by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway

Monticello, NY — Since 2001 Monticello Raceway has been paying tribute to the memory of the great civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by presenting a race exclusively for drivers of African-American descent.

The eighth edition of the event will go to post on January 15, the actual birthdate of Dr. King, with eight talented drivers set to battle in the event which is slated as race number eight on that afternoon.

Monticello photo

Cedric Washington is a two-time winner in the Dr. King Pace.

Featured in that contest is Cedric Washington, a two-time winner in the Dr. King Pace, who is among the African-American drivers with the most victories in the sport. A longtime regular at Monticello Raceway, Washington’s 1,731 driving victories places him third all-time behind Randy Tharps’ 4,175 wins and Lew Williams’ 2,023.

On Thursday, Washington has a good chance to add to his win total when he guides Artristocracy from post position four in the Dr. King Pace. A seven-time winner last year the Christine Spano-owned pacer owns a lifetime mark of 1:58.1 taken at the Mighty M last season.

However, don’t put a circle around Artristocracy and Cedric Washington yet as there are seven others in the contest that have to be reckoned with.

Former Dr. King Pace winners with mounts this year include Don Simmonds, General “Bubba” Washington, Jr. (Cedric’s dad) and last year’s champ, Dennis Watson.

Simmonds, who comes in from Vernon Downs, will handle Evan Katz and Billy Parker, Jr.’s Bing N and start from the three hole. The pacer, a 1:57.1 winner last season, sports a 2:02.4 victory two starts ago on December 26.

Cedric’s dad, Bubba Washington, has Megan Gilmour’s Famous Last Words, a 1:56.1 winner last year who is a winner of two of his last three starts. Unfortunately for Bubba, he’ll have to start from the eight hole.

Moreover, the track odds-maker John Flynn gives the morning line favorite’s role to Black Jack Magic, who’ll race away from the pole position. Owned by the female blacksmith, Elisha Lafreniere, the pacer comes into the event off a 2:01.4 victory in his last start and is a winner of three of his last four races. Jim King Solomon, in from Freehold Raceway, will be in the pilot’s seat.

Rounding out the field for the eighth annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Pace are George Polk, Jr., in from Delaware with Mike Doherty’s Half Life; last year’s champ, Dennis Watson, in from Freehold Raceway to drive Steve Moore and Ben Versaci’s Tycoon Ernesto N; George Newell, Jr., up from Yonkers Raceway with Bruce Aldrich’s Half Life; and local driver Bobby “Boonie” Williams, who’ll sit behind John Stubits’ Flying After Midnite.

As usual, the drivers were assigned to their horses by a lottery drawing after post positions were determined. Post time for the 13-race card on Thursday, January 15, is at 12:40 p.m.