Dave Palone, harness racing’s ‘winningest’ driver, is approaching another historic milestone as the Meadows’ race week is set to begin.

With 18,997 career victories, Palone needs three wins to reach 19,000 — heady territory, indeed. By way of comparison, Russell Baze, the all-time wins leader in Thoroughbred racing, notched 12,842 victories. Palone is scheduled to be in the race bike multiple times during the Meadows’ 13-race Monday card, which will get underway at 1:05 p.m.

Dave Palone, pictured following his 16,754th career driving victory.

Palone, 57, began driving in 1982 and has amassed a number of unique accomplishments. Some of his career highlights are listed below.

• He was inducted into the Harness Hall of Fame on July 4, 2010.

• On July 5, 2012, he scored career win 15,181 to break Herve Filion’s longstanding North American record.

• On Nov. 14, 2014, he became the ‘winningest’ driver on the planet when career victory 16,754 vaulted him past Germany’s Heinz Wewering.

• If he wraps up the 2019 driving title at the Meadows — he’s comfortably ahead — it will be his 30thconsecutive season as the track’s top dog.

Along the way, Palone has steered his drives to more than $144 million in purses.

Meanwhile, Monday’s program also will provide plenty of excitement on the wagering front, as the jackpot in the final-race Super Hi-5 has grown to $37,849.43. For the Super Hi-5, which is offered with every live card, the jackpot is paid only if there is a sole correct ticket.

(MSOA)