Meadows Monday memo

DERBY DAY SCHEDULE CHANGE

The Meadows will continue its Spring schedule this week, with harness racing Wednesday through Saturday.  Wednesday through Friday, post time will be 12:45.  However, on Saturday (Kentucky Derby Day), post will shift to 11:30am.  There will be plenty of Derby Day activities on-track, including the annual Hat Contest, sponsored by the Meadows Standardbred Owners Association.

17 FOR PALONE

Dave Palone, the perennial dashwinning driver at The Meadows, had one of the best two-day stretches of his career last week.  On Wednesday, Palone won five races in a row, part of a 9-win day.  24 hours later, he once again won five consecutive races, en route to 8 wins on the afternoon.

 STAKE ACTION GETS UNDERWAY

Saturday’s card will feature the first stake races of the 2025 season.  Three-year-old colt and gelding pacers will be in action in Pennsylvania Sire Stake and Stallion Series events.  The entry box will close on Wednesday morning with posts drawn Wednesday afternoon.

 THE NEXT GENERATION

The last name Burke has been associated with The Meadows for decades, from Mickey Sr., to sons Ron and Mickey Jr.  Tomorrow (April 29), another generation of the Burke family will put his name into the racing program.  Ron’s son Bradley, 23, is listed to make a pair of qualifying drives, behind pacers Robin’s Torch and Get Answers.

If you would like additional information at any point, please reach out to track announcer Jeff Zidek (jeff.zidek@pennentertainment.com).

by Jeff Zidek, for The Meadows