Meadowlands: 'Young Guns' to take different routes during Championship Meet

Every winter, there are a handful of young drivers who make an impact at The Meadowlands, as most of the A-list pilots who won the Meadowlands Paces, Hambletonians, Breeders Crowns and Fall Final Four/FanDuel Championship events take a well-deserved rest after a hectic six months of Grand Circuit grind.

Since the start of 2025, four of The Big M’s “Young Guns” – drivers under the age of 30 – have excelled, becoming part of the culture that is The Big M experience, but now, like every year when spring is sprung, it’s time for these pilots to make decisions as to what to do next, as work for them becomes increasingly scarce with the drivers’ room getting more and more crowded.

The driver with the toughest call to make is Brett Beckwith. The 2024 Dan Patch Rising Star Award winner has made a number of eyebrows rise with his success at the East Rutherford, NJ, mile oval, as the 22-year-old is currently atop the driver standings with 60 victories.

“If you were to have asked me a year ago, I would’ve said I’m going to go where I can get the most work, but as it’s going right now, it wouldn’t make much sense to leave,” said Beckwith. “If I want to advance my career to the next level, then I have to take the chance and stay at The Meadowlands throughout the year. At that point, you need a little luck and the right opportunities. Plus, I have a very strong work ethic and drive to be my best, so that never hurts.”

Braxten Boyd, whose 27 wins are good for a tie for fifth in the standings, is sure of what he has to do. Friday’s (April 18) card may be the last Big M fans will see of Boyd for a while.

“I actually have already made the decision to leave,” said the 25-year-old. “I get lots of work at Tioga. It’s a business. Usually, I have a better chance at making more money driving there and it’s an hour closer to my home. With the top drivers back at The Meadowlands, I’ll stay at Pocono and Tioga for as many races as I can and try to follow the New York Sire Stakes as much as possible.”

Mark Herschberger, who didn’t turn 30 until two weeks ago, has been the biggest surprise. For the most part unknown until a solid 2024 at Freehold, he currently sits fourth in The Big M standings with 29 winner’s circle visits.

“Ideally, I'd love to stay at The Meadowlands through the summer, although that may not be an option with the Grand Circuit drivers returning,” said Herschberger. “Right now, I'm driving seven days a week at four different tracks – Pocono, Yonkers, Chester and The Meadowlands. I'm hoping that, perhaps, when the big drivers take off for Sire Stakes, with the amount of travel they do, I'll still have a foot in the door at some of these tracks and be able to pick up some live mounts.

“I've prioritized The Meadowlands and Yonkers since they are closest to my home and where I'd like to really focus my drives. Freehold closing was a significant blow to the power I sit behind, so for now, I'm just waiting to see what tracks I get the nicest drives at and I'll take it from there.”

Johnathan Ahle, a regular at Rosecroft and the leading pilot at the Maryland track in 2024, is currently tied for the fifth spot in The Big M standings with Boyd.

“Chester is now open, so I’ll be over there,” said the 28-year-old Ahle. “As far as The Meadowlands goes, opportunities will start slimming down.

“I was usually at Freehold on Saturdays. It was another day of racing and another paycheck and it’s nice to fill an afternoon. As far as the weekends coming up, I have no real plan set up. I’ll take it as it goes. There’ll be some possibilities at Pocono, and, who knows, maybe a New York track. Once the stakes season starts, a lot of the bigger drivers are always moving around, so I’ll try to hit’em where they ain’t.”

SET YOUR ALARM: Saturday (April 26) morning qualifiers will once again have some big names spread throughout the 15 dashes.

Notable horses who will be qualifying include:

· 3^rd qualifier – Champagne Problems

· 4^th qualifier – Lovedbythemasses

· 7^th qualifier – Swingtown

· 8^th qualifier – Sippinonsearoc

· 10^th qualifier – Voukefalas

· 11^th qualifier – Mirage Hanover

· 12^th qualifier – Twin B Joe Fresh

· 15^th qualifier – Miki And Minnie

The qualifiers, which begin at 9 a.m., can be seen live on The Meadowlands website (playmeadowlands.com) or rtn.tv (Racing Television Network). To see the entries, go here.

-edited release (Meadowlands)