Apr 8, 2013 2 min read

Hall of Fame harness racing driver Dave Palone escaped serious injury Monday afternoon in a wreck at The Meadows that saw him flipped from the sulky and bounced along the track.

The accident occurred in the 10th race when Palone’s horse, North Bay Hanover, locked wheels with another horse near the finish line. Palone maintained his grip on the lines when he was ejected from the sulky, so that when North Bay Hanover did not pull up immediately. Palone bounced on the racing surface behind the horse.

Palone knelt briefly on the track but eventually walked off under his own power and declined a trip to a local hospital.

Bethann Palone said her husband suffered bruises on his right arm, shoulder and lower back.

“He’s pretty stiff and sore,” she said. “The paramedics told him he passed out for a short period, but he said he was aware of everything that was going on and wanted to go home. He drove his car home, with me following him.”

Palone, a Rices Landing native who last year became the all-time winningest driver in North America, called off his last two Monday assignments. His wife said he probably wouldn’t determine until tomorrow morning if he’s able to drive during Tuesday’s card that begins at 12:55 p.m.