What do you do if you’re Dave Palone, North American harness racing’s all-time winningest driver, and you find yourself working on 'Dave Palone Night?' You keep winning. That’s what Palone did Wednesday at The Meadows Racetrack & Casino when he drove five winners, including two stakes splits, on the 15-race “Dave Palone Night” card.
Palone got career victory 15,181 on July 5 at his home track, passing Herve Filion on the career win list. Because no one could predict when or where the record drive would occur, The Meadows deferred its celebration until Wednesday.
As part of the festivities, fans received free Palone 15,181 keepsake journals produced by the United States Harness Writers Association – Keystone Chapter as well as Dave Palone hats. From Pennsylvania Sen. Tim Solobay, whose district includes The Meadows, Palone received congratulatory proclamations from PA Gov. Tom Corbett and the PA Senate. Palone also spent time autographing hats and journals for fans.
“It was great to meet people who’ve been following my career for 30 years,” Palone said. “Some of them said they lost money betting me. Maybe I can do something about that Saturday.”
He was referring, of course, to Saturday’s $500,000 final of the Delvin Miller Adios, when Palone will pilot the hometown favourite, Sweet Lou. In Wednesday’s open draw for the final, Sweet Lou drew post four, much to Palone’s delight.
“How great is it when you draw the post position you would have picked if you’d had your choice?” Palone said.
When you’re Dave Palone on “Dave Palone Night,” those kinds of things happen.
(The Meadows / Chris Gooden Photo)