Local harness racing driver breaks world record at Meadows...

WASHINGTON, Pa. — Already North America's "winningest" harness racing driver, Dave Palone broke the world record Friday at The Meadows Racetrack & Casino when he notched career win 16,754 to surpass the mark of 16,753 held by Germany's Heinz Wewering. The record-breaker came with Missy Tap Tina in the 15th and final race of the day.

In the winners' circle presentation, an emotional Palone said he felt his father—Marion "Butch" Palone, who died Nov. 4—"was with me around the final turn."

He also accepted videotaped congratulations from Wewering, who joked that he hoped Palone wouldn't roll up too many wins so that Wewering might have the opportunity to catch him. Although Wewering drives a limited schedule these days, he will have a chance to reclaim the lead, however briefly, as he has seven drives scheduled Sunday in Berlin while Palone is idle until Monday.

Palone expressed relief at achieving the record and noted that he might not "push myself so hard" now that the chase is over.

"It's been a long grind, 30 years worth of racing," he said a few days before the record-breaker. "I can't say it hasn't been on my mind. It doesn't get any easier as you get older, competing against these younger guys. I've had this in my sights since we broke Herve's record."

Palone, 52, is a native of Waynesburg and a resident of Washington, Pa.