by Adam Packard, for the Meadows

Meadow Lands, PA — Bethann Palone, daughter of Bill Zendt, gave birth to her first daughter this morning — Alana Marie — with husband Dave Palone by her side.

Bethann, 28, gave birth to Alana Marie at 4:03 a.m. Thursday morning at Magee-Womens Hospital in Pittsburgh. She weighs 3 lbs 8 oz and has brown hair.

Bethann wasn’t due until Valentine’s Day (February 14), but went into labor on Tuesday (December 19). Bethann’s mother, Patty, said Bethann and the baby are both doing great. She mentioned that Dave was doing okay too, after pacing the entire night, which he usually makes the horses do. Patty also said that Dave did an excellent job in helping Bethann and actually got to cut the umbilical cord. “It was very exciting, she (Bethann) is a trooper,” Dave mentioned from the hospital.

After meeting her parents, Alana Marie was placed in an incubator since she is so small. She was breathing on her own before being place on the breathing machine.

“It’s looking good, she’s strong and we’re hoping to get her off the breathing tube tomorrow,” said Bethann. In the meantime, Alana Marie will remain in the Intensive Care Unit.

Palone will be off all of his drives for tonight’s races, but expects to be back in the sulky on Friday.