Harness Racing Inductee, Dave Palone

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HALL OF FAME
2010 INDUCTEE DAVE PALONE

			In 1977, when Standardbred trainer Herman Hylkema allowed 15-year-old Dave Palone to jog one of his father’s horses at the Waynesburg (PA) Fairgrounds, the youngster was immediately, in his own words, “hooked.” By the time he had finished high school Palone had worked his way up to second trainer for Hylkema. He received his provisional license to drive in 1982 while employed at The Meadows, and two years later the patrons of the track voted him into its drivers’ championship series where he ended up the winner. During parts of 1985 and 1987-88, Palone tried his luck as a driver-trainer at the Meadowlands, watching and learning from
such luminaries as Hall of Famers John Campbell and Bill O’Donnell. Eventually, Palone concluded that he would be happier back home and returned to The Meadows to apply the driving skills he had learned. In 1989 Palone had his breakout year, visiting the winner’s circle 319 times. The following year he won 428 and became the first Meadows driver to top $1 million in purse earnings. In 1992 Palone came in first 615 times and began his ongoing streak of18 consecutive years in which he has won 500 or more races. In 1999, Palone won the biggest race at his home track of The Meadows when he guided Washington VC to victory in the Adios over eventual Triple Crown winner Blissfull Hall. For seven straight years (1996-2002) Palone won 600 or more races, including back-to-back seasons of 700 or more (1999-2000). It was during this two-year period that he won his first two national dash-win crowns. He added a third title in 2004 by winning 669 races. In November 2004 Palone became only the fourth driver in the history of North American harness racing to notch 10,000 career wins. The following year, he recorded his biggest win, capturing the Little Brown Jug with P-Forty-Seven. In the 2008 Breeders Crown for 3-year-old trotting colts, Palone guided In Focus to a stunning defeat of Deweycheatumnhowe, finishing the year with a career-best 885 victories. Having shared Harness Tracks of America’s Driver of the Year award in 2009 with Jody Jamieson, Palone is now the only driver in history to have won the award six times. His 13,492 wins place him third all-time in North America behind Herve Filion (15,179) and Cat Manzi (13,588). To date, Palone has earned over $81 million in purses, while garnering, since 1989, an ongoing streak of 21 Meadows’ consecutive dash titles. Dave Palone, now 48 years old, has no plans to retire; far from it, he is now contemplating a charge at becoming the winningest driver of all time. Stats as of 1/21/10 For information on The Harness Racing Museum's Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies, including ticketing and hotel information, click here or call the museum at 845.294.6330. Attendance at the event is open to the public and encouraged.