by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway

Monticello, NY — Monticello Raceway will celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Monday, Jan. 18, and on that date the Sullivan County oval will present its 10th annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Pace, a race which features the talents of African-American drivers.

Initially reticent to showcase this event the results have been a win-win situation, not only for the raceway, but for the African-American community.

“It is once again our pleasure to honor the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.,” said Eric Warner, the Raceway’s Director of Racing. “Last year we had a very competitive event and the competition was enjoyed by all who participated.”

That day, with the temperature hovering around 10 degrees and snowflakes falling, Jim King Solomon reined Blackjack Magic to a 2:00.4 victory in the ninth edition of the event.

Cedric Washington, a two-time Dr. King Pace winner, his father, General (Bubba) Washington, Jr., also a previous Dr. King Pace winner, and Bobby “Boonie” Williams, Jr. are currently the only African-American drivers competing at the Mighty M and in order to present the race Warner will need eight to have a full field for betting purposes.

“Last year’s winner, Jim King Solomon, recently called to say he’ll be unable to defend his crown because he is recuperating from injuries he sustained in an automobile accident. But maybe Donald Simmonds, who won this race two years ago, Dennis Watson, George Newell and George Polk, Jr., who were all in our race last season, might want to return to drive again in our event,” Warner added.

Any African-American driver interested in competing in this year’s Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Pace is urged to contact Warner in the race office at Monticello Raceway by calling 845-794-4100, ext. 557. Or they can call the track’s publicity office at ext. 455.

Bob’s Alibi rallies to win weekly pacing feature

Bob’s Alibi was moved three-deep on the final turn and rallied to win the $7,700 weekly pacing feature in 1:58.3 at Monticello Raceway on Tuesday afternoon, December 29. Newcomer Jamie Dunlap reined the winner for trainer Peter Stratton.

The temperature that day was hovering around 10 degrees and the winds produced chill factors of minus 20 degrees and according to the meet’s leading driver Zeke Parker, who was also in the race,”it was one of the toughest days to be on the racetrack in recent history” but he added “that comes with racing in the north during the wintertime.”

With the stalwarts of this division, Southbound Trucker and Keystone Rideau, on the sidelines the door was opened for a host of visiting pacers to gain the lion’s share of the purse.

Bob’s Alibi, a hard-hitting 5-year-old altered son of His Alibi in from Yonkers Raceway, had drawn the pole position and driver Jamie Dunlap took advantage of his location and gave his pacer a perfect two-hole journey behind pacesetter D M Sundance (Zeke Parker) until the final turn. But racing circumstances made Dunlap move off the pylons and wheel his pacer three wide as they rounded that bend but Bob’s Alibi proved to be the best as he wore down the leader and held off all challengers to be victorious.

At the wire Bob’s Alibi was a head winner over Jake Of Diamonds, another Yonkers Raceway import driven by Bruce Aldrich, Jr. D M Sundance, also up from the Hilltop oval, held on for the show dough.

Dunlap, who has been among the most preferred catch-drivers since coming here in late November, notched his 18th driving victory and was quick to praise the talents of his charge.

“This was the first time I sat behind him (Bob’s Alibi) but he is a nice animal and has shown he has a lot of pace,” Dunlap related and then continued to explain why he had to move his pacer three-wide on the final turn after being on the pylons most of the mile.

“We were really in a good spot but on the final turn Billy’s horse (DM Sundance) began to tire and Eckstrom (Jimmy Marohn) was in high gear two-deep so I thought I’d follow him (around the turn). But when Eckstrom got eye-to-eye with DM Sundance he sulked and wouldn’t go by and I had no other choice than to move out from behind around him.”

That move proved to be the winning one for Dunlap as four horses rushed to the finish line with Bob’s Alibi getting the final call over Jake Of Diamonds who used the passing lane in the homestretch.

Owned by Michael D’Abbraccio, Bob’s Alibi raised his seasonal earnings to nearly $60,000 and scored his fourth triumph of the year. He paid $12.80 for win.

Dunlap also won the 12th race with another Stratton-trained/D’Abbraccio-owned pacer, Behind Enemy Lines, in 2:00.1. It was the pacer’s 15th victory of the season.