Nov 11, 2014 5 min read

Ever since the last milestone, the numbers quickly fell from the win column as the countdown continued.

But not quite quick enough for Dave Palone.

Palone, who grew up in Dry Tavern, is closing in on the world record for harness racing victories. He is just eight shy of passing the mark of 16,753 by Heinz Wewering and should accomplish it this week at the Meadows racetrack in Meadow Lands.

When it happens, it will be a bittersweet time because of who will not be on hand to celebrate the great accomplishment. Palone’s father, Butch, who got Palone invested in harness racing, died nine days ago. The Dry Tavern resident who owned Butch Palone’s Auto Sales Inc., for more than 50 years, was 77 years old.

“My dad was everything to me,” the 52-year-old Palone said. “I would have never been involved in horses had it not been for him dragging me here when I was 10 or 11 years old and sitting in the box with him. I remember my first Adios. He was responsible for getting me started in the business. With a friend of his, they got me my first horses and took a shot with me. I learned on their quarter. I owe everything to my dad. I was his biggest fan.”

Two years ago, Palone drove Herculotte Hanover, a 2-year-old filly who never competed in a pari-mutuel race before, to the winner’s circle at The Meadows for victory No. 15,181. That broke the North America record held by Herve Fillion of Canada.

Sites were then set on the world record held by the 64-year-old Wewering, who competes mainly in Germany.

“It’s been a long grind, 30 years of racing,” Palone said. “I can’t say it hasn’t been on my mind. It doesn’t get easier when you get older and are competing with these younger guys. But yeah, I’ve been thinking about it since we broke Herve’s record.”

And it’s one mark that seems sure to stand.

“I don’t think that record will ever be broken again,” said Roger Huston, track announcer at The Meadows. “When you look at the drivers today, they don’t drive as many years as Dave has been driving. It’s tougher today because there is less racing than the past. He has put in his time.”

Palone met Wewering only once and has not had any contact with him as he closed in on the record because an ocean and different language separate the two.

“I believe the USTA is going to put us together (after the record is broken),” Palone said. “I was in Sweden and raced in a drivers’ competition and Heinz represented Germany. I was pretty much an unknown representing the United States 10 years ago. I don’t remember much about it other than his (victory) number looked insurmountable to me. That we’re standing here today talking about it is pretty amazing.”

So what would he tell Wewering given the opportunity?

“I would shake his hand and tell him what an awesome driver and trainer he is, probably the world’s greatest,” Palone said. “His work ethic is unimaginable. My day starts when I race horses. His day starts with training 300 to 400 horses at 4 in the morning. When he gets done training, he gets into the sulky and would drive all day. I commend him for what he’s done.”

Palone’s résumé is impressive. He began his racing career in December 1982, two months before his 21st birthday. The highlights include driving Reds Folly to his first victory in January 1983, and Cagey William to win No. 1,000 in 1990, and Washington VC to victory on his home track in the 1999 Adios, and P-Forty Seven to the line first for the Little Brown Jug victory in 2005.

“All the Breeders Crown wins were special, and winning the Adios here was special,” Palone said. “Probably the biggest win was the Little Brown Jug in Delaware (Ohio), one of our triple crown races and probably biggest for me.”

Palone has had his share of accidents, the worst coming in April of 2007, when he broke his leg and missed seven weeks of racing. The doctors thought he would not return until the following racing season.

“As (the record) gets closer, it gets tougher. The press is following it. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve answered the question: When’s it going to (happen). Oh, if the horses could talk. I’m really trying to enjoy this. It was tough banging out the North American record, so I just want to enjoy the moment.”

Palone wants to continue to race for as long as he can be relevant in the sport. He is a devoted family man who is proud he was able to remain at his home track so his wife, Bethann, and their children could be a part of it.

“It will be so special,” he said. “My family is very close … and I’m still not sure who my parents would root for when my brother Michael and I raced against one another. I know that my dad was extra happy when Michael and I would team up to win. Every one of these trainers in the paddock – I’ve driven for just about every one of them – have been a part of it. I owe them all. A special thanks goes to the Burke (family). They have been extremely loyal to me in the past. Anyone who races horses for them knows what a privilege it is.”

Palone realizes the time will come when he might cut back on the number of races he competes but he doesn’t see himself leaving the sport anytime soon.

“What else am I going to do? I love the horses, love the people. I might back it off … but as far shutting it down, no (because) it keeps me going.”