Dave Palone, the winningest driver in North American harness racing history, padded his total considerably Monday at The Meadows when he won eight races — including the feature — on the 15-race card.
Palone collected a pair of victories for his brother, trainer Mike Palone, and three for trainer Ron Burke. He also earned one place finish and two thirds in his 14 assignments.
While a great day for Palone, it wasn’t his biggest. That occurred April 21, 2008 at The Meadows when he piloted 11 winners. That’s the record for most wins on a single program, a mark Palone shares with Bruce Ranger, Roger Hammer, J.D. Perrin and George Napolitano, Jr.
In the feature, an $18,000 Filly & Mare Preferred Handicap Pace, Continual Velocity was used hard twice in the mile but still was the strongest in the lane as she scored in a swift 1:50.3, a tick off the track record for older pacing mares.
Continual Velocity left from Post 7 and found a spot fourth at the pylons but soon was out again first over. The six-year-old daughter of Real Artist-Extreme Velocity wore down the leader, Certified Ideal, and held off Do Me Honor in the Lightning Lane by 1-1/4 lengths. Certified Ideal saved show.
Burke conditions Continual Velocity, who boosted her career bankroll to $481,016. She is owned by Burke Racing Stable LLC and Weaver Bruscemi LLC.
(The Meadows)