DRF HARNESS HOME DIGITAL HARNESS EYE HARNESS PPS DRF BETS ENTRIES ARCHIVE THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2021 ‘Young Guns’ look to climb in driving ranks The next generation of driving talent with strong family ties NEW PLAYERS in the industry have begun their journeys in harness racing and one victory, respectively, is impressive when you consider he just made his first pari- DOUBLE YOUR By Greg Reinhart mutuel start on October 23, 2020, is a “provi- FIRST DEPOSIT sional” driver, and didn’t get any experience @gregreinhart testing the waters in the amateur ranks. UP TO $250 “I’m still learning to be honest,” he said. “I’ve been driving for maybe four months. I’m really trying to figure it out still.” JOIN NOW A group of young drivers, including Jack Pelling, Tyler Miller, Brett Beckwith, and Luke Hanners, with deep family ties to the racing industry, are looking to build on some early success they’ve had while also continu- Inside this issue ing to grow and learn in their craft. Pelling, who will turn 26 on April 8 of this year, was born in the United States but then Jay Bergman: Reacting to the on-track moved to Australia after his father, Brett, landscape, Page 7 departed the industry when the 2005 racing Darin Zoccali: Harness Racing handle season concluded. Harness racing wasn’t really in the picture while he was Down continues to rise in the U.S., Page 9 Under, but a key discussion with his dad Derick Giwner: From handicappers to brought it back to the forefront. “I was around horses until I was 10, but I drivers, we all have favorites, Page 11 really only started driving seriously in about Mark MacDonald has some power on 2019,” remarked Jack. “I’ve been over and work- Saturday at The Meadowlands, Page 13 ing with the horses a bit, but driving specifi- cally, I only really thought about it a couple of On The Backstretch: Profile of driver years ago. Brett being away from the game for Tony Hall, Page 15 so long, in that whole period of time, I never even thought of harness racing. It’s kind of just Face Time Bourbon sets record in come about, but I’m pretty happy about it. VICKI WRIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY Prix d’Amerique, Page 19 “I admitted I wasn’t really doing too much Jack Pelling drove in his first pari-mutuel after high school, and then Brett kind of came race on October 23, 2020. Best Bets & Analysis, Page 19 to me and said ‘well, you know, if you want, I can get you back over to America and work On December 26 of last year and New Year’s Industry Headlines, Page 20 with the horses, see how you like it.’ I said yes, Day of 2021, the younger Pelling got a chance so we went from there.” to pilot the razor-sharp pacing mare Alexa Comments? Questions? Driving primarily at Freehold Raceway, Skye for his dad in the Fillies & Mares Open Email the Editor [email protected] Jack has won 20 races from 174 career drives Handicap at Freehold and took advantage both and is off to a good start to 2021, sporting a times, guiding her to eye-catching off-the-pace TO ENSURE PROPER delivery win clip of 16.6 percent (14-84) and a UDRS of victories from post eight. While having his dad OF THE NEWSLETTER VIA .285 through February 4. The fact he sits sixth in his corner is certainly a help, he’s gotten in the standings at Freehold so far this meet, chances from other barns, as well. EMAIL, ADD [email protected]. trailing the likes of seasoned pros Daniel BHSCo.-Wintercom PTA-2_Layout to your contact 1 2/1/2021 LIST 11:20 DubeAM Page and 1George Brennan by only two wins CONTINUED ON PAGE 3 Online catalog available PLAN TO ATTEND! at www.bloodedhorse.com JERRY HAWS P.O. Box 187 Wilmore, Kentucky 40390 Phone: (859) 858-4415 Fax: (859) 858-8498 ONE DAY...FEBRUARY 9, 2021 “There’s No Substitute for Experience” © 2021 Daily Racing Form, LLC - 10 Grand Central, 3rd Floor, NY, NY 10017 First-Crop 3YOs in 2021 include: FLAWLESS COUNTRY (pictured) PASS Champion (1:53.0, $430,423) DELAYED HANOVER Winner of Bluegrass Series (1:53.4, $136,418) Six yearlings sold for $100,000 or more last year TYPE A Winner of Matron Stakes (1:55.0, $164,779) THE BEST SON OF MUSCLE HILL AT STUD BY MUSCLE HILL OUT OF FLAWLESS LINDY | 2021 PRIVATE FEE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 “It was just a big thrill. I couldn’t believe that she was so good at the end there,” Jack said of Alexa Skye, who he added is the best horse he’s driven so far. “She just kept going for me, and it was great. I definitely didn’t feel overly confi- dent the whole time, just coming from the back like that, but it was a big thrill. It was great. “I have to say, especially right now starting off, John Urbanski was so kind to me early on. He gave me so many drives. I feel like he really helped me put my foot in the door over there. I’ll give a shout out to him, for sure.” Last November, Brett Pelling was the subject of the weekly profile Q&A in DRF Harness Digest, and he noted that Jack is built simi- larly to Dexter Dunn, and that he told his son to watch his style. Jack has taken those words to heart, noting that he speaks to the reigning two-time Driver of the Year. “I enjoy talking to him. I want to talk to him even more and get closer to him,” Jack said of Dunn. “I love watching him, and he’s a great example, for sure.” As far as the remainder of 2021, Jack remarked that he’s hoping to continue his progression as a driver and maybe catch his dad’s eye come TYLER MILLER FACEBOOK PAGE stakes time. Tyler Miller has 28 wins in 266 career drives through February 3. “I just want to keep going how I’m going. I feel like I’m coming pretty strong. I just want to get my “A” license. I guess a goal would be to get on one of my dad’s horses additional amateur events. Having that sort of success at the sport’s by the end of the year. Really get on one that has some power,” he offered. biggest venue is a feather in the cap for any driver, let alone a young Tyler Miller, who turned 23 on January 19, is the son of highly- one just starting out. successful driver Andy Miller and trainer Julie Miller. He also has “That was pretty fun. That was actually my first career pari- an uncle in Erv Miller who trains horses at the top of the game, one mutuel start (at the Meadowlands), and it ended up being a winning cousin in Marcus Miller who owns a number of big wins, and another one, which is even more icing on the cake,” recalled Tyler. “There’s cousin in Hannah Miller who was Amateur Driver of the Year in 2016. just so much history, great horses and great horsemen that have trav- Harness racing is definitely in his blood, and he decided to stick with eled over that track. Just to be able to cross the finish line first at such the industry even while pursuing a higher education. a historic and storied track is something special, especially being the “I’ve always been around the horses my whole life,” said Tyler. “I’ve first time I ever went behind the starting gate.” gone to the track with my dad since I was a little kid, so it’s always Like Jack Pelling, Tyler primarily drives at Freehold right now, and been a part of my life. is hoping to hone his skills with each opportunity, while not necessar- “When I graduated high school I made the decision to go to school ily focusing on his numbers. and get a four-year degree in business management from Rider “There’s not really anything from a statistical standpoint. I don’t really University. I kind of went through different avenues and experienced go out and be like I want to get 1,000 wins or 2,000 wins or make $200,000 different dreams at school, and it really came down to it that I wanted this year or something like that,” Tyler stated. “It’s more just trying to to do racing and the horses as my career.” get my name out there more, trying to get more experience, taking some- While he now has his full “A” license, Tyler got a significant amount thing away from every single drive, and learning every single day.” of experience driving in the amateur ranks to start out his driving Having a successful set of parents is also the case for 18-year-old career, and he says that was a big help in getting his feet wet. driver Brett Beckwith, as his dad, Mark, has racked up 5,802 trips to “When I was in school I drove a lot in the amateurs, just to have the winner’s circle as a driver, and his mother, Melissa, has trained some fun and to get some experience about doing it,” offered Tyler. 1,918 victors. Melissa Beckwith’s father, Jerry Silverman, is in the “There wasn’t a lot of pressure attached to it.