Palone nears 19,000; Meadows’ Super Hi-5 Monday jackpot more than $37K
November 17, 2019,Washington, PA — Dave Palone, harness racing’s “winningest” driver, is approaching another historic milestone as the race week begins at The Meadows.
With 18,997 career victories, he needs three wins to reach 19,000 — heady territory, indeed. By way of comparison, Russell Baze, the all-time wins leader in Thoroughbred racing, notched 12,842 victories. Palone is scheduled for nine drives on the 13-race card, which begins at 1:05 p.m.
Palone, 57, began driving in 1982 and has amassed a number of unique accomplishments. Among his career highlights:
• He was inducted into the Harness Hall of Fame on July 4, 2010.
• On July 5, 2012, he scored career win 15,181 to break Herve Filion’s longstanding North American record.
• On Nov. 14, 2014, he became the “winningest” driver on the planet when career victory 16,754 vaulted him past Germany’s Heinz Wewering.
• If he wraps up the 2019 driving title at The Meadows — he’s comfortably ahead — it will be his 30th consecutive season as the track’s top dog.
Along the way, Palone has earned more than $144 million in purses.
Meanwhile, Monday’s program also will provide plenty of excitement on the wagering front, as the jackpot in the final race Super Hi-5 has grown to $37,849.43. For the Super Hi-5, which is offered with every live card, the jackpot is paid only if there is a sole correct ticket.