Dave Palone injured

Top reinsman Dave Palone suffered multiple fractures of the upper right femur, more commonly known as the thighbone, when he was thrown from his sulky while driving in the last race at The Meadows Tuesday night. Palone, 45, was taken directly to Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh.

Palone's wife, Bethann, who spent the night with him at Allegheny General Hospital, said doctors will perform surgery tomorrow to insert a rod and pins. She said they currently believe they can accomplish everything they need to in a single surgery.

She said the injured leg won't be able to bear weight for six weeks, a period that will be followed by further rehabilitation.

While the length of that rehab cannot be estimated yet, it may be shorter for Palone than for most, thanks to his excellent physical condition and the help of his wife, an occupational therapist by profession. “As soon as he's medically stable, I want to bring him home and help him,” she said.

Palone was driving Be Dreamin when Hannington, a horse driven by Greg Wright Jr., fell to the ground just before the field entered the home straightaway. One of Hannington's hooves came in contact with the sulky of Don Rothfuss Jr., driving Forever Friendly, and Hannington fell down.

Palone couldn't avoid the fallen horse. Be Dreamin and Palone went over Wright and then veered left. Palone was thrown from the sulky, according to Meadows announcer Roger Huston.

"Dave immediately knew he had broken bones, but he was conscious," added Huston.

Wright and the two horses involved in the accident, Be Dreamin and Hannington, all escaped without injury. Rothfuss continued on with Forever Friendly and finished the race. (with files from The Meadows)

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