Officials with the Meadows have announced that in addition to conducting the post position draw for the $650,000 Delvin Miller Adios, the track has designated this Wednesday, July 25 as ‘Dave Palone Night’ at the track.
The post draw for Saturday’s Adios will take place at 6:30 p.m. and will be aired on Meadows Live. The draw will take place on the track apron at, but will be moved indoors to the race book in the case of foul weather.
The draw is open, that is, no post positions are reserved for Adios elimination winners Sweet Lou and Bettors Edge. Their posts will be selected randomly along with those of the other six qualifiers --- Rocknroll Dance, Thinking Out Loud, Hurrikane Kingcole, Bolt The Duer, Breakin The Law and Allstar Legend. It’s one of the most powerful fields ever assembled in the 46-year history of ‘The Pace for the Orchids.’
First post Saturday is 12:20 p.m.
The draw is just one part of a festive Wednesday that the Meadows and the Meadows Standardbred Owners Association (MSOA) have designated ‘Dave Palone Night’ to honour Palone for becoming the ‘winningest’ driver in North American harness racing history. He got the record-breaker, career win 15,181, July 5 at the Meadows, his home track.
“No one could say exactly when Dave would get the record, which made it difficult to plan a proper celebration in advance,” said Mike Jeannot, president of Meadows Racing. “Now, as we enjoy the excitement of Adios Week, we invite all our fans to join us as we recognize Dave’s amazing accomplishment.”
The celebration includes:
- An autograph session with Palone in the race book from 5:30 p.m. to 6:25 p.m.;
- Free Dave Palone hats provided by MSOA. After every race he wins that evening through the eighth race, Palone will throw hats into the crowd at the winner’s circle. The Meadows and MSOA personnel will distribute any remaining hats to fans.
- Complimentary Palone 15,181 commemorative journals for fans (while supplies last). The handsome, full-colour keepsake was prepared by the United States Harness Writers Association --- Keystone Chapter and includes a number of articles and statistical reviews of Palone’s career, as well as congratulatory ads from many of the sport’s most prominent people and organizations.
- Proclamation of ‘Dave Palone Night’ by PA Sen. Tim Solobay, whose district includes the Meadows.
- A special video tribute on Meadows Live at 6:45 p.m. that includes rare footage of Palone’s early career and teenage years.
Wednesday’s card, which features the $80,000 (est.) Henry Oliver for two-year-old colt and gelding trotters, gets underway at 6:55 p.m. Grand Circuit action at the Meadows continues through Saturday.
(Meadows)