Polk wins Monticello’s Dr. Martin Luther King Pace

by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway

Monticello, NY — Unusually warm weather in the southern Catskill Mountains of New York on Monday afternoon, Jan. 18, nearly jeopardized the entire race card at Monticello Raceway which included the track’s yearly tribute to the memory of the great civil rights leader, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

The warm weather caused wet spots and a discolored racing surface but after the track crew finished scraping the racetrack the afternoon card was a go.

George Polk, Jr. scored his first victory in the Martin Luther King Pace with Anna Sage in 2:03.

And nobody was more thrilled that the race card wasn’t cancelled than George Polk, Jr., who reined Anna Sage to a 2:03 victory in the 10th annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Pace, an event which featured the talents of African-American drivers.

Figuring that he had the best horse on paper, Polk sent Anna Sage to the lead from post position seven and they gained command on the first turn and led the field by the quarter in a soft :30.3. Unchallenged at the half in a 1:03 clocking made those who wagered on Anna Sage fairly confident at that point.

But trouble loomed after Orlando Green moved Cannae Sandra out to challenge and they charged at the leader as the field rounded the clubhouse turn for the second time. Green’s pacer ranged alongside Anna Sage and as they passed the third stanza in 1:33. At that point Dennis Watson, with Roll The Di, rallied three-wide and when the trio of pacers rounded the final turn they were heads apart.

As the field straightened for home Polk urged his mare and Anna Sage opened up daylight on her challengers and cruised home an easy 2-1/2 length winner over Roll The Di. Third place went to Role Reversal and driver George Newell, Jr. who enjoyed a covered two-hole trip the entire way. Deadlysatisfaction (General Washington) was fourth and Cannae Sandra faded to finish fifth.

When a happy George Polk, Jr. was greeted in the winner’s circle by Anna Sage’s owners he was presented a trophy and the mare received a blanket.

Geri Schwarz photos

Crystal Vilela, Monticello Casino & Raceway marketing secretary, presented the trophy to winning driver George Polk, Jr.

“I’ve raced in the last four of Monticello Raceway’s Dr. King Paces and finished third two years ago but today I finally broke my maiden (in the event). Man, I’m thrilled,” Polk said.

Asked if he thought he was a winner when the field passed the three-quarter pole Polk answered, “I was a little worried at that point especially when Orlando (Green with Cannae Sandra) and Dennis (Watson with Roll The Di) made a charge at us. But when we headed for home and I asked my mare for more she responded and at that point I felt confident we were gonna (sic) win it.”

Polk wasn’t the only happy person when he returned to the winner’s circle. Co-owner Anthony Mazzeo had a big smile on his face as he had his picture taken and said to his partners, “Polk drove her like a champ.”

It was Anna Sage’s fourth win in her last five starts and first triumph of the 2010 season. Owned by Anthony Mazzeo, James Tumia and Peter Basta, she paid $8.10 for win. The 7-6-8 trifecta returned $2,025.00.

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