Hall of Famer Dave Palone and Mike Wilder were injured in a five-horse mishap in Monday’s tenth race at The Meadows Racetrack & Casino.
Bill Zendt, Palone’s father-in-law, said Palone was transported to Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh and admitted for possible neck and shoulder injuries. Palone became the “winningest” driver in harness racing history in July.
According to Heather Wilder, her husband was treated and released at a local hospital.
“We got off really easy,” she said, “just a sprained wrist and some bruised ribs.” She said he hasn’t ruled out driving Tuesday.
The accident was triggered when Wilder’s horse, Whirl Monroe, appeared to jump a shadow around the final turn and went down, launching a chain reaction that toppled Intrigued Royally and Palone. Drivers Brett Miller, Todd Cummings and Mike Dowdall also were affected but did not require medical attention. None of the five horses involved appeared seriously injured.
(The Meadows)