Drivers face off for a cause in Veterans vs. Young Guns showdown

SARATOGA SPRINGS, New York (September 9, 2025) – The harness racing track at Saratoga Casino Hotel is excited to host Veterans vs Young Guns Driving Challenge – a point-based competition pitting seasoned veteran drivers against rising stars to raise funds for national charities benefitting harness racing and the horses, both youthful and retired.

This special event, created by track photographer, Jessica Hallett, will take place on Sunday, September 14 during the regular race card. The Challenge races will be races two, four, seven and nine, and will feature two teams:

• Veterans: Mark Beckwith, Wally Hennessey, Jim Devaux and Chris Long
• Young Guns: Brett Beckwith, Jacob Cutting, Mitchell Cushing and Matthew Athearn

Over the course of the four challenge races, each team will accumulate points based on their performance. The winning team’s charity will receive 60% of the funds raised, while the runner-up team’s charity will receive 40%. The Veterans team will compete on behalf of the Purple Haze Standardbred Adoption Program which retrains and rehomes harness horses after their racing careers are over, and the Young Guns team will represent the Harness Horse Youth Foundation which helps kids learn about harness racing through summer camps and other activities.

The purse money is the accumulation of donations from supporters. There are currently over 100 sponsors and donations from industry leaders and local Saratoga businesses. Besides monetary sponsors, harness drivers have donated sets of colors to auction off and harness companies have donated products for a raffle. Approximately $35,000 will be split between the two charities.

“Everything about this event was geared towards my belief in what presents the true nature of harness racing,” track photographer, Jessica Hallett said. “From including the next generation to tying in the historic value of the sport, from showing how the industry comes together to support one another to raising money for two wonderful charities, and from helping our horses find careers after racing to showcasing a couple of Standardbreds and their versatility. It’s all about the horses and horsemen, all about the sport, and I couldn’t be prouder to have Saratoga represent these two great charities.”

Adding even more fun, a miniature horse race will be held after race five between team captains/father-son duo, Mark Beckwith and Brett Beckwith. Family-friendly activities will take place on the Apron, along with delicious food from Di Folco’s Roaming Occasions food truck and sweet treats from Winners Gourmet Ice Cream.

Post time on Saturday, September 14 is 12:00pm. Fans and spectators alike are welcome to come out and enjoy this exciting afternoon of competition, family fun and racing in support of two great causes.

From Saratoga Raceway