Yonkers, NY — The youngsters showed the way in a pair of $8,000 North American Amateur Drivers Association trotting events on Thursday (May 18) at Yonkers Raceway, when 16-year-old Brett Beckwith and 21-year-old Tyler Miller were victorious in their respective divisions. For Brett, son of Mark Beckwith, it was his maiden victory; while Tyler, whose dad is Andy Miller, notched his second career triumph. And with their pedigrees, one can only assume that winning will become commonplace for them in years to come.

Beckwith handled Dark Pool for trainer Paul Fusco and acted like a veteran when he settled in the three-hole on the first turn and was third through a :28.1 quarter. Then Beckwith moved first-up and had command at the halfway point in :58.2. “I swooped to the lead and then my horse just kept going,” Beckwith said after the race. “Once we were in command, I just let him ramble and we began to open daylight on the field.”

At the three-quarters, Dark Pool had three lengths on Tough Get Going (Joe Faraldo). In the lane, Beckwith’s trotter kept the pedal to the metal and cruised home an easy 8-1/2 length winner in 1:56. “He (Dark Pool) was so wound up that I had a hard time stopping him after the race,” Beckwith admitted.

Tough Get Going held on for second, and Wygant Prince (Pearly Allen) trotted home in third.

The winner is owned by Vinny Ginsburg.

In the earlier contest, Tyler Miller started from post four with Next Woman Up and angled his trotting mare directly to the pylons to follow Cheeky Little Minx (Joe Pennacchio) and a parked Ladys Big Stormont (Alan Schwartz) from fourth past the quarter in :28 and the half in :57.2.

Pennacchio’s charge had a length on her competition at the top of the lane. Although the veteran mare was game, she couldn’t rebuff Miller’s Next Woman Up, who came charging in the final strides to win narrowly in 1:58.4. Third place went to Master Of Excuses (Monica Banca).

Next Woman Up is owned by the Second Chance Stable and trained by Nick Surick.

Next Thursday (May 25), the top point-earners in the series will race in a $15,000 final, also at Yonkers Raceway.