by Adam Packard, for the Meadows

Meadow Lands, PA –– Western Millennium, an $8,000 yearling purchase in 1998, won a $12,500 Preferred Pace on Saturday night (March 19) at The Meadows in 1:52.2 with Dave Palone driving. The win pushed his career earnings to $492,719 for owners Gail Nigro, Jacob Ramsburg, and Troy McDougal.

Saddled with post position five in the field of eight, Palone decided to duck the eight-year-old in the six spot around the first turn. The move proved to be the right one as Spastic and Coastal Wind dueled neck and neck to the first half-mile in :56.

Le Blitz and Richard Stillings made a power move past the half-mile marker and took the lead at the three-quarter pole in 1:23.2. Palone followed with Western Millennium and closed his final quarter in :28.3 to edge Le Blitz by three-quarters of a length in 1:52.2. Cambest Prince, a winner of six races in 2005, came from off the pace too, but could only manage a third place finish for Ray Paver.

Palone and Western Millennium have been near flawless together in the past three racing seasons. In the 32 starts in which Palone has driven Western Millennium, the son of Western Hanover has won 11, finished second 14 times, and finished third four times. That’s a 91% rating of finishing on the board when Palone has driven Western Millennium.

Palone had a huge night, reaching the winner’s circle on six separate occasions. Tony Hall added three winning drives and Mike Wilder had a driving double. These three drivers swept the 11 race program.