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Equibase Adds GPS Data to Charts

Equibase Company will add data generated from global positioning satellite (GPS) systems to result charts. During a race, the GPS system collects a comprehensive data set every half second for every horse in the race. Found next to the traditional result charts for each track utilizing the automated tracking technology, the GPS-enabled charts will show this data at the traditional points of call, as well as at one-sixteenth-mile intervals. Data such as each horse's sectional and cumulative time, average speed, number of strides, average stride length, and average strides per second will also be included.

“After many years of evaluating GPS to deliver expanded data, Equibase is pleased to be successfully leveraging this technology for racing,” said Sal Sinatra, Equibase's president and COO. “GPS technology provides comprehensive data for each horse during the entire running of a race and we are excited to now be able to provide this rich data on the website.”

Equibase has GPS systems in place at a number of tracks, including Canterbury Park, Colonial Downs, Del Mar, Golden Gate Fields, Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course, Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course, Kentucky Downs, Laurel Park, Monmouth Park, Oaklawn Park, Pimlico, Sam Houston, Tampa Bay Downs, and Woodbine Racetrack.

The data collected by GPS can also be used to drive on-screen graphics with a number of the tracks already utilizing the technology. In addition, several other tracks use the GPS data feed to depict graphics through a third-party vendor.

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Can An App Tell You A Horse’s Optimal Running Style? Study Suggests It’s Possible

A recent study has left researchers with data that could change the way racehorses are trained all around the world. According to Science Magazine, authors of a new study believe that their approach could be used to identify customized pacing plans that could optimize individual horses' chances of winning.

Dr. Amandine Aftalion, a mathematician at the School for Advanced Studies in the Social Sciences in Paris, has been analyzing the performance of world champion runners since 2013. Together with colleague Quentin Mercier she recently decided to try to apply her research methods to racehorses through the use of a new GPS tracking tool embedded in French racing saddles. These GPS trackers are typically used for fans, but ended up giving Aftalion and Mercier access to valuable speed and position data during races at the Chantilly racetracks north of Paris.

Aftalion and Mercier were able to use the GPS tracking technology to quantify the success of running styles from dozens of races at Chantilly to see if one racing style was more effective than others. Afterwards the two researchers were able to develop a model for different winning strategies for three specific race distances – 1,300 meters, 1,900 meters, and 2,100 meters. Aftalion and Mercier came to the conclusion that the most success came from a quick start followed by a more relaxed speed until the closing kick. Different cruising or closing speeds have different aerobic requirements of a horse, which could explain why one style is easier for one individual going a particular distance. In theory, this model could allow trainers to plug in certain information about their horses to get custom racing strategies that best fit that horse's aerobic capabilities.

At first glance, this seems like a great expansion of technology into a very traditional part of the sport. However, Dr. Peter Knight, a veterinarian at the University of Sydney, pointed out that trainers may be slow to adopt such a statistical model, as these models can not account for every horse's unique behavior. At the end of the day, horses are still living animals with a mind of their own that can be rather unpredictable sometimes. These results could also vary amongst different countries the same way typical racing styles do.

“We can't truly model performance,” Knight said to Science Magazine's Christa Lesté-Lasserre. “But perhaps the fundamental question is: Do we really want to? For people who love horse racing, the uncertainty provides the excitement, and the actual running of the horses provides the spectacle and the beauty.”

Equibase to Evaluate GPS Timing System

In light of reports questioning the accuracy of the Gmax timing system, which relies on GPS technology, Equibase announced Monday in a statement that it will conduct an “extensive analysis” of the systems that is in place at 11 racetracks and will look to increase quality control efforts with respect to the GPS timers.

The accuracy of the GPS method became such an issue for the team putting together the Beyer speed figures that they have been hand timing the races from the Gmax tracks and have been using those times when making their figures.

“My colleagues and I are relieved that Equibase has recognized the flaws with its GPS race timing,” Andy Beyer said. “Everybody in the sport should share this relief. Without precise times, nobody can evaluate horses properly. As Equibase moves forward with GPS technology, I hope it will be more careful to vet the product and make sure that any data it publishes will be accurate.”

Equibase said it will consult the figure-makers as it moves forward and attempts to improve the GPS system.

Gmax has been replacing the traditional timing method, which is a teletimer systems that involves beams. Beyer and others have contended that the beam system is more accurate than GPS. Equibase said that it will look to combine the two methods.

“The result should be better overall performance and a more comprehensive data set,” the announcement read.

In addition, Equibase said it will not replace the beam system with Gmax at any additional tracks “until we are satisfied that the replacement provides a similar or better level of accuracy.”

The statement in its entirety reads:

There have been recent reports about the timing accuracy of GPS technology that Equibase has deployed at several tracks. We are conducting an extensive analysis of these installations. In the meantime, we are increasing our quality control efforts with respect to the GPS timing data and have sought input from speed figure makers and others in the racing community. We are also working toward a more integrated timing and tracking solution that combines the times produced by the beam system with the positional data produced by GPS. Finally, we will not replace another beam system

Equibase has served as the official database for Thoroughbred horse racing’s performance data for more than 20 years. It is a responsibility that we take very seriously, and we will provide updates on our progress with GPS timing.

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