Driver Dave Palone, breeder Hal Jones join the Harness Racing Hall of Fame

Harness Hall of Fame welcomes new members

GOSHEN, N.Y. — Six-time Driver of the Year Dave Palone and breeder Hal Jones have been inducted into the Harness Racing Hall of Fame in Goshen, N.Y.

Also inducted Sunday were three horses: Italian trotting champion Varenne, 2001 Horse of the Year Bunny Lake and the late pacing mare Three Diamonds.

Palone is the third-winningest driver in North American harness racing history. He has been the leading driver at The Meadows, near Pittsburgh, for more than two decades. He began the year having won at least 532 races in 18 consecutive seasons.

Jones pioneered the practice of artificial insemination at standardbred farms. He’s also the breeder of 2008 Hambletonian winner Deweycheatumnhowe, who was bred and raised at Jones’ Cameo Hill Farm in Montgomery, N.Y.