The Dr. King Pace is not only Monticello Raceway’s annual
tribute to the great civil rights leader but the race will be the first leg of
the tracks 2013 Heritage Drivers Series.
On January 17, 2012 Williams, known to his friends as
‘Boonie’, scored a 2:01.2 victory with Mt. Vernon Hanover after stalking the
odds-on favorite and then rallied to his victory in the Dr. King Pace. And
although Williams has competed in all of the Dr. King Paces since the race as
inception in 2001 last year was the first time that he was victorious in the
event.
When the horses line-up behind the mobile starting gate on
January 22 Williams won’t be the only former champion back in action. Also
slated to participate is Cedric Washington , a three time winner of the Dr.
King Paces who won the inaugural event and then was triumphant again 2003 and
2011, and joining the fray this year are former Dr. King Pace winners, George
Polk, Jr. (2010) and Dennis Watson (2008).
“However, we will still need eight drivers to have a full
field in the Dr. King Pace and we’re still a couple short so we have some
room for other drivers of African -American heritage who might be s interested
in competing in this year,” noted Eric Warner, the tracks director of racing.
Anyone driver, with a full or provisional license,
interested in competing in this seasons Dr. King Pace is urged to
contact Warner in the racing office at 845-794-4100x557; or they can contact
the tracks publicity department at ext. 455.
It should be noted that, like post positions, drivers will
be assigned to their mounts via a lottery drawing. The entry box for the
upcoming Dr. King Pace closes at 9am on Thursday, January 17.
