TrackMaster^® HarnessPro Help Guide

Welcome to the TrackMaster HarnessPro handicapping help guide. Using the ratings and comparisons provided by TrackMaster can greatly enhance your handicapping. There are many exciting statistical insights just waiting to be explored while handicapping your favorite track. A race card contains all the information for one day's races at one track. Individual races are opened by clicking on them in the race list located on the opening screen or by choosing the race from the permanent sliding menu located at the top of every screen. Once inside a race the category menu bar shows all the different sections of handicapping information you can explore.

HarnessPro

The following help sections are available for this product:

Race Summary
Snapshot
Power
Speed/Class/Races
Pace
Driver
Trainer
Records/Earnings
Pedigree
Notes
Quick Picks
Special Features
Glossary

Race Summary

The race summary category has three sections to explore. The "Race List" is the very first screen you will see after downloading a race card. It presents a quick overview of all the races on today's card and has links to download printed past performance programs at no extra charge. The "Horse/Driver/Trainer List" section is an alphabetical index of all the participants on today's card. The "Post Stats" section takes a closer statistical look at the advantages and disadvantages of the post positions at today's track.

Race List

TrackMaster HarnessPro contains full past performances and an overview of all the races on today's card with the following columns of data:

Track - The official track abbreviation where the races are being held
Race - The number of the race on the card
Card - Designation for early or late in case of double headers
Distance - The length in miles of the race
Gait - The gait which the horses in this race will have to maintain (Typically trot or pace)
Class Rating - A statistical measure of the difficulty of today's race
Purse - The amount of money the horses compete for in this race (In local $)
Field Size - Number of horses entered into today's race
Warm Up - Saddle cloth colors worn by the horses in this race during their warm ups
Post Time - The scheduled time this race is supposed to be held (In local time)

As you move your mouse over each race in the list, over the race number in the sliding race menu at the top of the screen, and also after a race is opened, a race header section will appear with all the follow race info: (Race Number, Distance, Gait, Purse, Class Rating, Post Time, Race Wagers, Complete Race Conditions/Description)

Past Performance Programs - From this screen you have the ability to download complete past performances with full running lines in pdf format with no additional subscription required. We offer three different versions of the TrackMaster Platinum Past Performances for your convenience (Condensed, 12 Line & 12 Line Xtra) all available at no extra charge. Click here for descriptions, information and help regarding any of the pdf printed past performance programs.

Horse/Driver/Trainer List

TrackMaster HarnessPro contains an alphabetical listing of all horses, drivers and trainers along with their program numbers and the race number they are entered in. The information can be sorted by any of the following columns of data:

Horse - Name of the horse
Driver - Name of the driver
Trainer - Name of the trainer
Race - The number of the race on the card
Card - Designation for early or late in case of double headers
P# - This is the program number used to wager on the horse

Post Stats

TrackMaster HarnessPro contains detailed statistical information about how post positions at this track have done historically in the following 3 sub-categories. All stats are presented with the following columns of data: (Post Position, Starts, Win Index %, Return On Investment Index %)

Fast Track - Starts at today's track on a fast track condition over the last 365 days
Off Tracks - Starts at today's track on a track condition other than fast over the last 365 days
Last 30 Days - Starts at today's track on a track condition other than fast over the last 30 days

HarnessPro Handicapping Tip - Post position is a very important factor in harness racing. Horses drawn to outside posts are typically at a distinct disadvantage to horses inside of them, especially on small configuration tracks. However, it is not uncommon to find a middle post position the most advantageous, especially on larger configuration tracks.

Snapshot

The snapshot analysis category has three sections to explore. The "Quick Overview" is the very first screen you will see when you open up a race on the card. It presents an accumulation of some of the key information and stats found throughout the various categories. The "Driver/Trainer Overview" provides a quick look at the driver and trainer associated with the horse. The "Trouble/Layoff Overview" section provides a summarized analysis of a horse's propensity to get into trouble either by breaking stride or racing parked as well as a look at how horses perform after certain amounts of inactivity.

Quick Overview

TrackMaster HarnessPro contains a collection of some key pieces of handicapping information presented in the following columns of data:

P# - The program number used to wager on the horse
Horse - Name of the horse
PP - Post position the horse will start from
Post Win Index - Calculated post position win index percentage
Morn Line - Morning line odds and historical value indicator
Class Change - A designation of up or down when there is a difference of 5 class rating points or more from last race to today's race
Power - Exclusive power rating serves as an overall indicator of horse's strength
Avg CR - Average class rating over the last 10 races within the last 365 days
Avg SR - Average speed rating from the best 5 out of the last 10 races within the last 365 days
Pace - Composite pace figure
Days Off - Days since the horse's last start
Med - The medication being used by the horse in today's race
Equip - The equipment being used by the horse in today's race
Claim Price - Price for which the horse may be claimed out of this race
Last X Earnings - Total in earnings in last specific number of starts

Top Performers
Standouts in today's race are highlighted for the following statistics: Power (Highest rating), Avg CR (Highest average), Avg SR (Highest average)

Graphs
The following columns are available for graphing: Post Win Index %, Morning Line Odds, Power, Avg CR, Avg SR, Pace, Days Off, Last X Earnings

Driver/Trainer Overview

TrackMaster HarnessPro contains a quick look at some of the key driver and trainer specific stats and information presented in the following columns of data:

Driver - Name of today's driver
Trainer - Name of today's trainer
Driver UDR - Universal driver rating last 365 days at this track
Trainer UTR - Universal trainer rating last 365 days at this track
Driver/Trainer UDR - Universal rating for driver and trainer together last 365 days at this track
Last Claim Date - Date when horse was last claimed (not necessarily by today's trainer)
Last Claim Price - Price for which horse was last claimed
Last Claim From - Trainer from whom horse was last claimed

Top Performers
Standouts in today's race are highlighted for the following statistics: Driver UDR (Highest rating), Trainer UTR (Highest rating), Driver/Trainer UDR (Highest rating),

Graphs
The following columns are available for graphing: Driver UDR, Trainer UTR, Driver/Trainer UDR

Trouble/Layoff Overview

TrackMaster HarnessPro contains a summarized analysis of the tendencies of horses to get into trouble during a race as well as how they race coming back from various layoffs. All stats are calculated over the last 365 days at all tracks and are presented with the following columns of data:

Break Index - The measure of a horse's propensity to break stride in a race, calculation looks at last 10 starts
Park Index Overall - The measure of a horse's propensity to be parked during a race, calculation looks at the last 10 starts
Park Index 1Q -The measure of a horse's propensity to be parked at the 1st quarter of a race, calculation looks at the last 10 starts
Park Index 2Q - The measure of a horse's propensity to be parked at the 2nd quarter of a race, calculation looks at the last 10 starts
Park Index 3Q - The measure of a horse's propensity to be parked at the 3rd quarter of a race, calculation looks at the last 10 starts

HarnessPro Handicapping Tip - Trouble ratings for harness racing are a measure of a horse's propensity to get into trouble or overcome trouble in a race. The indexes look separately at breaks and parks. A break index of 50 means the horse breaks in 50% of its races. The park index looks at a horse’s past performance lines and assigns a park indicator value at each of the quarter calls of the race based on the severity of the park. Using a simple averaging formula an overall park index is calculated. The higher the park index the more ground a horse has lost while racing on the outside.

Off Short Layoff Starts - Number of starts after a layoff of 15-30 days
Off Short Layoff Win % - Winning percentage after a layoff of 15-30 days
Off Long Layoff Starts - Number of starts after a layoff of 30+ days
Off Long Layoff Win % - Winning percentage after a layoff of 30+ days

Top Performers
Standouts in today's race are highlighted for the following statistics: Break Index (Highest rating), Park Index Overall (Highest rating), Off Long Layoff Win % (Highest rate),

Graphs
The following columns are available for graphing: Break Index, Park Index Overall, Park Index 1Q, Park Index 2Q, Park Index 3Q, Off Short Layoff Starts, Off Short Layoff Win%, Off Long Layoff Starts, Off Long Layoff Win%

Power

The power rating analysis category shows the exclusive TrackMaster power ratings and provides the ability for you to create up to 5 different sets of your own custom power ratings using any of 15 various handicapping weights.

Custom Power Ratings

TrackMaster HarnessPro contains exclusive TrackMaster power ratings which have primary factors of speed, class, pace and post position. The weights assigned to each are different for each track, and are determined by what has been proven to win the most in the recent past. Using the components below, you can design up to five sets of your own custom power rating weights, name them and save them for future use.

TrackMaster Custom Power Rating Components
There are 15 factors that you can apply weights to when creating your own customized power ratings:

Speed - average speed ratings over the last 10 races
Class - average class ratings over the last 10 races
Pace - average composite pace ratings
Last Quarter Pace figure- average last quarter pace ratings
Fitness - races and results over the last 30 days
Break Index - propensity for breaking
Earnings Per Start - earnings per start across this year and last year
Wins/Starts - career win percentage
Off Track Record - includes career win and place percentage
Driver Win % - driver win percentage last 12 months
Driver ROI - driver return on investment last 12 months
Driver/Horse - win and place percentage last 12 months
Trainer Win % - trainer win percentage last 12 months
Trainer ROI - trainer return on investment last 12 months
Post ROI index - post return on investment last 12 months

To set the weights for the various handicapping factors just click into the appropriate box next to the name of the weight and type in the number you wish to assign to that factor. As you continue to set weights notice the total increase at the bottom of the box. The total weights must equal 100 in order to save and calculate power ratings. After setting all the weights just click on "Calc & Save" to store your setting and allow the custom power ratings to be computed and displayed. Your weights will be saved and will automatically be loaded in the power rating analysis section when opening future race cards. There are default names already set up for the custom power ratings. If you wish to create distinct names for your custom weights just type in the name you would like in the custom name box before clicking the "Calc & Save" button.

HarnessPro Handicapping Tip - If you play multiple tracks, you can store a custom setting for each particular track's biases (For example Meadowlands might get weighted more for speed and pace, while The Meadows might have more importance placed on the driver component). You might also find that specific settings work better for different track conditions, or races for young horses, or trot races...the combinations and conditions are endless. By assigning weights to a variety of handicapping factors you can create a track profile which will generate your own unique power ratings. TrackMaster HarnessPro saves your settings and lets you go back in and make adjustments as you determine what handicapping factors have become most important at your racetrack.

Graphs
All columns of power ratings are available for graphing

Speed/Class/Races

The speed/class/races analysis category has three sections to explore. The "Summary Stats" provides a quick, summarized look at speed ratings and class ratings. The "Last 5 Races" section allows you to compare recent performances of the horses in their last five starts. The "Last 5 Details" section provides an even closer detailed comparison of the last five starts, complete with links to result charts and race replays.

Summary Stats

TrackMaster HarnessPro contains basic summary statistics for the exclusive TrackMaster speed and class ratings with the following columns of data:

Avg CR - Average class rating over the last 10 races within the last 365 days
Avg SR - Average speed rating from the best 5 out of the last 10 races within the last 365 days
High SR - Single highest speed rating achieved over the last 10 races within the last 365 days

Top Performers
Standouts in today's race are highlighted for the following statistics: Avg CR (Highest average), Avg SR (Highest average), High SR (Highest rating)

Graphs
The following columns are available for graphing: Avg CR, Avg SR, High SR

Last 5 Races

TrackMaster HarnessPro contains a look at speed ratings, class ratings and finishing positions over the last five starts for each horse presented in the following columns of data from the least to most recent: (5R, 4R, 3R, 2R, LR)

Last 5 Class - Class ratings for the horse's last 5 starts (N/A means unable to calculate as in the case of a qualifier)
Last 5 Speed - Speed ratings for the last 5 starts (N/A means unable to calculate as in the case of a qualifier or failure to finish the race, SCR means the horse was scratched)
Last 5 Finishes - Finish positions for the horse's last 5 starts (SCR means the horse was scratched, DNF means the horse did not finish)

Top Performers
Standouts in today's race are highlighted for the following statistics: Speed - LR (Highest last race rating), Class - LR(Highest last race rating), Finish - LR (Best last race finish)

Graphs
In this section you have the ability to display each horse individually as a line on the graph for a look at the ratings over time

Last 5 Details

TrackMaster HarnessPro contains a detailed past performance like review of prior races in the following 5 sub-categories. All distances are shown in miles, all finish positions are official and the data is presented with the following columns of data: (Days Ago, Distance, CR, SR, Finish, *Result Chart, $Video Replay)

*Links to full race result charts with pay outs when available are free of charge
$Links to video race replays require additional product subscription

Last Race - Details for the most recent race
2nd Race Back - Details for the 2nd race back in history
3rd Race Back - Details for the 3rd race back in history
4th Race Back - Details for the 4th race back in history
5th Race Back - Details for the 5thrace back in history
Top Performers
Standouts in today's race are highlighted for the following statistics in each sub-category: CR (Highest rating), SR (Highest rating), Finish (Best finish)

Graphs
The following columns are available for graphing: Days Ago, CR, SR, Finish

Pace

The pace analysis category is designed to help determine the style in which and exactly how fast horses perform at designated stages of a race. This information is presented in two different sections called, "Pace Style & Figures". The pace style information computes the horse’s typical running position at each of the four calls of a race, while the pace figures information calculates fractional speed ratings for each of the segments of a race.

Pace Style & Figures

TrackMaster HarnessPro contains a pace style summary with the following columns of data:

1Q - Typical racing position from the start of the race to the first quarter

2Q - Typical racing position from the first quarter to the second quarter
3Q - Typical racing position from the second quarter to the third quarter
Finish - Typical racing position from the third quarter to the finish
Races - Number of races over the last 365 days at all tracks that went into the average calculation

HarnessPro Handicapping Tip - Pace style numbers are based on the idea that horses develop particular racing styles and usually stick to them. These numbers will allow you to develop a picture of the race: which horse is going to be on the lead, who sits off the pace and who makes the late move in the stretch. Post position is also has a big influence on determining pace, so the style calculations use average running positions along with adjustments for post.. Please note that the finish style number is not a prediction of finishing position. It should be used only to judge a horse’s ability to make up ground late in a race by relating the finish to the earlier calls.

Also remember that style numbers reflect a relative mathematical averaging of where a horse has raced historically. Comparing a low class horse with a high class horse that both have similar good early pace styles could be misleading. It is possible that the lower class horse may be able to race a similar style, but it is unlikely to be competitive. Using internal fractional times to produce fractional speed figures allows you to measure this ability. We call those fractional speed figures pace figures, and they take you to the next level and differentiate how two horses with similar style can also have very different ability. Pace styles and figures combined together is a powerful handicapping tool.

TrackMaster HarnessPro contains a pace figure summary with the following columns of data:

1Q - Average speed rating for the first fraction
2Q - Average speed rating for the second fraction
3Q - Average speed rating for the third fraction
4Q - Average speed rating for the final fraction
Composite - Average composite pace figure
Races - Number of races over the last 365 days at all tracks that went into the average calculation

HarnessPro Handicapping Tip - Pace handicapping involves predicting where horses will be and how well they will be performing at all stages of a race. Experts use the pace style and figures together to help determine whether a horse has a history of a front running, stalking or closing style and its ability to race that way. A horse with low pace styles in the 1Q column will be projected as a front runner, while a horse that shows high styles in the 1Q column and gradually lower styles through the later columns can be classified as a closer. With styles in hand, look at all the pace figures for each of the horses to see which are the fastest front runners, closers, etc. The pace figures are just speed ratings calculated for each fraction of a race. Each horse will get a pace figure for each fraction so long as the time and lengths back are recorded. With all that information together look at all the horses to project if a certain pace scenario will come up. For example, if there are multiple front runners in a race that all show fast early ability this might cause a speed duel and set things up for a horse with the best late pace figures and a closing style. Find this horse and you've found yourself a great wager!

Top Performers
Standouts in today's race are highlighted for the following statistics: Pace Style - Finish (Best finishing position), Pace Figures - Composite (Highest figure)

Graphs
The following columns are available for graphing: Pace Style - 1Q, Pace Style - 2Q, Pace Style - 3Q, Pace Style - Finish, Pace Figures - 1Q, Pace Figures - 2Q, Pace Figures - 3Q, Pace Figures - 4Q, Pace Figures - Composite

Composite Pace Figure

HarnessPro Handicapping Tip - The composite pace figure is a uniquely powerful weighted pace figure which includes a win-percentage based track profile. To develop this track profile TrackMaster periodically looks at thousands of past races at a given track by randomly assigning weights to the four individual fractional pace figures. The combination of weights that result in the highest win percentage will then be included in the formula which calculates the composite pace figure. This figure will point out horses whose pace figures are the strongest based on the track profile.

Here's an example of how to interpret the composite pace figure: Assume horse #1 has fractional pace figures at the four quarters of 70, 70, 80, 80 while horse #2 has similar numbers of 80, 80, 70, 70. A simple average pace figure would have them both equally rated at 75. Now assume both horses are racing at a typical half mile track where we have determined that more importance be placed on the early fractions. The weighting of the composite pace figure might come out with horse #1 as a 70 and horse #2 as an 80, quite the difference now and a clear advantage for horse #2.

Driver

The driver analysis category has four sections to explore. The "Summary Stats" provides a statistical look at the drivers across various time frames. The "Handicapping Stats" section looks at how the drivers perform with certain types of horses and situations. The "Combinations" section will take a closer look at how drivers, trainers and horses all perform when they partner together. The "Post Position" section will analyze how a driver has statistically performed when in the same post position as today.

Summary Stats

TrackMaster HarnessPro contains detailed driver statistics over various time periods in the following 4 sub-categories. All stats are presented with the following columns of data: (Starts, Win %, Place %, Show %, In-The-Money %, Return On Investment % and Universal Driver Rating)

Last 365 Days (this Track) - Today's track over the last year
Last 365 Days - All tracks over the last year
Last 30 Days - All tracks over the last month
Last 14 Days - All tracks over the last two weeks

Top Performers
Standouts in today's race are highlighted for the following statistics in each sub-category: Win % (Highest win rate), ROI% (Highest return on investment), UDR (Highest rating)

Graphs
The following columns are available for graphing: Starts, Win %, Place %, Show %, ITM %, ROI %, UDR

Handicapping Stats

TrackMaster HarnessPro contains detailed driver statistics with certain specific types of horses and when various handicapping angles occur in the following 10 sub-categories. All stats are calculated over the last 365 days at all tracks and are presented with the following columns of data: (Starts, Win %, Place %, Show %, In-The-Money %, Return On Investment % and Universal Driver Rating)

1st Start - Horses making their very first lifetime pari-mutuel start
2 Year Old - Horses racing at the age of 2
Post Time Favorite - Horses who went off as the betting favorite in the race
Low Odds - Horses that went off at odds of less than 5-1
High Odds - Horses that went off at odds of greater than or equal to 5-1
Low Class - Horses in a race with a class rating of less than 75
Medium Class - Horses in a race with a class rating of greater than or equal to 75 and less than or equal to 85
High Class - Horses in a race with a class rating of greater than 85
Trotters - All horse racing on the trotting gait
Pacers - All horse racing on the pacing gait

Combinations

TrackMaster HarnessPro contains detailed combination statistics about how well the driver, trainer and horse have partnered together in the past in the following 3 sub-categories. All stats are calculated over the last 365 days at all tracks and are presented with the following columns of data: (Starts, Win %, Place %, Show %, In-The-Money %, Return On Investment % and Universal Driver Rating)

Driver & Trainer - All the times today's driver and trainer have teamed up
Driver & Horse - All the times today's driver has been in the sulky with this horse
Trainer & Horse - All the times today's trainer has sent this horse out to race

Post Position

TrackMaster HarnessPro contains detailed driver post position statistics to analyze how drivers have done when racing from today’s post position in the following 3 sub-categories. All stats are calculated over the last 365 days and are presented with the following columns of data: (Post Position, Starts, Win Index %, Return On Investment Index %)

This Track - Starts out of this post position at today's track on a fast track condition
All Tracks - Starts out of this post position at all tracks on a fast track condition
Off Track - Starts out of this post position at all tracks on any track condition other than fast.

Top Performers
Standouts in today's race are highlighted for the following statistics: This Track - Win Index % (Highest win index), All Tracks - Win Index % (Highest win index), Off Track - Win Index % (Highest win index)

Graphs
The following columns are available for graphing: Starts, Win Index %, ROI Index %

Universal Driver Rating

HarnessPro Handicapping Tip - The Universal Driver Rating, abbreviated UDR is a great way to evaluate the ability of a driver. Much like a batting average in baseball, the rating is a statistical evaluation of how successful a driver has been with his drives. The UDR is a point based system where wins are given 9 points, seconds 5 points and thirds 3 points. The formula below is used to calculate a driver’s UDR.

(Wins x 9) + (Places x 5) + (Shows x 3) / (Starts x 9) = UDR

Trainer

The trainer analysis category has three sections to explore. The "Summary Stats" provides a detailed statistical look at the trainers across various time frames. The "Handicapping Stats" section looks at how the trainers perform with certain types of horses and situations. The "Combinations" section will take a closer look at how drivers, trainers and horses all perform when they partner together. The "Angles" section looks at how the trainers perform when certain scenarios, called handicapping angles, present themselves.

Summary Stats

TrackMaster HarnessPro contains detailed trainer statistics over various time periods in the following 4 sub-categories. All stats are presented with the following columns of data: (Starts, Win %, Place %, Show %, In-The-Money %, Return On Investment % and Universal Trainer Rating)

Last 365 Days (this Track) - Today's track over the last year
Last 365 Days - All tracks over the last year
Last 30 Days - All tracks over the last month
Last 14 Days - All tracks over the last two weeks

Top Performers
Standouts in today's race are highlighted for the following statistics in each sub-category: Win % (Highest win rate), ROI% (Highest return on investment), UTR (Highest rating)

Graphs
The following columns are available for graphing: Starts, Win %, Place %, Show %, ITM %, ROI %, UTR

Handicapping Stats

TrackMaster HarnessPro contains detailed trainer statistics with certain specific types of horses and when various handicapping angles occur in the following 10 sub-categories. All stats are calculated over the last 365 days at all tracks and are presented with the following columns of data: (Starts, Win %, Place %, Show %, In-The-Money %, Return On Investment % and Universal Trainer Rating)

1st Start - Horses making their very first lifetime pari-mutuel start
2 Year Old - Horses racing at the age of 2
Post Time Favorite - Horses who went off as the betting favorite in the race
Low Odds - Horses that went off at odds of less than 5-1
High Odds - Horses that went off at odds of greater than or equal to 5-1
Low Class - Horses in a race with a class rating of less than 75
Medium Class - Horses in a race with a class rating of greater than or equal to 75 and less than or equal to 85
High Class - Horses in a race with a class rating of greater than 85
Trotters - All horse racing on the trotting gait
Pacers - All horse racing on the pacing gait

Top Performers
Standouts in today's race are highlighted for the following statistics in each sub-category: Win % (Highest win rate), ROI% (Highest return on investment), UTR (Highest rating)

Graphs
The following columns are available for graphing: Starts, Win %, Place %, Show %, ITM %, ROI %, UTR

Combinations

Driver & Trainer - All the times today's driver and trainer have teamed up
Driver & Horse - All the times today's driver has been in the sulky with this horse
Trainer & Horse - All the times today's trainer has sent this horse out to race

Top Performers
Standouts in today's race are highlighted for the following statistics in each sub-category: Win % (Highest win rate), ROI% (Highest return on investment), UTR (Highest rating)

Graphs
The following columns are available for graphing: Starts, Win %, Place %, Show %, ITM %, ROI %, UTR

Angles

TrackMaster HarnessPro contains detailed trainer statistics with certain specific types of horses and when various handicapping angles occur in the following 5 sub-categories. All stats are calculated over the last 365 days at all tracks and are presented with the following columns of data: (Starts, Win %, Place %, Show %, In-The-Money %, Return On Investment % and Universal Trainer Rating)

Short Layoff - Horses in their first race back after a rest of 15-30 days
Long Layoff - Horses in their first race back after a rest of more than 30 days
Off Claim - Horses in their first race after being claimed
Up In Class - Horses moving up in class by two or more class rating points
Down In Class - Horses moving down in class by two or more class rating points

Top Performers
Standouts in today's race are highlighted for the following statistics in each sub-category: Win % (Highest win rate), ROI% (Highest return on investment), UTR (Highest rating)

Graphs
The following columns are available for graphing: Starts, Win %, Place %, Show %, ITM %, ROI %, UTR

Universal Trainer Rating

HarnessPro Handicapping Tip - The Universal Trainer Rating, abbreviated UTR is a great way to evaluate the ability of a trainer. Much like a batting average in baseball, the rating is a statistical evaluation of how successful a trainer has been with his starters. The UTR is a point based system where wins are given 9 points, seconds 5 points and thirds 3 points. The formula below is used to calculate a trainer’s UTR.

(Wins x 9) + (Places x 5) + (Shows x 3) / (Starts x 9) = UTR

Records/Earnings

The records/earnings analysis category has three sections to explore. The "All Tracks" section displays a horse’s performance record over certain periods of time at all tracks. The "This Track" section displays a horse’s performance record over certain periods of time at today's track only. The "Best Times" section highlights a horse's fastest lifetime marks over certain time periods and tracks.

All Tracks

TrackMaster HarnessPro contains detailed records and earnings for the following 5 sub-categories. All earnings are displayed in local currency, stats are calculated for all tracks the horse has raced at and presented with the following columns of data: (Starts, 1sts, 2nds, 3rds, Win %, Place %, Show %, In-The-Money %, Return On Investment %, Earnings, Earnings per start, *Pari-mutuel wins)

Lifetime - The horse's entire racing career
Off Track - Any track condition other than fast
This Year - This calendar year only
Last Year - Last calendar year only
Last 6 Races - The most recent 6 starts, excluding qualifiers or workouts

Top Performers
Standouts in today's race are highlighted for the following statistics in each sub-category: Earnings (Highest total $), EPS (Highest $ per start), Win % (Highest win rate)

Graphs
The following columns are available for graphing: Starts, 1sts, 2nds, 3rds, Win %, Place %, Show %, ITM %, ROI %, Earnings, EPS, *PM Wins

*Pari-mutuel wins shown for lifetime only. Useful in determining a horse's eligibility for certain races.

HarnessPro Handicapping Tip - Earnings per start is another great indicator of class. The earnings per start tells you on average how much money horses earn every time they race. Horses that have higher earnings per start are performing better at higher purse levels which also indicates a higher class level.

This Track

TrackMaster HarnessPro contains detailed records and earnings for the following 5 sub-categories. All earnings are displayed in local currency, stats are calculated for today's track only at and presented with the following columns of data: (Starts, 1sts, 2nds, 3rds, Win %, Place %, Show %, In-The-Money %, Return On Investment %, Earnings, Earnings per start)

Lifetime - The horse's entire racing career
Off Track - Any track condition other than fast
This Year - This calendar year only
Last Year - Last calendar year only
Last 6 Races - The most recent 6 starts, excluding qualifiers or workouts

Top Performers
Standouts in today's race are highlighted for the following statistics in each sub-category: Earnings (Highest total $), EPS (Highest $ per start), Win % (Highest win rate)

Graphs
The following columns are available for graphing: Starts, 1sts, 2nds, 3rds, Win %, Place %, Show %, ITM %, ROI %, Earnings, EPS

HarnessPro Handicapping Tip - Earnings per start is another great indicator of class. The earnings per start tells you on average how much money horses earn every time they race. Horses that have higher earnings per start are performing better at higher purse levels which also indicates a higher class level.

Best Times

TrackMaster HarnessPro contains a summary of a horse's fastest lifetime marks for the following 4 sub-categories. In order to qualify as a horse's lifetime mark, the race must be at a distance of one mile and the horse must have finished first. If the lifetime mark was achieved in a qualifier, a "Q" will appear after the horse's age at the time of the race.

Lifetime - The horse's entire racing career
This Track - At today's specific track
This Year - This calendar year only
Last Year - Last calendar year only

All best times are presented with the following columns of data:

Time - Displayed in fifths of a second
Track - Official track abbreviation
Size - Circumference of track (1/2, 5/8, 7/8, 1 mile, etc)
Age - How old the horse was when the time was recorded

Top Performers
Standouts in today's race are highlighted for the following statistics: Lifetime - Time(Best Time), This Track - Time (Best Time), This Year - Time (Best Time)

Graphs
The following columns are available for graphing: Lifetime - Time, This Track - Time, This Year - Time, Last Year - Time

Pedigree

The pedigree analysis category has three sections to explore. The "All Breeding" section gives details related to the horse's pedigree, as well as current owner, breeder and sale information. The "Sire Stats" section will go into detail on the historical performance of the sire's foals. The "Dam Stats" section will go into detail on the historical performance of the dam's foals.

Owner/Breeder

This section provides all the pedigree and ownership related information, or in other words a family history for the horse. It includes the following:

Sire – Father of the horse
Sire Location - State or province where the sire was registered during the horse's conception year ("-S" symbol indicates horse was locally sired)
Dam – Mother of the horse
Dam Location - State or province or foreign country where the horse was foaled
Dam Sire – Maternal grandfather of the horse
Color - The color of the horse (B-Bay, BR-Brown, CH-Chestnut, BLK-Black, RO-Roan, GR-Gray)
Sex - Sex of the horse at the time of race (C-Colt, G-Gelding, H-Horse, R-Ridgeling) or (F-Filly, M-Mare)
Age - How old the horse is at the time of race (Standardbreds are allowed to race from the ages of 2-14)
Yearling Price - The amount paid at a yearling sale for this horse
Stud Fee - The amount paid for the breeding services of this horse's sire
Owner - Name and place of residence of the horse's owner
Breeder - Name and place of residence of the horse's breeder
Last Sale - Details of the last time the horse was sold at auction including the name and date of the sale and the price for which the horse sold

Top Performers
Standouts in today's race are highlighted for the following statistics: Yearling Price (Highest $), Stud Fee (Highest $)

Graphs
The following columns are available for graphing: Yearling Price, Stud Fee

HarnessPro Handicapping Tip - Yearling price can also be another great indicator of class. The yearling price tells you how much the horse was purchased for at auction. At an early age when horses have few past performance lines, you can use this stat as an indicator of class. If a high price was paid at the yearling sale, you can bet the horse has a solid pedigree and was evaluated as having a very high potential.

Sire Stats

TrackMaster HarnessPro contains detailed sire statistics for the following 5 sub-categories. All of the stats are calculated over the last 365 days at all tracks and are presented with the following columns of data: (Starts, Win %, Place %, Show %, In-The-Money % and Return On Investment %)

All Foals - Foals out of this particular sire
Two Year Olds - Foals racing at the age of 2
1st Time Starters - Foals making their very first lifetime pari-mutuel start
High Class Starters - Foal in races that have a class rating greater than 85
Off Track - Foals in races on any track condition other than fast

Top Performers
Standouts in today's race are highlighted for the following statistics in each sub-category: Win % (Highest win rate), ITM % (Highest in the money rate), ROI% (Highest return on investment)

Graphs
The following columns are available for graphing: Starts, Win %, Place %, Show %, ITM %, ROI %

Dam Stats

TrackMaster HarnessPro contains detailed dam statistics for the following 5 sub-categories. All of the stats are calculated over the last 365 days at all tracks and are presented with the following columns of data: (Starts, Win %, Place %, Show %, In-The-Money % and Return On Investment %)

All Foals - Foals out of this particular dam
Two Year Olds - Foals racing at the age of 2
1st Time Starters - Foals making their very first lifetime pari-mutuel start
High Class Starters - Foal in races that have a class rating greater than 85
Off Track - Foals in races on any surface other than fast

Notes

The notes analysis category allows you to enter in personal comments for each race and horse on the card. Notes for races are saved only for the current track and date, while notes for horses are archived by track, date and race for future reference. You may have up to 10 saved notes for each horse.

Entering/Saving Notes

To enter notes for a horse, simply type your comments in the text box provided next to the horse name. There is a maximum of 150 characters for each horse note. To enter notes for a race, simply type your comments in the text area provided at the bottom of all the horses. There is a maximum of 300 characters for race notes. When you are finished typing, always remember to click the "Save all notes" button to store all the comments you have entered for later viewing.

Viewing Notes

As you switch between races or categories, any comments you have already entered and saved related to today's card will be displayed automatically. If you do not have any prior saved notes for a horse, the button will say "None" and remain inactive. If there are prior saved notes for a horse, the button will say "View Notes" and become active. When you click the button, a separate screen lists all the notes for a horse with the most recent on top. Click the "Close X" link in the top right corner to return to the main notes section.

Deleting Notes

When you click the "View Notes" button all previously saved notes for a particular horse are listed, up to 10 in total. To delete any one particular note, just click the red "X" located on the far left at the beginning of the note. A message will confirm your choice to delete.

Quick Picks

The quick picks section provides basic win, place, show and exotic selections based on risk preferences.

Handicapping involves studying previous race information in order to predict the likely outcome of a race today. Experienced handicappers will enjoy analyzing all the information found in TrackMaster HarnessPro. If you would rather not spend the effort to handicap, but still like a calculated approach to your wagering, feel confident in the expert recommendations we've provided. The selections are all based on scientific analysis of previous races and modeled after the methods used by top handicappers.

Wagering Recommendations

Our recommended quick picks only touch on the basics of wagering explained below. Select the wager that's right for you based on the amount of money you're willing to invest and the amount of risk you're willing to take. Play it safe or take a shot at a big score, the choice is yours.

STRAIGHT BETS - When you bet on a horse to Win, Place or Show you are making a "straight bet". The minimum for these types of wagers is generally $2. However, if you are feeling confident in your choice you have the ability to increase that amount to any level you wish. One common wagering technique is to bet a horse to Win, Place and Show. This is known as betting "across the board" and it's actually three separate bets with a total cost of three times your base amount.

EXOTIC BETS - Exactas, Trifectas and all other wagers are considered "exotic bets". The minimum for these types of wagers is generally $1. The main difference with exotic bets is that you are playing "combinations" of horses instead of just a single horse. When you play multiple combinations of horses in a single bet this is called "boxing" your wager. The more horses you include in an exotic bet box the better chance you have of hitting a winner, but the higher the cost of the ticket.

With an exacta, you must pick the horses that will finish 1st and 2nd in a race. An exacta box consisting of 2 horses carries a cost of $2, 3 horses and the price is $6, 4 horses and the price is $12. With a trifecta, you must pick the horses that will finish 1st, 2nd and 3rd in a race. A trifecta box consisting of 3 horses carries a cost of $6, 4 horses and the price is $24, 5 horses and the price is $60.

Always remember, sometimes it is not profitable to play too many horses in a box because the amount that it costs you may be more than the amount of the payoff. In order to assure this doesn't happen too often make sure you are including a couple long shots in your wagers and avoid playing all the favorites in a race on a single ticket.

Special Features

TrackMaster HarnessPro gives you a wealth of enhanced handicapping information not found in other programs. Along with a series of performance ratings you will find a wide range of categories of information and organizational tools to help make handicapping the races fast and efficient.

Performance Ratings

TrackMaster eases your handicapping by providing the following several key performance ratings for all the horses in a race:

Speed Ratings - reflect how fast the horse has been performing in races
Class Ratings - reflect the quality of the races in which the horse has raced
Pace Ratings - reflects how the stages of the race are likely to be contested
Power Ratings - reflects an overall indicator of speed, class pace, post position and other factors

Sorting

TrackMaster HarnessPro allows you to sort all columns of information in the data tables to help identify the horses with the highest or lowest values. You can sort columns either ascending or descending. Click the column header to sort in the default direction, or click the column header a second time to sort in the opposite direction.

Printing

Clicking on the print icon found at the top of each data table will print out the category of information currently on the screen. If you have columns sorted it will print them in that sorted order. You can only print out the individual that is currently open.

Top Performers

Standouts in today's race are highlighted for many statistics in virtually all sub-categories of each handicapping section. You will see the program number as well as the name of the horse, driver or trainer that has been chose as a top performer along with the specific stat that earned them this honor.

Graphs

Many columns/rows of information can be viewed in a graphical format. Select the column/row of information you want to graph by clicking on the button at the end of the column/row. The graph up above the data table will automatically change. Place your mouse over the data on the graphs for more details.

Glossary

Speed Ratings

Speed ratings (abbreviated SR) are extremely valuable for comparing horses past races in order to help determine who might be the fastest for today's race. Horses that raced identical times can have speed ratings differ greatly because of when and where they were raced. The purpose behind the speed rating is to normalize a horse's finishing time across all different tracks and conditions using a complex mathematical formula. The numbers generally range between 0 and 100, with 100 being an extremely high (fast) figure. Speed ratings allow us to analyze a horse's particular performance in a race simply and easily, without having to worry about which size track the time was run at, or what the condition of the track was during the race, or in some cases even the distance of the race itself.

In computing a horse's speed rating, four separate factors are combined.

1.) The first component is the raw speed rating. This number is a direct conversion of the horse's finishing time and the distance of the race using our computer modeled formula.

2.) The raw speed rating is then modified with an Inter-Track Variant (ITV), a number that allows for the speed variations between tracks. To determine the fundamental speed differentials between the various size tracks we analyze horses that have shipped to and from various racetracks throughout the year.

3.) The third adjustment to the raw speed rating is the Daily Track Variant (DTV). This compensates for things such as a sloppy track or other day-to-day factors affecting the track condition. This can even vary between races as conditions change.

4.) The fourth and final adjustment to the resulting speed rating is the post position adjustment factor. This takes into account the positive or negative effects post has on the horse's overall race performance. This would make it possible to see a horse finish 2nd and have a higher speed rating that the horse who won.

All four of these factors combined together produce a single number called the final speed rating. Now with this single number you are able to compare a horse's performance no matter where it raced. This lets you easily analyze a horse making its first start at a track or changing class dramatically. Never be misled again by using final times as your guide.

Class Ratings

Class ratings (abbreviated CR) are designed to reflect the difficulty of a race. Class ratings are provided for each and every race on today's card, and the last five class ratings are shown for each horse, along with an average class rating. Class ratings go hand in hand with the speed ratings. Just as a horse receives a speed rating for its performance in a race, the race itself receives a class rating to measure the strength of the field. The class rating for a race is made up of a weighted average of the previous speed ratings from the horses entered in that race. The number is a projection of what the expected winning speed rating would be for that particular race.

The calculation of class ratings uses the normalizing factor of speed ratings so that you can compare class ratings between races at different tracks. An 80 at Freehold is equivalent to an 80 at Pompano Park and an 80 at Dover Downs. A horse that has been successful in races with a CR of 90 at the Meadowlands should be competitive in a race with a CR of 90 at Yonkers. An invitational race might have a class rating of 100 while a lower level claiming race might have a CR of 70. By comparing the CR of today's race and the CR for each horse's recent races you will know if the horse is moving up or down in class. A difference of 5 points in either direction indicates a notable change in class. There is an age adjusted class rating to normalize class movement solely based on age. This eliminates situations where a horse is moving up in class, but really is moving up in class because he has just aged a year.

Pace Ratings

There are two different pace ratings, style and figures:

Style gives you a quick look at how a race may be run. That means which horses prefer to run in front early in a race, which ones typically make middle moves and which ones come from behind. This is useful in anticipating early speed duels, or any other scenarios which might significantly affect the character of a race.

The pace style analyzes the horse's positions at four stages in the race: 1st quarter, 2nd quarter, 3rd Quarter and Finish.

By averaging the positions during those stages over past races, the pace styles give a number indicating where that horse usually is. If a horse shows a 1.5 for the 1Q that means this horse typically races in front (between first and second) early in a race. Another horse might show a 6.8 for the 1Q, meaning it tends to race towards the rear (between sixth or seventh) early in a race. By comparing the early fractional styles to the later ones, you can get an idea of which horses consistently race in front and which come from behind.

Figures shows how fast a horse has raced at different fractions of the race. These figures are computed using the same principal used in creating speed ratings.

Based on the horse's actual time and other conditions, such as track condition, these figures allow you to compare a horse's performance at different points of call to see which are considered the fastest. The pace figures are also adjusted for different tracks, so a fractional rating of 85 at Maywood would be identical to an 85 at Pompano Park.

Power Ratings

Quite possibly the most powerful number in all of harness racing is the TrackMaster power rating. TrackMaster developed its power ratings to make handicapping quick and easy. The power rating is a single number assigned to each and every horse in a race whenever there is enough information to do so. The power rating can be thought of as an overall indicator of a horse's potential profitability, combining the components of speed, class, pace and several other handicapping factors. Furthermore, the relative weighting of these factors is different for each track, and is determined by what has been winning in the recent past at each track.

The power rating includes some of the following key handicapping angles: Averages of both the best 5 speed and class ratings in the last 10 races, the composite pace figure, post position, driver, trainer and fitness or how well the horse has been doing lately. However, it is equally important to understand what is NOT reflected in the power ratings: Bad trips, troubled races, equipment, medication, and today's track condition are all not factored in to this single number but are still very important to analyze in your secondary handicapping processes. Power ratings were designed to ease the handicapping burden. For the bettor that has no more than a few minutes to look at a race, then betting the highest power rating in the race might be called for. However, this is not recommended as the best way to play the races. Power ratings are great for identifying possible contenders in the race quickly and easily.

Historical Value Indicator

The symbol next to the morning line odds (+, L, B) allows quick identification of those situations that have historically shown to produce a positive long-term profit. All calculations use the morning line to approximate post time odds.

A + symbol next to the morning line odds means that the power rating margin table displays a positive historical profit. This table indicates previous profit based on both post time odds and the power rating difference between the two top power rated horses.

The L symbol notes a potentially valuable long shot play based on computer analysis of various angles that have produced long term positive profits. Remember to check the post time odds, if the horse is significantly bet down, it may not qualify as an L play anymore.

The B symbol means both + and L conditions apply. When using these symbols remember that they are based on a historical look at the success of power ratings under specific conditions. History may not repeat itself. As always, we do not recommend using power ratings alone. Though it is believed that power ratings reflect key statistics, you should use them in combination with the rest of the information available.

Win Index %

The Win Index can be positive or negative and represents the number of percent above or below an "expected" win percentage. If all things were equal, in 100 typical races with 10-horse fields, any post position would be expected to win 10 times. If one particular post actually won 13 times, it would have won 30% more than expected resulting in an index of +30. If in this same situation a post only won 5 times, the index would be –50. It is simply a measure of the relative win probability of a particular post position.

ROI Index %

The ROI Index can be positive or negative and represents the number of percent above or below a "bet all" wagered return on investment percentage. A typical “bet all” ROI might be -25% If a particular post position has a –20.0% ROI associated with it, then it will receive an index of +5 because it is 5 percentage points better. In this example, you would lose $5 less on every $100 bet versus "bet all". It is simply a measure of the relative profitability of a particular post position.

Medication

Blank (Off Lasix in today's race and also in last race)
1L (On Lasix for the first time ever)
2L (On Lasix for the 2nd time eve and also in last race)
L (On Lasix in today's race and also in last race)
+L (On Lasix in today's race but not in last race)
L- (On Lasix in the last race but not in today's race)

Equipment

Hopples are the straps that connect the front and rear legs on the same side of a horse. Most pacers wear hopples as standard equipment to help balance their stride and maintain a pacing gait. Trotters do not usually wear hopples and so when they do it is noted in the equipment section as follows:

Blank (Not wearing hopples in today's race, nor in last race)
1H (Wearing hopples for the first time ever)
2H (Wearing hopples for the 2nd time ever and also in last race)
H (Wearing hopples today and also in last race)
+H (Wearing hopples in today's race but not in last race)
H- (Wore hopples in last race but not in today's race)

A pacer or trotter that races without wearing hopples to help maintain its gait is known as racing free legged. Trotters do not usually need to wear hopples as standard equipment to maintain their gait. Most pacers wear hopples as standard equipment to help balance their stride and maintain a pacing gait so when they race free legged it is noted in the equipment section as follows:

Blank (Not racing free legged in today's race, nor in last race)
1F (Racing free legged for the first time ever)
2F (Racing free legged for the 2nd time ever and also in last race)
F (Racing free legged in today's race and also in last race)
+F (Racing free legged in today's race but not in last race)
F- (Racing free legged in last race but not in today's race)

Trotter

Trotters race with a diagonal motion. When the left front leg is forward the right rear leg is forward, while at the same time the right front leg is back the left rear leg is back.

Pacer

Pacers race with a lateral motion. Their right front and right rear legs move in the same direction, either (forward or backward, at the same time.

Break

A break is when a horse goes off stride and "breaks" into a gallop. Fatigue is often a leading cause for horses breaking. However, horses will often break if interfered with or have equipment failure.

Parked

The term parked describes a horse racing off the rail, on the outside of one or more horses for an extended time. Horses racing "parked" or "3 wide" will lose more ground and be adversely affected by it.