Columbus, OH – As part of the rollout of graded and restricted race designations highlighting the sport’s top-tier events, the U.S. Trotting Association has introduced a redesigned race program page, distributed to U.S. tracks earlier this week.
This release represents the first phase of a broader initiative to expand and modernize the Association’s racing data infrastructure.
Among the most noticeable updates is a smaller head number, creating additional space within the past performance section. This adjustment enables the inclusion of graded designations at the end of the coded class and establishes flexibility for future enhancements, including expanded chart line detail and the planned addition of “shoes off” information beginning in January 2027.
To see the new “Key to Reading the Past Performance Line” page, click here.
Additional updates include the repositioning of saddle pad color and odds, relocation of the claiming price beneath the horse’s name (now aligned with money earned in recent starts and the TrackMaster rating), and placement of the yearling sale price alongside the breeder’s name.
It is worth noting that no program information has been removed as part of this redesign; all existing data remains intact and has been reorganized to improve clarity, consistency, and usability.
As the first deployment of these expanded data elements, the race program update will serve as the foundation for subsequent integration into USTA Pathway and other statistical platforms maintained by the Association.
As the industry continues to request and rely upon the USTA for more detailed performance and analytical data, we will work to incorporate those additional elements into our reporting systems. In doing so, this progression will necessarily require periodic adjustments to existing format and layouts.
It is important to recognize that while changes to familiar formats may not always be immediately welcomed, they are a direct result of adding meaningful new data elements, which has been industry driven. As additional information is incorporated, corresponding adjustments to layout and presentation are required to ensure clarity and usability are maintained and we pledge to keep you informed of such changes as they occur.
The USTA appreciates the cooperation and understanding of our members and industry partners as these enhancements are introduced in support of a more data-rich and forward-looking future for the harness racing industry.