Harrah's Hoosier Park: Tetrick, George honored on closing night for 2020

Harrah's Hoosier Park Racing & Casino closed the curtain on its 27th season of live harness racing on Saturday, November 21. In conjunction with a dynamic 14-race card, the leading driver and leading trainer honors were awarded. Driver Trace Tetrick took home his ninth leading driver title, and trainer Tyler George broke through a competitive group to take home his first title.

Tetrick seemed to have his sights set on the leading driver honors as soon as the 2020 meet kicked off, spending the rest of the season bolstering his lead on his competitors to earn 273 seasonal wins in his 1,311 starts. As it has been in seasons' past, the top three drivers consisted of Tetrick, Sam Widger and John DeLong. Widger held the silver title with 165 wins from 1,202 starts, while DeLong took third with 145 wins from 1,096 starts.

Taking home his seventh consecutive leading driver title, Tetrick currently resides in fifth-place for top drivers nationwide with his 386 trips to the winner's circle this season. Since 2008, the Illinois native has continually earned over $2 million a season, contributing to lifetime earnings of $61,086,842. Tetrick has driven three Breeders Crown victors, sitting behind Freaky Feet Pete in 2015, as well as Blazin Britches and Fiftydallarbill in 2017.

"Getting to come in and drive great horses for great trainers and owners makes my job fun," Tetrick chuckled in the winner's circle. "I just remember that every night's a new night, and it's important to come back fresh the next day. It's a privilege to get to race here in such a great environment."

When asked what goals he has set for himself, he responded, "I am already looking toward that 10th title."

In years past, Jamie Macomber and Jeff Cullipher owned the battle for the leading trainer title, but after a hallmark season, Tyler George bested the two with his 70 wins from 233 starts. Macomber and Cullipher tied for second with 60 wins each.

While George has been training since 2004, he began consistently bringing in over $1 million in yearly earnings in 2016. The Ohio native is no stranger to the Indiana Sires Stakes circuit, training horses like Golden Paradise and Always A Prince. While 2020's earnings sat just under 1 million at $932,957, George has had a standout year earning a 30 percent win clip, as well as recording his 1,000th training win at Hoosier Park in September.

"I feel like this is such an accomplishment," George noted. "This is a very competitive track to race, so I'm grateful to have such a great team who puts all their time and effort into the game. I'm very proud to have earned this title."

Harrah's Hoosier Park Racing & Casino would like to thank all of the fans, bettors, and horsemen who helped make the 2020 season at Hoosier Park an overwhelming success.

--press release (Harrah's Hoosier Park)--