Harness Racing: The Other Horse Race

If Thoroughbred racing is the sport of kings then harness racing is the sport of the commoner. Like NASCAR, harness racing made its way from backroad drag races to regulated sporting events held on dedicated tracks with accommodations for horses, trainers, owners, drivers and fans. This evolution occurred largely at county fairs where harness racing garnered much of its popularity. According to the US Trotting Association, by the late 1800s, this was the most popular pastime in America.

In 1849 a colt was born that would shape the future of all harness racing. The thrice-inbred grandson of a Thoroughbred named Messenger, Hambletonian 10 would sire over 1,000 foals during his career and almost single handedly father an entire breed. From his first appearance at six months of age, at the Orange County Fair in Goshen, NY, Hanbletonian was quite a sensation. He became known for his speed and was eagerly sought after at stud. While Hambletonian never actually raced, in 1852 he beat his nearest rival in a time trial by 7 ½ seconds. Offspring of Hambletonian 10 would form the nucleus of a breed called the Standardbred (so named for the original standard of time a horse had to be able to run one mile in order to be registered in the breed) which are the preferred harness racers today.

Standardbreds are a docile breed, and while they are still predominantly used as race horses they do well in most equine sports. While generally bay or brown, Standardbreds come in all colors. They average about 15 or 16 hands and are more generously muscled then their thoroughbred cousins.

While the horse and buggy has long since gone out of style, Standardbreds still race while hitched to a small, two wheeled cart called a sulky. They do not gallop, but rather trot or pace around a track for a distance that is usually equal to one mile. Trotting is the natural middle gait of a horse. When trotting opposite front and hind legs move back and forth in unison. Pacing on the other hand involves moving front and hind legs on the same side of the body back and forth in unison. Tortters and pacers are raced separately with pacing being the faster and more popular of the two gaits.

At the beginning of most harness races the horses will begin by trotting or pacing relatively slowly behind a mobile starting gate (a vehicle with long, hinged arms attached to it). The gate pulls away upon reaching the starting line, allowing the horses to pick up speed and jockey for position. If at any time during a race one of the horses begins to canter or gallop he must be returned to proper form or face disqualification.

Harness races are held year round in the United States and are available to all levels of owners, trainer, drivers and horses. Rules, licensing and general administration of the races are governed by the US Trotting Association. Each year a championship series, called a Triple Crown, is held for each of the two racing types. Trotters run in the Yonkers Trot, the Hambletonian, and the Kentucky Futurity. Meanwhile, pacers run in the Cane Pace, the Little Brown Jug, and the Messenger. Purses for these races can soar into the hundreds of thousands, even millions of dollars.

For more information check out the US Trotting Association at www.ustrotting.com or the Harness Racing Museum and Hall of Fame at www.harnessmuseum.com.

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