When Monticello Raceway presents its 14th Annual
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Pace, a race which features the talents of
African-American drivers, last year’s champ, Dennis Watson, will be back to
defend his title.
This year’s MLK Pace will be presented on Tuesday afternoon,
January 21 and it will not only be Monticello Raceway’s annual tribute to the
great civil rights leader, but the race will be the first leg of the tracks
2014 Heritage Drivers Series.
Last year on the cold (12-degree) and windy afternoon of
January 22 Watson scored a decisive 2:04.2 victory with Ally’s Delight after a
second over trip stalking the favorite and then rallying to his second victory
in the race that honors the great civil rights leader.
Watson’s initial triumph in the event was back in 208 when
he reined BJ’s Jetstream to a 2:00 victory which still is the fastest of all
the previous 13 Dr. King Paces.
However, when the horses line-up behind the mobile starting
gate this year Watson 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 Bobby “Boonie” Williams, Jr., the winner of the 2012 event.
Others who have expressed interest in competing in this
year’s Dr. King Pace included Julian Williams, Allan Johnson and James
O’Farrow.
“However, we will still need eight (drivers) to have a full
field and we’re still a few short so we have some room for some other drivers
of African -American heritage who might want to be in the race this year,” said
Eric Warner, the tracks director of racing.
Any driver of African American heritage , 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.
