Trace Tetrick notched the 3,000th win of his driving career after he piloted Kayla As to a Tuesday evening victory at Hoosier Park.
The 1:59.2 victory marked a maiden breaking win for the three-year-old daughter of Jailhouse Jesse-Karisma As and a career milestone for the 28-year-old driver.
Trained by Anette Lorentzon, Kayla As was able to take advantage of her rail position and held off all competitors to record her first win in just the first start of her three-year-old campaign. Owned by ACL Stuteri, Kayla As has now earned $3,720 lifetime.
“I was hoping to get it tonight but didn’t expect it,” Tetrick noted in the winner’s circle. “I wasn’t really focusing on the number, I just try to come out and win as many as I can every night. It feels good to have that one over with though. Now, it’s on to the next one.”
Born into a horse racing family, Tetrick grew up around horses and began his career on the southern Illinois county fair circuit. Harness racing has always been a family affair for Tetrick as his parents, Tom D. and Mary Alice, have operated a successful stable throughout the Midwest for many years. The Geff, Illinois native started his driving career in 2003 and has since surpassed the $28 million mark in purse earnings in the bike.
Tetrick recorded his first win at Hoosier Park in 2006 and has been a mainstay atop Hoosier Park’s leader board ever since. In 2008, Tetrick became the youngest driver or jockey to ever win a title at Hoosier Park after garnering 117 victories that season. Tetrick took home the leading driver title in 2014 and also earned a spot in Hoosier Park’s record books once again as he re-established the record for most wins in one season, a record that was previously held by Tony Morgan during the 1998 season with 262 victories.
Tetrick came into the 14-race card at Hoosier Park on Tuesday just three wins away from his milestone. He also found the winner’s circle with Saintfrancis and Flyaway Bumble Bee earlier on the card before reaching 3,000. Hoosier Park’s Vice President and General Manager, Rick Moore, along with Tetrick’s family and friends were in the winner’s circle to congratulate and acknowledge his accomplishment.
“On behalf of Hoosier Park Racing & Casino, I’d like to congratulate Trace on win number 3,000,” Moore noted. “Through his hard work and skill, Trace continues to be a great ambassador for the sport of harness racing. We are honoured to have him as part of our driving colony here at Hoosier Park. We wish Trace continued success for the remainder of this season and throughout his career.”
Tetrick currently leads all drivers for the 2015 season at Hoosier Park with 58 victories and nearly $400,000 in purse earnings through the first 30 days of live racing. Peter Wrenn currently holds the second spot with 46 trips to the winner’s circle.
(Hoosier Park)