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DSC Daily Sports Club
On Thursday, July 5th, thirty minutes south of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania a North American record was quietly tied and then a short time later broken, and with each passing day that record is being built upon and placed farther and farther out of reach for the next guy. The record I speak of is career driving victories, but not the driving you are thinking of.
In the 8th race at the Meadows Racetrack & Casino Dave Palone became the "Winningest Driver in North American Harness Racing History" claiming win 15,181. He won the record breaking race on 2 year old filly Herculotte Hanover, who was making her trotting debut, and what a debut it was. Few horses claim such an important win with their first victory.
Palone has been a fixture at the Meadows since he was young, recording his first career win there in 1983. He also recorded wins number 1000, 5000, 10,000 and 15,000 on the track at the Meadows. Some of his other accomplishments include winning the Delvin Miller Adios in 1999, claiming two Jugette victories (1999 & 2003), The Breeders Crown in 2008, and in 2010 he was inducted into the Harness Racing Hall of Fame.
On July 25, 2012 the Meadows Racetrack & Casino celebrated "Dave Palone Night" where Palone racked up five (5!!!) more wins. Palone is also preparing for the Meadows yearly Delvin Miller Adios coming up this Saturday, July 28th, where he has drawn post four and is racing another hometown favorite, Sweet Lou. With one hometown hero piloting another the odds have to look good!
Dave Palone continues to race in multiple races each night at the Meadows and promises to add many more wins to his total. His dedication to his sport, his home track, and his family have given him the ability to claim this record with a quiet sense of pride and determination. In these days of athletes holding out and demanding where they play and for how much money, this story is both refreshing and inspiring. If ever you find yourself in the Pittsburgh area without something to do, make the thirty minute drive and take a chance that you will get to see this legend race to another victory at the Meadows.
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