Harness racing in which the jockey rides behind his horse in a small two-wheeled cart is the first American sport that was successfully commercialized, though baseball challenged its position as the No. 1 spectator sport following the Civil War. The sport started as informal road contests, but creation of the National Trotting Association in 1870 brought standardized rules to the sport. The U.S. Trotting Association, which in 1939 melded the NTA with two other trotting organizations that had cropped up, is the governing body for the sport of harness racing in the United States. Major raceways for the sport exit across the country, from New York and Miami to Los Angeles and Portland, Oregon.
Starting
Horses are brought to the starting gate at the beginning of the race, which is no nearer than 1/8 mile to the start line. The rules then specify speed upon starting. The minimum for the first 1/8 mile is 11 mph. For the next 1/16 mile the minimum is 18 mph, and from there to the starting point speed is gradually increased to maximum speed. The starting point must be clearly marked and cannot be less than 200 feet from the first turn, according to USTA rules. When a speed is reached during the course of a start, rules specify no decrease in speed is allowed unless there is a recall. Recalls occur if a horse is ahead of the gate, a horse has broken equipment, there is interference, the starting gate malfunctions, a horse falls before the "go" is given, or a horse comes to the gait out of position.
Position
Horses that win a heat take the inside track or "pole" position. The other horses take their places according to where they finished in the previous heat. If two or more horses ended in a dead heat, their positions are determined settled by lot. Any horse that comes out of position to gain an unfair advantage before the "go" can be disqualified, state USTA rules.
Colors
Drivers are required to wear distinguishing colors on top along with clean white pants. Drivers who are not properly dressed are not allowed to start. Drivers also must wear a protective helmet that matches their colors. Driving colors must be registered with USTA. Drivers are allowed to display company logos, but these must be in good taste as determined by judges who rule upon whether a driver is properly dressed, according to USTA rules.
Violations
During a race, drivers cannot change track position if another horse is near enough that the change will make the horse shorten its stride or cause the driver to pull the horse out of its stride. It's also illegal to strike, jostle, hook wheels or interfere with another horse or driver, cross sharply in front of a horse in a reckless way, swerved out and in or pull up quickly, or crowd another horse or driver. Helping another horse to improve its position by allowing an inside pass unnecessarily is also a violation. Penalties range from setting a horse back one or more positions to disqualification.
Whips
Drivers can use whips that are up to 4 feet long, plus snappers that are up to 6 inches long. Whipping that causes injury to a horse is disallowed, as is whipping a horse after a race's finish. Using any other goading device is a violation of the rules. Violations result in a fine and possible suspension.
Breaking
When a horse breaks from its gait during trotting or pacing, the driver immediately, where clearance exists, takes the horse to the outside and pull it to its gait. If a horse makes a break that causes interference to other horses it may be placed behind all of the offended horses. Judges can set any horse back one or more places if it has a violation.
Track Rules
Whenever wagering is allowed, a photo finish, head numbers and a starting gate are required. A breath analyzer device also must be on site. Starters, drivers and marshals have to take a breath analyzer test. If a driver has a reading of more than 0.05 percent alcohol in the blood, the driver is not allowed to race and USTA will conduct an investigation.
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