by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway

Monticello, NY — There’s a saying that the decision of the judges is final and it took the judges to determine the winner of Monticello Raceway’s 14th annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Pace on Tuesday (Jan. 21).

A racing infraction was the subject of the study and the judges used the powers vested in them to determine that the driver (Dennis Watson) of the first horse under the wire, Lakers Vett, had gone inside a few pylons on the final turn which caused the disqualification.

Geri Schwarz photo

Paul Moore and Eusebio returned to the winner’s circle after capturing the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Pace.

After a long review Eusebio, driven by Paul Moore, was declared the official winner. JD’s ATM, with George Newell, was moved up to second and Shando Hanover, driven by Jim King Solomon, took home the show dough. Lakers Vett was placed out of the money.

Still, it was quite an exciting horse race.

As the wings of the gate folded five horses went out together. When the field rounded that turn and headed for the quarter pole Paul Moore and Eusebio had command and the pylon position with Best Of Time (James O’Farrow) on the limb and Scare Tactics N (Bobby Williams, Jr.) three deep.

When they passed the first stanza Williams moved behind O’Farrow, but both were parked out as the timer flashed :29.4. The parked horses were still trying to take the lead away from Eusebio but Moore would have none of that.

Up the backside horses were moving from everywhere and Cedric Washington sent Four Star Tommy three-deep. As he was doing that, Watson sneaked Lakers Vett inside of Moore’s pacer after the third stanza but with horses side by side and the field tight on the final turn Watson got pushed inside the pylons which cost him the infraction.

Lakers Vett finished strong and crossed the line in a time of 2:05.3, but to no avail. Eusebio, was beaten a head a the wire but came away with first money.

When Moore returned to the winner’s circle with Eusebio he told the gathering there, “I was surprised that he (Watson) tried to pass me on the inside. I didn’t think he had room but he just sent his horse through and on the final turn racing was tight.”

Eusebio is owned by Wendy Petrelli of Montgomery, N.Y. and is trained by Basil Aldrich. The veteran 12-year-old gelding was sent away as the 9-5 favorite in the race and paid $5.60 for win.