First Pocono qualifiers set for Feb. 9
At 0h03, on February 8, 2026 • By PHHA Pocono
The trotters and pacers return to Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania for the first time in 2026 on Monday (Feb. 9) at 11 a.m., as seven qualifying races will be held in preparation for the track’s initial betting card of the year at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 14.
Tyler Buter, Pocono’s winningest driver in 2025, and Jason Bartlett, UDR champion locally last year, are set to compete in the first morning session, along with Matt Kakaley, who will be looking for his fourth Pocono dash title in five years and who has the most “calls,” 10, on the early sheet.
Quality horses will also continue their preparation for the purse races, with many of them not having started in 2026. Trainer Scott Blackler will send out Catalpa Rescue A, third in the $250,000 MGM Grand Prix Final at Yonkers in December, and also Captain Moore A, winner of the Grand Prix $100,000 Consolation. Open-level trotters will be cranking up for the new campaign, as well several horses looking to be likely candidates for the Game Of Claims Pacing Series for $25,000 base tag horses, which holds its first preliminary round on Opening Day.
Another set of qualifiers will be drawn Monday and raced on Tuesday (Feb. 10) at 11 a.m. Tuesday is also draw day for the February 14 opener of the 2026 Pocono campaign, with the box closing at 9 a.m. for pari-mutuel cards. Pocono’s basic schedule throughout the year will be Saturday, Monday, and Tuesday at 1 p.m.; nine consecutive Sunday cards with a 5 p.m. twilight post time will begin May 31.
