George Polk, Jr. has drawn the favourite in Monticello Raceway’s 10th annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Pace, which showcases the talents of African-American drivers. The race is slated to go to post on Monday, January 18, the day the United States will honour the memory of the great civil rights leader.
Anna Sage, an eight-year-old daughter of D M Dillinger, has been tabbed at odds of 5-2 on the early line despite having drawn Post 7. She has won over $105,000 in her career and comes into the Dr. King Pace with three wins in her last four outings at Monticello -- the fastest in 2:00.
Second choice, Windy City Paige from Post 2, won nine times during 2009 -- the fastest a 1:54:2 clocking at Pompano Park. She finished second in 2:00 during her last Monticello start, and James O’Farrow has drawn the drive behind the five-year-old Cole Muffler mare.
Last year’s winner of the Dr. King Pace, Jim King Solomon, will not participate this year due to complications resulting from an automobile accident last year, but previous winners General 'Bubba' Washington and Don Simmonds have mounts in the event. Two-time event winner Cedric Washington isn’t available to drive on Monday.
Career horseman 'Bubba' Washington will start from the coveted pole position with Deadlysatifaction, an eight-time winner in 2009 -- the fastest a 1:56:1 clocking at Scarborough Downs. Simmonds drew longshot Deco and will start from Post 5.
Dennis Watson, who has been the conditioner of $206,000 winner Jaguar Jet and who finished second and third in recent Dr. King Paces, gets the mount behind Roll The Di, a 1:57:1 winner at Saratoga Raceway last year. Rated 4-1 on the early line, the pacer, who had a third-place finish in his first seasonal start this year, will leave from Post 6.
This is the field for the 'Mighty M’s Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Pace from the rail out (with drivers and morning line odds):
Deadlysatisfaction - G. 'Bubba' Washington, Jr. - 6-1
Windy City Paige - James O’Farrow - 3-1
Cannae Sandra - Orlando Green - 5-1
Noreen - Bobby 'Boonie' Williams, Jr. - 7-2
Deco - Don Simmonds - 12-1
Roll The Di - Dennis Watson - 4-1
Anna Sage - George Polk, Jr. - 5-2
Role Reversal - George Newell, Jr. - 10-1
(With files from Monticello)