Meadowlands: Beckwith the youngest ever to win Big M driving crown

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.”

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.

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.

-edited release (Meadowlands)