Cruse, who missed last year’s event gave Noble Sis a picture-perfect drive.

Sundance Erika, in rein to General “Bubba” Washington, Jr., took command in the first turn as Cruse settled his pacer in behind Washington’s and was content to wait patiently. As Sundance Erika took the field by the half mile marker in 1:01⁴ Cruse didn’t budge. Even heading to the three-quarter pole Cruse stayed put. But as the field rounded the final turn Cruse eased Noble Sis to the outside and paced by Washington’s pacer and braced for the challenge by Ellis and Sandy’s Kiss. And Noble Sis was up to that challenge as she kept Sandy’s Kiss at bay to score 2:05⁴ victory. Third place went to Spencer’s Princess, driven by George Newell, Jr., up from Yonkers Raceway for the competition.

Fourth place went to Dr. Bob Davison, in from Fort Washington, Maryland with Shatterproof Leggs while Washington’s mare faded to fifth. Sixth, and last, was Bobby “Boonie” Williams, Jr. with Classy Chassis.

“I really thought Bubba (General Washington, Jr.) was the one to beat so I tried to sit in behind him as long as I could,” Cruse said after the race. “I saw his horse getting a little leg-weary in the final turn so I thought I’d better move now. When I did my mare kept running in so I had to grab the right line. After I straightened her out Moonie (Richard Ellis, Jr.) was mounting a charge on the far outside. But with a little urging my mare withstood the challenge.”

Absent, due to a late scratch, was Cedric Washington, a two-time winner of the Dr. King Pace.

“Since our race’s inception there has been tremendous interest by those wishing to participate,” noted Eric Warner, Director of Racing. “It’s hard to accommodate all who would like to compete. We had inquiries from at least 15 aspirants but unfortunately we could only use eight. Hopefully in the future we’ll be able to have two races in honor of Dr. King to accommodate everyone.”