot dinners. He and his brother, Anthony Napolitano, are perennial threats. Honestly, if a horse is moving from a smaller track and picks up George Jr. for the first time, that’s a massive "tell" in the entries.
Why the Trainer Matters More Than You Think
Ever noticed how Ron Burke seems to have a horse in every other race?
There is a reason for that. Burke is the winningest trainer in the sport, and he treats Pocono like his backyard. In 2025, he pulled in nearly $2 million in purses at this track alone. When you’re scanning the pocono downs harness racing entries, a Burke entry usually means the horse is ready to go.
But don't ignore the "percentage" trainers like Hunter Oakes or Travis Alexander. Their horses might not be in every race, but when they show up, they are usually "live."
Understanding the 2026 Stakes Calendar
If you're looking at the entries during the summer, you're likely seeing the Pennsylvania Sire Stakes (PASS). This is where the big money lives.
- May 16, 2026: Keep an eye out for the 3-year-old colt pacers.
- The Sun Stakes (August): This is the pinnacle. The entries for this day are basically a "Who's Who" of harness racing.
- Game of Claims: These races are wild. Horses change hands for $25,000 or $30,000 after the finish, which means the trainers are pushing them to their absolute limit to get one last win.
The Bobby Weiss Series finals in late April are another highlight. For a horse to make it through all three legs and into the $50,000 final, they have to be incredibly tough.
How to Get the Latest Entry Info
If you want to stay ahead of the crowd, you need to know where to look before the betting windows open.
- USTA "Week at a Glance": This is the gold standard. It’s updated constantly.
- Mohegan Pennsylvania Site: They offer free "Live Racing" programs often. It’s a PDF, usually available a couple of days before the race.
- The PHHA (Pennsylvania Harness Horsemen's Association): They provide some of the best insights into scratches and driver changes.
Scratches are a huge deal. If the morning line favorite is scratched, it changes the entire geometry of the race. Check the "Stats, Changes & Scratches" section of the track website about an hour before the 1:00 PM or 6:00 PM post times.
What No One Tells You About Betting the Entries
Everyone looks at the "Last 5" starts. That's fine. But what you should really look for in the entries is "Track Bias."
Some days at Pocono, the speed just holds. If the first three winners all lead from start to finish, stop betting on the horses coming from the back. It sounds simple, but you'd be surprised how many people ignore what’s happening right in front of them.
Also, look for horses shipping in from Yonkers or Saratoga. The move from a 1/2-mile track to Pocono’s 5/8-mile can give a horse "extra lungs." They feel like they have all the room in the world to move.
Actionable Next Steps
To make the most of your next look at the entries, start by downloading the 2026 Stakes Schedule from the Mohegan Pennsylvania racing portal to see when the high-value horses will be in town.
Cross-reference the driver standings from the previous month to see who is currently "hot"—drivers often go on streaks that the morning line odds haven't caught up to yet.
Finally, check the "Paddock Schedule" if you're going in person; knowing which race is the first half of the Daily Double or the start of the Pick 4 can help you structure your day before the first horse even hits the track.