BRETT ON SET: BECKWITH TO WORK ON BIG M TV SHOW FRIDAY

Thursday, May 21, 2026

Fans of Brett Beckwith have missed watching – and betting – on the 23-year-old pilot for the last month or so, as the defending Meadowlands leading driver from 2025 has been on the mend since going down in a spill at Saratoga Raceway last month.

Beckwith’s followers won’t be able to place a wager on their favorite driver, but they will be able to see another side of the 2024 Dan Patch Rising Star Award winner when he joins The Big M’s TV team on Friday (May 22) night.

During the course of the evening, Beckwith will be interviewed by regular host Dave Little, and will be seen on the Sam McKee Broadcast Set sporadically throughout the night with both Little and John Rallis providing the unique insights only a driver can, as well as touting selections on selected races and giving out tickets for both 50-cent Pick-4s.

“Doing the show, it’s more of just something that would be a fun hobby or something. It’s something different,” said Beckwith. “I think it’s good for the fans and the sport to see different opinions.”

What about a future in TV?

“I don’t ever see myself retiring (from driving),” said Beckwith. “But let’s say, if I did, I wouldn’t be against it. You know, like how (Hall of Fame driver) Randy Waples does at Mohawk. That probably still gives him that thrill of being surrounded by horses and horse people, but without actually driving.”

The winner of more than 1,200 races during 2024-25 is predictably champing at the bit to get back in the bike.

“I got hurt 5½ weeks ago,” said Beckwith. “I had a broken jaw, a broken wrist and some head trauma. I actually just had my final brain scan, and I got an all clear on that. And now it’s physical therapy on my wrist. I have to have it where I can get locked in a hole and have the confidence that I can hold a horse.”

“All of us at The Meadowlands look forward to having Brett do the show on Friday,” said Big M Chief Operating Officer and General Manager Jason Settlemoir. “Brett and I have spoken in the past about him appearing on the broadcast, and with him currently on the sidelines, it’s the perfect time for him to show us what he can do. Our show provides viewers with opinions from handicappers, announcers, trainers and other people from the racing industry. To add a driver to that list is something we are happy to do for our viewers.”

Beckwith is hoping to return to action sometime in June. Until then, his fans will have to settle for Brett the Broadcaster instead of Brett the Driver.

YOU’LL NEED A SCORECARD: This weekend, in addition to Beckwith bringing his perspectives to the Sam McKee Memorial Broadcast Set on Friday, a pair of semi-regular faces will also be seen on The Big M’s live simulcast presentation.

On Friday, regular host Little will have Rallis alongside, providing his insights and selections, as well as another edition of “Replays with Rallis”, where the Associate Editor and columnist at Trot Magazine breaks down some key performances in the hopes of catching a big winner on the card.

Little will once again host on Saturday, but that night, Derick Giwner, the Editor at DRF Harness, will be in the co-host’s chair. The last time Giwner was on set three weeks ago, he gave out Ygritte to win the Lady Suffolk for 3-year-old filly trotters, who returned $35.80 to her backers. Rallis will be on hand as well, providing pre-race interviews from the paddock and post-race interviews from the winner’s circle.

The pregame show begins at 6 p.m. nightly.

On both Friday and Saturday, Ken Warkentin will be in his usual spot calling the races. Warkentin picks the races as well as he announces them, as his seven-winner night on Saturday (May 16) proved.

Gary DiLeo will provide commentary and selections for the FanDuel Television (FDTV) feed on Friday, while Melissa Keith will handle FDTV on Saturday.

ONE THOUSAND REASONS TO PLAY: For the fifth time this year, patrons who love a good challenge will go at it for $1,000 in cash prizes on Saturday (May 23) night, when Leg 5 of the popular Meadowlands Monthly Handicapping Contest takes place.

It’s important to finish at or near the top of the leaderboard, as the four players with the highest bankrolls at the end of the night will win some cash (on a $500-$250-$150-$100 basis), but only the top two finishers will earn spots in the $10,000 invitation-only contest final, which takes place on Saturday, Dec. 12.

2026 contest schedule:

• Leg 5 –Saturday, May 23
• Leg 6 –Friday, June 12
• Leg 7 –Friday, July 24
• Leg 8 –Saturday, Aug. 22
• Leg 9 –Saturday, Sept. 5
• Leg 10 –Friday, Oct. 23
• Leg 11 – Saturday, Nov. 14
• Invitation-only $10,000 contest final:Saturday, Dec. 12

Each monthly contest will follow the same format:

• Contestants must bet a minimum of five Meadowlands races.
• No minimum or maximum bet per race.
• All wagers offered on The Meadowlands program are eligible for the contest.
• Contestants keep all pari-mutuel winnings.
• Unlimited entries per person.

There is no entry fee, but a $100 live-money bankroll is required for players, and the prize pool is guaranteed at $1,000, funded by The Meadowlands.

On the night of the contest, players must register/check-in at the Clubhouse Lobby by 6:35 p.m. A $100 betting card must be purchased to participate, as this is a live-money/wagering contest.

The top two finishers from each $1,000 contest earn spots in the $10,000 tournament final on December 12 (22 total players).

To register for the competition, go here.

Must be 18 or over to wager on racing. Gambling problem, dial 1-800-GAMBLER.

THE SPECTACULAR SEVEN: Here is the lineup of wagers that will be offered every racing night. They all offer a low 15 percent takeout. On Saturday, with 15 races on the program, the 10-cent Late Pentafecta (Hi-5) will be offered on the 15^th race.

• Races 1-5: 20-cent Early Pick-5
• Races 3-8: 20-cent Pick-6
• Races 6-9: 50-cent Early Pick-4 ($50,000 guaranteed pool)
• Race 7: 10-cent Early Pentafecta (Hi-5)
• Races 8-12: 20-cent Late Pick-5
• Races 10-13: 50-cent Late Pick-4 ($50,000 guaranteed pool)
• Race 14: 10-cent Late Pentafecta (Hi-5)

THE SCHEDULE: Live harness racing at The Meadowlands will be conducted on a Friday-Saturday basis through Sept. 12 with a first-race post time of 6:35 p.m.

There are several exceptions to those rules.

On July 4, there is a stakes-packed program that includes two Graduate finals as well as eliminations for the Meadowlands Pace. Post time is 6 p.m. At the conclusion of the card, the track will have a fabulous fireworks show.

The 101^st edition of the $1-million Hambletonian is on August 8. That card begins at noon.

Finally, there will be one card that takes place on a Thursday. That program is on August 6.

There may be more changes to the schedule in the coming weeks with the World Cup soccer tournament coming to town, pending approval from the New Jersey Racing Commission.

The Meadowlands has asked the Commission for the following:

• The cancellation of live racing on Saturday, June 13, and Saturday, June 27
• To make those dates up, the track is seeking to have live racing on Thursday, June 11, and Thursday, July 2.

In addition, The Big M will ask the Commission to cancel simulcasting on the following dates, when World Cup matches will be played at New York New Jersey Stadium (aka MetLife Stadium):

• Tuesday, June 16
• Monday, June 22
• Thursday, June 25
• Tuesday, June 30
• Sunday, July 5
• Sunday, July 19

“We are hoping that our regular customers don’t mind some inconvenience when the World Cup is in town,” said Settlemoir of the competition that begins June 11 and concludes July 19. “But the fact is, those days play out like Football Sundays when the Jets or Giants are playing home games. The difference is, there is no parking on site. We are open on days when there is soccer to any rideshare customers on property. On those days, patrons can get their action in the FanDuel Sportsbook.”

GET YOUR FREE PROGRAMS: 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.

CHECK OUT FACEBOOK AND X: Check out The Meadowlands on Facebook (@meadowlandsracetrack) for race replays, interviews, carryover updates, promotional videos and much more.

Everything Meadowlands is also 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 Little (@DaveLittleBigM) and Warkentin (@kenvoiceover).

BET THE KNICKS IN FANDUEL: Meadowlands regulars who love to plunk down a bet or two on professional sports, know all they have to do is head for the FanDuel Sportsbook, the No. 1 betting facility of its type in North America.

It couldn’t be easier to do, as it’s located inside the grandstand at The Big M. There are massive TV screens and self-service betting terminals, which enable fans to watch and wager in comfort while having some great food and drink.

The NBA’s Eastern Conference finals roll on Thursday (May 21) at 8 p.m. with the Cleveland Cavaliers heading to the World’s Most Famous Arena, Madison Square Garden, for Game 2 of the best-of-seven series with the New York Knicks. The winner will advance to the NBA Finals.

The Knicks, who lead the series one game to none, are a 6½-point favorite in the game that has an under/over of 214½ points.

For all of you Jalen Brunson fans, he is +142 to score at least 30 points. Will he go for 35 or more? You get +350 if he has another game like he did on Tuesday, when he scored 38 in the Knicks thrilling come-from-behind win.

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.