Duo of champions: Football legend Joe Montana meets driver David Miller at Pocono. (Photo: Rick Kane)
Sunny skies and mild temperatures greeted fans at The Downs at Mohegan Sun for Preakness Day—which the racetrack turned into a weekend long patio with live music, live racing, and a special appearance by NFL legend Joe Montana.
Montana took a special interest in the behind-the-scenes harness racing activity, meeting several horsemen including driver David Miller. A horse enthusiast and former rider, he told SI in 2013:
"The only thing I did that even came close [to the rush of playing football] was, I had a bunch of cutting horses I used to ride," Montana says. "That was the closest thing to getting your adrenaline going. It was so much fun."
He kept horses at his estate in Northern California and traveled to Texas and Oklahoma to compete in the biggest events. His favorite horse was named That Cool Cat. (Really.) The fact that this was Joe Montana riding those horses did not seem to matter to the other riders. ("That was the best thing about it—they didn't care who you were.") For two and a half minutes he felt as if he was in the fourth quarter again.
Two bands took the stage prior to the Preakness, Encorz and The Fellas, playing to an enthusiastic crowd who then turned their attention to the thoroughbred action on Pocono's big screen followed by live racing. In addition, there were trackside food concessions, patio bars serving the signature Black Eyed Susan cocktail in free commemorative glasses and more. All in all, two exciting and fun days of celebrating pure horse racing enjoyment.
"The only thing I did that even came close [to the rush of playing football] was, I had a bunch of cutting horses I used to ride," Montana says. "That was the closest thing to getting your adrenaline going. It was so much fun."
He kept horses at his estate in Northern California and traveled to Texas and Oklahoma to compete in the biggest events. His favorite horse was named That Cool Cat. (Really.) The fact that this was Joe Montana riding those horses did not seem to matter to the other riders. ("That was the best thing about it—they didn't care who you were.") For two and a half minutes he felt as if he was in the fourth quarter again.
Two bands took the stage prior to the Preakness, Encorz and The Fellas, playing to an enthusiastic crowd who then turned their attention to the thoroughbred action on Pocono's big screen followed by live racing. In addition, there were trackside food concessions, patio bars serving the signature Black Eyed Susan cocktail in free commemorative glasses and more. All in all, two exciting and fun days of celebrating pure horse racing enjoyment.
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