Tim Tetrick is undoubtedly one of harness racing's most decorated drivers, with over 12,000 wins and myriad accolades to his credit, but in recent years, he has also found a renewed enjoyment in his experience as a Standardbred owner.

"I've owned horses since I was 13 or 14 years old with my dad," Tetrick told presenter Dave Little in last Saturday's (March 27) "In The Sulky" segment of the Meadowlands pre-race show. I remember going to the fairs, and my dad would always give me and my brothers one horse, and we got to make whatever we did there. At the end of the year, you make two, three, four, five thousand (dollars), and it's a bonus. And I've got a few broodmares, and I love going to the yearling sales and picking out one or two bargain prices. I've had a little luck doing it. I enjoy it; it's just something I like to do."

To this day, while years and miles removed from the Illinois fairs where he cut his teeth on harness racing, the 39-year-old Tetrick still enjoys being able to browse low- to mid-price yearlings and claimers in search of a sound equine investment with what little free time he has.

"(My dad) taught us how to make money on a very tight budget, so you watch and you try to find one — that diamond in the rough — that you give a little money for and you can double or triple your profits," he continued. "I've got horses that I've watched over three or four years. It might take five years to finally get the one I want, but you just have to be there and be ready."

While not a bargain-basement yearling by any means, Tetrick's recent involvement with the recently-retired Shartin N — the first United States Harness Writers Association Horse of the Year not to be born in North America — was no doubt augmented by his minority stake in the double millionaire, whom he co-owned with Richard Poillucci and JoAnn Looney-King.

"She was gutsy as they come, she had great big lungs, and she could just go really fast," Tetrick said. "All those things together make a great horse, and she was one of the best. She's the dominant mare of her time; I was happy to be part of her career."

Tetrick feels fortunate to have been able to team up with Looney-King and her husband, trainer Jim King Jr., not just with Shartin N, but on a number of other horses, as well.

"Jimmy and JoAnn are great partners. They run a great barn; they take super care of their horses.... What they get, they deserve. They're hard workers, and I'm just glad they let me ride their coattails."

The entire interview appears below.