Rising star has big weekend

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – It would be hard to find another 22-year-old in harness racing who had a bigger last weekend (Feb. 21-23) than Brett Beckwith, who was the leading driver at The Meadowlands on both Friday and Saturday night before jumping on a plane to Orlando to scoop up the 2024 Dan Patch Rising Star Award at the yearly United States Harness Writers Association banquet.

“It was a great time and definitely special to spend with my family,” said Beckwith. “But I’m not big on taking days off. I really enjoy my job and to take Sunday (the night of the banquet) and Monday off was tough enough.”

Based on how things are going, taking a couple of days off are unlikely to stop Beckwith from getting wherever his sulky skills are going to take him.

Beckwith, after winning four races on both Feb. 21 and Feb. 22 at The Big M, now has 25 wins there on the year, and finds himself in second place in the standings at the mile oval, sandwiched in between a pair of veteran superstars, with Jason Bartlett ahead of him (with 28 wins) and Dave Miller right behind (24).

“I thought I had a few that had shots,” said Beckwith, whose 608 wins during 2024 was good for third in North America. “But didn’t think I’d win four both nights. I had some power the first few months I was there and was getting my head kicked in.”

It was the son of longtime horse people Mark and Melissa Beckwith who doled out the headaches to his foes on Friday, registering his four scores while driving in just 10 of the 14 races on the card. Brett’s winners paid $9.80, $2.60, $6 and $15.60, good for a profit of $140 if one plunked down $20 on each of his starters.

Saturday brought another four walks down victory lane, but did much more for Brett’s backers bank balances.

His winners that night – from a total of 12 drives – returned $28.80, $4.20, $4.60 and $102.20. The $20 bettor who wagered a total of $240 on Brett’s horses cashed in for $1,398, a profit of $1,158.

Brett was extremely appreciative of Mad Max Hanover, who won the ninth race as the 6-5 favorite while recording the fastest mile of the year in the sport after stopping the clock in 1:48.2.

“I told [trainer] Jake Leamon that’s the most fun I’ve ever had driving a horse,” said Brett. “You could feel him right through the lines. I watched that horse race a ton when Timmy [Tetrick] drove him. Timmy always kept him rolling, so I tried to do the same.”

Mad Max Hanover at 6-5 is one thing, but Fulsome (in the 12^th race) at 50-1?

“He surprised me,” said Brett, who’s currently fourth in the North American driver standings with 96 victories. “I thought I choked him. 20-1 would have been more fair for that horse.

“It’s a huge honor [being second in the standings at The Meadowlands]. If you would have asked me two years ago if I would have been getting drives at The Meadowlands, I wouldn’t have said yes. Things have progressed at an unbelievable pace.”

FREE PPs: 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.

THE SCHEDULE: During the months of February and March, live racing at The Big M will be conducted every Friday and Saturday with a first-race post-time of 6:20 p.m.

CATCH THE SHOW: Check out the live “Racing from The Meadowlands” pregame show at 5:45 p.m. every Friday and Saturday when track announcer Ken Warkentin opens up the mic with a scene set and program changes.

Big M TV’s Dave Little and Jessica Otten will reunite Friday after two weeks apart and will be on the Sam McKee Memorial Broadcast Set, from where the duo will provide news, notes, selections and a look at the night’s featured races.

On Saturday, Little will be joined on set by the Editor at DRF Harness, Derick Giwner, who, after the recently concluded United States Harness Writers Association’s director’s meeting in Orlando, FL, is now on the ballot for possible election to the Communicators Hall of Fame in Goshen, NY.

Joe Romanelli will handle interviews from the back paddock while winner’s circle host Gary DiLeo will provide commentary and selections on the FanDuel Television (FDTV) feed.

THE BILL OF FARE: Every night, The Meadowlands offers a marvelous menu of popular wagers that offer a low 15 percent takeout.

They are:

• 20-cent Pick-5: Race 1-5
• 20-cent Survivor Pick-7: Races 3-9 (mandatory payout nightly)
• 50-cent Pick-4: Races 6-9 ($50,000 guaranteed pool)
• 20-cent Pick-6: Races 8-13
• 50-cent Pick 4: Races 10-13 ($50,000 guaranteed pool)
• 10-cent non-jackpot Pentafecta (Hi-5): Race 14

TIME TO GET SOCIAL: 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 team of Otten (@JessicaOtten1), Little (@DaveLittleBigM) and Warkentin (@kenvoiceover).

OH YES, IT’S LADIES’ NIGHT: The Big M will celebrate women in racing on Saturday, March 8, as the track hosts International Women’s Day, sponsored by Clinton Tractor.

Otten and The Red Mile’s Emily Gaskin will host the night’s live simulcast broadcast and paddock interviews will be conducted by Scioto Downs’ Jenna Otten.

The night will include videos and interviews with the industry’s top female trainers, drivers and grooms, plus a race with an all-female field.

A GRAND CONTEST: Calling all handicappers!

The third edition of the 2025 Meadowlands Monthly Handicapping contest takes place on Friday, March 14. The event, which takes place once a month, goes for prize money totaling $1,000.

For those interested in taking part, these are the details:

• There is a $1,000 prize pool and the top two finishers earn entry into a December invitation-only tournament that will go for $10,000 in prize money.
• Contestants must be on-site to participate.
• For complete information, and to enter, go click here.

A ST. PATRICK’S DAY CELEBRATION: On Saturday, March 15, come to the track and meet a pair of legendary Irish athletes when former New York Jets quarterback Ray Lucas and heavyweight boxing great Gerry Cooney will be on hand to say hello to fans.

Ask them about touchdowns and knockouts when a meet and greet takes place from 5:30-6:30 p.m. in the Clubhouse Lobby.

There will also be a celebratory St. Patrick’s Day race on the card, sponsored by Mary and Peter Grandich.

WHAT A PAIRING: After meeting and greeting, you’ll probably want a great meal. Well, you’re in luck.

On Saturday, March 15, The Big M will offer the Ides of March cocktail pairing, a four-course meal where each of the four will be paired with a cocktail that will serve as a perfect complement to what you have on your plate.

Tickets are just $55 (plus tax and gratuity).

To buy tickets, click here.

PARTY ON: 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 FABULOUS: Meadowlands regulars know that if they want action on professional and college sports, all they have to do is head for the FanDuel Sportsbook, which is the No. 1 facility of its kind in all of 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, so watch and wager in comfort while having some great food and drink.

Two of the NBA’s biggest stars will go head-to-head in the featured matchup on Thursday (Feb. 27) when Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets travel to Milwaukee to take on Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks in a game that tips off at 8 p.m.

The Nuggets are a 3½-point favorite who are -172 on the money line. The under/over is 240½ points.

Will the two superstars put up 30 points or more? If you think they will, you’ll get -120 on Antetokounmpo and +148 on Jokic.

How about 10 or more rebounds? Antetokounmpo is -310 and Jokic is -480. If you think they’ll grab 16 or more rebounds, Antetokounmpo is +440 and Jokic is +350.

Whatever the sport, for the latest odds, go click 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.

by Dave Little, for The Meadowlands