Sample blazes to MLK victory at Freehold

Deshawn Sample, driving CJ Blaze, won the seventh race on Monday in the inaugural Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Pace at Freehold Raceway. The field of seven featured the talents of African-American drivers.

Callie's Candyman ($4.40), with Jim King Solomon, was leading from the start, but tired in the stretch and was passed by CJ Blaze ($9) and second-place finisher Mo Mo Munny, driven by Don Simmonds.

"I was approached by Jim King Solomon regarding putting together this race, and I just thought it would be nice to pay tribute to the memory of the great civil rights leader, Dr. Martin Luther King," said Freehold racing secretary Karen Fagliarone. "I know in the past other tracks have held this race, however, this is a first for us at Freehold."

The event drew drivers from New Jersey, Delaware and New York.

The participating drivers were Cedric M. Washington, 47, of Monticello, N.Y.; General Washington Jr., 69, of Mongaup Valley, N.Y.; Solomon, 46, of Bayville, N.J.; Simmonds, 41, of Clinton, N.Y.; Sample, 30, of Greenwood, Del.; Orlando Greene, 42, of Seaford, Del.; and Dennis Watson, 59, of Lakewood, N.J.

Best Life, scheduled to be driven by George Polk Jr,. 33, of Dover, Del., was scratched. (Freehold)

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