by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway

Monticello, NY — Bobby “Boonie” Williams pulled a stunning upset when he stalked the odds-on favorite with Mt Vernon Hanover and then rallied his pacer down the center of the track to win the 12th edition of Monticello Raceway’s Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Pace on Tuesday (Jan. 17) in a time of 2:01.2.

For Williams, who has competed in all of the Dr. King Paces, it marked his first victory in the event.

Bobby Williams rallied Mt Vernon Hanover to victory in the final strides.

With favored CC Make A Buck on the front end, driver Cedric Washington seemed to be having things his own way with a slow first quarter (:30.3) in the making until Jonathan Oney moved Fifth Street out from fourth position to challenge for the lead. Once alongside the leader the pace then quickened and the next quarter was paced in :29.4.

Up the backside both CC Make A Buck and Fifth Street raced head-to-head past the third stanza (1:31) and into the final turn at which point Williams, who was traveling along in fourth position, found racing room and moved to the outside where the harder ground was on the rain-soaked racetrack.

Once they straightened in the lane and headed for home Williams began to urge Mt Vernon Hanover and the pacer got up in the final strides to defeat CC Make A Buck by a neck while Fifth Street hung on for third money.

Upon his return to the winner’s circle Williams had a smile a mile long.

Geri Schwarz photos

Crystal Vilela, MC&R marketing coordinator, presented the trophy to Bobby Williams.

“I’m a happy man and I’m especially honored to have won the race named for the great Dr. King,” he said. “Seems like it was a long time coming, and it was, but now after winning it, I feel real good.”

Mt Vernon Hanover is owned by Ruth Ingram of Bloomsburg, Pa., and is trained by Vernon James. He paid $11.80 for win.

JD Lewis finished fourth with Rawhide N; Dennis Watson was fifth with Come On Honey; Big Native finished sixth for General Washington; seventh place went to Bold N Brazen with George Newell, Jr. aboard; and Paul Moore brought up the rear with Catherine’s Colt after making a break at the start.

The race was the first of the Mighty M’s 2012 Heritage Drivers Series. Later events throughout the season will be for other ethnicities.