BECKWITH YOUNGEST EVER TO WEAR BIG M DRIVER CROWN
Things went about as well as they could have for driver Brett Beckwith during 2024 ...
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ -- August 6, 2025 -- Things went about as well as they could have for driver Brett Beckwith during 2024.
And one could make a strong case that 2025 is going even better.
A year ago, the then 21-year-old was voted the Dan Patch Rising Star of the Year Award winner by the United States Harness Writers Association on the strength of a serious season.
The son of longtime horsepeople Mark and Melissa Beckwith won 608 races, which was good for third in the national standings behind Aaron Merriman and Jason Bartlett.
His money-earnings were a career-high $6,271,414, which was good for 18th in North America.
You’d think Beckwith would have kept things pretty much the same after a monster year like that, but that’s exactly what he did not do.
Every winter, with a small handful of exceptions, the “A-list” drivers take some time off from The Meadowlands after six months of Grand Circuit grind, which gives some young pilots a chance to be seen where the light is brightest, at the track located just off the New Jersey Turnpike’s Exit 16W.
It was an opportunity that Beckwith, now 22, took full advantage of, as he not only became the leading driver at the mile oval at the Winter-Spring-Championship meeting that concluded Saturday (Aug. 2), Hambletonian Day, but became the youngest ever to lead the Big M colony, checking in two years younger than John Campbell, who was 24 when he wore the belt in 1979.
Beckwith’s 92 wins were far more than runner-up Dave Miller’s total of 68.
“To win the driver title at The Meadowlands is truly an honor,” said Beckwith. “On a nightly basis, I get to race with guys, who, in my mind, are Hall of Fame drivers.
“I’m blessed to get the opportunities I have at my age, but I’m putting in the work during the winter months when most of the [top drivers] take some time off. To be the youngest ever, that means a lot to me. It means I’m on the right track.”
Luckily for Big M fans, Beckwith will be doing plenty of racing at the mile oval moving forward.
“Yeah, for the most part, the plan is to stay at The Meadowlands, though, some days, maybe I’ll chase after some stakes elsewhere, like the New York circuit,” said Beckwith. “But I’m going to try and consistently stay at The Meadowlands.”
Beckwith appreciates the fast track his career is on, but has no plans on easing off the gas pedal.
“If you asked me four or five years ago, I’d say my career is light years ahead of where I thought it would be right now,” said Beckwith. “But I don’t have much time to reflect on any of my achievements because I’m always chasing the next one. So, for now, it’s going to be the six-to-seven-day-a-week grind racing.”
MY BECKWITH’S AMERICAN MADE: Beckwith has been selected by the U.S. Trotting Association to wear the Stars and Stripes and represent America in November’s World Driving Championship in New Zealand.
RACE ON: In a departure of what usually takes place after Hambletonian Day, racing will continue at The Big M on a Friday-Saturday basis through Sept. 13. Post time will be the normal 6:20 p.m.
There will be two exceptions. Due to preseason football at MetLife Stadium, there will be no live action on Saturday, Aug. 16, and Friday, Aug. 22.
HELLO? WHO’S CALLING? This weekend, there will be a pair of substitute voices on the microphone The Big M.
Serving as track announcer on Friday will be longtime Thoroughbred and Standardbred commentator Anthony Stabile, and describing the action Saturday will be the voice of Harrah’s Philadelphia, Mike Bozich.
The simulcast show from the Sam McKee Memorial Broadcast Set will have the same team on both Friday and Saturday, as John Rallis, who divides his on-camera time between The Big M and Woodbine Mohawk Park when not serving as an editor and columnist at TROT Magazine, will be in the host’s chair, alongside his co-host, Derick Giwner, the Editor at DRF Harness.
Handling interviews from the back paddock as well as providing commentary and selections on the FanDuel Television (FDTV) feed will be Joe Romanelli, the former track announcer at Freehold Raceway, who also calls qualifiers and baby races at The Big M.
HELLUVA HAMBO HANDLE: Total North American handle on the 16-race Hambletonian Day card Saturday at The Meadowlands totaled $7,464,087, up slightly over 2024, when $7.427 million was pushed through the windows.
A crowd of 17,696 jammed into the mile oval as on-track betting totaled $851,826, an increase over last year of 8.2 percent.
Wagering on the Hambo itself saw a slight increase as well, as $1,172,046 was wagered on the 100th edition of America’s Trotting Classic, an uptick of 5 percent over 2024.
BIG M GOES NATIONAL: For a fifth consecutive year, the TV teams at the New York Racing Association (NYRA) and The Meadowlands are combining forces to bring high-caliber harness racing stakes events to a coast-to-coast audience over the networks of FOX Sports as part of NYRA’s “America’s Day at the Races” telecasts.
The next broadcast will be Friday, Sept. 5, when the New Jersey Classic Series finals take center stage.
Here is the schedule for the remaining FOX Sports shows, with the event(s) that will be featured and the time the show will be broadcast. Which FOX network the show can be found on – Fox 5 New York (locally), FS1 or FS2 – will be determined:
· September 5 – New Jersey Classic Series finals, 8-11 p.m., TBA
· November 1 – Kindergarten finals, 8-11 p.m., TBA
· November 15 – Fall Final Four, 8-11 p.m., TBA
A GREAT WAY TO PLAY: Every night, The Meadowlands offers a marvelous menu of popular wagers that offer a low 15 percent takeout.
They are:
· Races 1-5: 20-cent Pick-5
· Races 3-9: 20-cent Survivor Pick-7 (mandatory payout nightly)
· Races 6-9: Early 50-cent Pick-4 ($50,000 guaranteed pool)
· Races 8-13: 20-cent Pick-6
· Races 10-13: Late 50-cent Pick 4 ($50,000 guaranteed pool)
· Race 14: 10-cent non-jackpot Pentafecta (Hi-5)
WHAT? THEY’RE FREE? To show appreciation to its loyal fan base, The Meadowlands offers free program pages for every race of every race card on its website.
Go to playmeadowlands.com, then click on the “news” dropdown to get the past performances at absolutely no cost.
SOCIALLY SUPERIOR: Everything Meadowlands is available by going on X. You can check in with the Big M team for early changes, racing information and staff selections by going to @themeadowlands or #playbigm.
Stay in touch with The Big M talent duo of Dave Little (@DaveLittleBigM) and Ken Warkentin (@kenvoiceover).
A GREAT NIGHT OUT: Looking to book a corporate event or private party? The Meadowlands has unlimited event possibilities. The redesigned Gallery with multiple TVs, private bar and balcony overlooking the FanDuel Sportsbook is perfect for game days, watch parties and more.
To book your private party, email alokshin@playmeadowlands.com.
FANDUEL IS NO. 1: Meadowlands regulars know that if they want action on professional sports, all they have to do is head for the FanDuel Sportsbook, which is the No. 1 facility of its kind in North America.
It couldn’t be easier to access, as it’s located inside the grandstand at The Big M.
The book has massive TV screens and self-service betting terminals, which enable fans to watch and wager in comfort while having some great food and drink.
On Thursday (Aug. 7), both the New York Mets and New York Yankees are off, but one MLB game of interest has the Cincinnati Reds traveling to Pittsburgh to take on the Pirates and one the best pitchers in baseball, Paul Skenes, whose 2.02 ERA leads all of Major League Baseball. The Pirates are -180 in the game that has an under/over of 7½ runs. First pitch is at 6:40 p.m.
Whatever the sport, for the latest odds, go here.
The FanDuel Sportsbook is open for business Monday through Friday 10 a.m. – 1 a.m.; Saturday 8 a.m. – 1 a.m.; and Sunday 8 a.m. – midnight.
