Dave Palone continues reign

For more than 30 seasons, Dave Palone has been the top driver at The Meadows, and that trend continued in 2025. Despite a strong challenge throughout the year from Ronnie Wrenn Jr., Palone finished atop three of the four major driving categories – wins, winning percentage, and Universal Driver Rating. Palone recorded 415 wins, with Wrenn second at 341, followed by Aaron Merriman at 300. Jeremy Indof (153) and Mike Wilder (129) rounded out the top five. Palone’s 26.4% winning percentage was #1 again at The Meadows, with Wrenn at 25.1% and Merriman at 20%. Palone’s .410 UDRS rating led the way, with Wrenn at .399, and Merriman at .362. Wrenn held the advantage in purse earnings, with $3.49 million, while Palone was second at $3.44M. Merriman was third at $2.69M. A total of six drivers sat behind the winners of more than $1 million this year. Joining Wrenn, Palone and Merriman were Indof ($1.55M), Wilder ($1.46M) and Brady Brown ($1.43M).

There will be no live par-imutuel racing at The Meadows this week. The 2026 racing season will begin on Wednesday, Jan. 7, with action four days a week during the month – Wednesday through Saturday at 12:45 p.m. daily.