Will Trace Tetrick be the next superstar from his family?

Monday, April 30, 2007 - by Rich Fisher, USTA Web Newsroom Senior Correspondent

Don't look now, but little brother is starting to grow up and stand tall.

The youngest in the family of three harness racing brothers, Trace Tetrick's biggest claim to fame prior to this year was being Tim Tetrick's younger brother.

Tim, of course, is the youngest driver to win 2,000 races and is on track to become the youngest to win 3,000. He is also on pace to challenge the all-time record of 1,077 wins in a season.

"Tim casts a very big shadow," Trace said. "It's hard to compete with what he's done. People talk about him and that's great. Tim's always wanted to be the big driver and he's done well at it, I'm happy for him."

However, this season, Trace seems to be making a name for himself.

"I think I might be," he said. "We all know what we're good at and what we can excel at."

In his first 557 starts this season, the 20-year-old won 58 races, finished second 56 times and third 67. He won $354,926 during that time. He is third in the driver standings at Hoosier Park, where he races in addition to the Chicago circuit.

"I've been real fortunate, I've picked up some really nice horses," Trace said. "I got to drive with some really nice people and pick up some class horses to drive."

Trace also drives horses he trains, which is part of the package when you are born a Tetrick.

Tom D. Tetrick is the patriarch of the clan, and currently oversees an Illinois farm operation that totals around 35 head. His oldest son, Tom Tyler, along with Tim, Trace and wife Mary Alice, are all part of the crew, and Tom T. trains 20 horses at his own farm.

"Harness racing has been part of all three of my boys' lives from the word go," said Tom D., himself the winner of 1,227 races as a driver. "It's always, absolutely been a family deal. Trace has just been following up in my footsteps and his brothers' footsteps.

"Tom T. also races. I think they're all unique in their driving. They all have unique abilities. Physically, Tim and Trace are nearly the same size (5-foot-10), Tom's about 6-4."

And Trace assures that his family has obviously made the biggest impression on his life and career.

"Of course," he said. "My brothers have made a big impact. Everybody excels a little more at one thing than another. 'T' is a very good horseman, Tim has the best driving ability out of all of us; it just comes naturally with him. We have to find some spots where I can be successful in what I can do. Maybe not be the best, but be strong at it.

"My goal is just to become a more competitive driver on a nightly basis. We all call and ask each other questions. You can never get too old to learn something. There's always something new coming out, or something different to try, and there's always two or three answers to one question. There's always a way to do it, and we help each other figure it out."

Trace began riding a pony at an age too early for him to remember. He started driving matinee races at age 14 and began training horses at 16.

"I like to do both, but I think I like driving a little better," Trace said. "Training is all part of the process in the sport. If trainers weren't there, we wouldn't have any horses to drive. A driver is just as good as the horse he gets."

Trace feels it's an advantage to drive horses he's trained.

"You feel like when you've trained them, you have a little bit bigger bullet in the gun, because you know what you've got and when you can use it," Trace said. "Every week, you know how your horse will do, you know he's trained up good and he has something left."

Tom D. feels that Trace has a natural ability as a trainer, which has been apparent all his life.

"Trace is just very gifted with animals," said his dad. "He's ridden ponies from the word go. Trace, T and Tim have all been jogging horses since they've been old enough to do it."

As for his driving ability, Trace tries to remain relaxed when he's on the track.

"I like to think I'm somewhat patient," he said. "At least I try to be. Sometimes it doesn't work out. But patience is a big key, that's what I try to keep at. I want to make sure there's always a little bit left in the horse for the next week."

Whatever he has been doing this year has been working out. His efforts have not been lost on the old man.

"I think Trace is really stepping up," Tom D. said. "I think he's always been a talented horseman, understands a horse well, gets along with a horse. His driving abilities are progressing very rapidly.

"He is helped by his brothers. They all help each other. I think we all work together and all talk about things all the time, just to watch and learn from one another. We all have roles to play in the deal. I don't feel like there's any jealousy at all. Trace has some of Tim's horses to race, and T has five of Tim's yearlings training down here. We all just kind of share in the responsibility to make the whole thing work."

But when it comes to the most important cog in the Team Tetrick machine, don't look at the men.

"My mom is the backbone of this operation," Trace said. "She's helped us through everything; she's in the barn every day. She can do it all."

So, too, can her sons, as witnessed by the progress of her youngest this season.

Source: USTA Web site (04-30-07)