by Bob Heyden

Here are some people or horses that have made — or may make — history this year.

BRETT BECKWITH

Brett Beckwith, who does not turn 22 until January, should be a unanimous choice for 2024’s Rising Star Award making him the youngest ever to win it. Beckwith, who is having a career year — 2,720 544-451-381, $5,606,286 — missed winning the award by a single vote a year ago. Richard Silverman set the record in 1986 turning 22 in November of his award-winning season.

CHRIS RYDER, DEXTER DUNN, AND TWIN B JOE FRESH

Chris Ryder is on the doorstep of being the first trainer since 1970 to be elected to the Hall of Fame and have the Horse of the Year the same year. Joe O’Brien did it in 1970 with Fresh Yankee.

Ryder, Dexter Dunn, and Twin B Joe Fresh will be the third Trainer of the Year, Driver of the Year, Horse of the Year combo in the same year, should they all win. In 2012, trainer Linda Toscano, driver Tim Tetrick, and Chapter Seven did it, as did trainer Greg Peck, driver Brian Sears and Muscle Hill in 2009.

This one goes a step further with Ryder and Dunn in on the ownership of the outstanding Roll With Joe mare.

Of course, this is contingent on Ryder winning the trainer award which has several worthy candidates such as Ron Burke, Ake Svanstedt, Marcus Melander, et al.

MULTIPLE MILLERS AND MORE

Six Millers in one race? The second race at Hoosier Park on Friday (Nov. 15) had drivers Andy, Lewayne, and Marcus as well as trainers Erv, Susan and Julie. Alvin Miller is in a later race. It’s a good stat, but likely not a world record.

Thursday (Nov. 14 2024) there were back-to-back $100 horses at Hoosier Park. That has happened before, but is extremely rare. Trace Tetrick and Jordan Ross, the first and fourth leading drivers at the track, both won with a favorite and a $100 horse on the same night, which could be a record. Tetrick won the first race with Fancywontletyadown ($3.80) and the ninth with Miki Leaks ($112.20). Ross won the fourth race with favored Gracefull Lilly ($6) and then lit up the board with J Ks Desire in the 10th ($101.20).

AMAZING CATCH

Amazing Catch sold for $1,850,000. Wow! It was the third seven figure sale at Harrisburg in a record setting week. Possibly even more amazing, is of the top 50 earners of 2024, Amazing Catch is No. 16 at $707,330. But the only one with just two wins (12 2-3-5).

MARYLAND

As of Nov. 15, Maryland is No. 1 among all earners in North America at $1,227,695. About $85G up on Nijinsky at $1,142,920. The last time a 2-year-old trotter led the entire sport at year’s end was Newport Dream in 1953. It’s also happened three times on the pacing side, the last being Redskin in 1986.

BOB-BING AND WEAVING

Here are a few more stats on some top drivers and trainers:

• In the last 22 years, nine times the Driver of the Year also handled the Horse of the Year. Dunn could double up in 2024 after handling the unanimous winner Bulldog Hanover in 2022. Others who have done it are Yannick Gingras with both Hannelore Hanover (2017) and JK She’salady (2014), Dave Miller with both Always B Miki (2016) and with the last Triple Crown winner on the pacing side No Pan Intended (2003), Tim Tetrick with Chapter Seven (2012), Brian Sears with Muscle Hill (2009), John Campbell with Glidemaster (2006) and Ron Pierce with Rainbow Blue (2004).

• On the training side (eight for 39), it happened last with Nancy Takter in 2020 with Tall Dark Stranger. Linda Toscano actually went 1-2 with Chapter Seven and Market Share (2012). Greg Peck won with Muscle Hill (2009), Steve Elliott with Donato Hanover (2007), Ivan Sugg with No Pan Intended (2003), Mark Ford with Gallo Blue Chip (2000), Bob McIntosh with Artsplace (1992) and Chuck Sylvester with Mack Lobell (1987).

• Dunn with 1,348 starts and Scott Zeron with 1,303 are in the top four in money in 2024, yet no one else in the top 29 in driving earners has fewer drives.

• Amazing UTRS of .469 for Brett Pelling in 2024 off the strength of his great stats: 279 86-56-41 and $2,887,822. It’s quite likely that Pelling will be the 28th trainer in the last 32 years to not get a HOY vote the year after winning it the year prior (Confederate).

• Ron Burke is having another huge season with his $21.2 million, more than the next three — Ake Svanstedt, Travis Alexander, and Per Engblom — combined ($19.98 million).