TrackMaster, an Equibase Company, has identified three software programs as finalists in its Software Development Challenge and, based on the enthusiasm surrounding this inaugural contest, has announced plans for a second challenge beginning in August specifically focused on the development of “apps” for mobile devices such as iPhones and smart phones with the Android operating system.

The selected programs — two pertaining to Thoroughbred racing and one geared to harness racing — were developed by Dan Ligett of Amherst, New York; Dave Richardson of Ottawa, Ontario; and Mike Orlando of Marple, Pennsylvania.

Each of the three developers will be offered a revenue-sharing agreement with TrackMaster whereby his software program will be incorporated into TrackMaster’s menu of handicapping products on trackmaster.com.

“Through ongoing interaction with our customers, we knew that many horse racing enthusiasts had developed programs to help analyze races, but never put the finishing touches on such applications to make them commercially acceptable,” said TrackMaster President David Siegel. “In addition, there are many statistically oriented individuals outside of racing who simply have a fascination with predictive models. This contest also gave these individuals an opportunity to apply their knowledge and interest for possible profit.”

More than 50 individuals signed up for the inaugural challenge, with TrackMaster supplying test data to those who registered to assist in the development of applications.

“I've been developing my own handicapping software as a hobby since 2007, but the biggest problem I’ve faced is having enough data to properly calibrate and test the system,” said Ligett. “The data provided as part of the contest is just what I needed to move the idea forward.”

“We could not have been more pleased with the outcome of this contest,” said TrackMaster Vice President Jim Vanderbosch. “The software submissions were of high quality, and each had a unique angle or user engagement feature. We look forward to working with the developers to bring these programs to market.”

The details of the upcoming Mobile Application Challenge will be announced in advance of the August launch on the TrackMaster website and on equibase.com and ustrotting.com. In addition to making the “winning” submissions commercially available to its customers, TrackMaster will offer cash prizes for winning entries in the Mobile Application Challenge.

TrackMaster, a wholly owned subsidiary of Equibase Company LLC, provides a full range of handicapping products for the three major racing breeds — Thoroughbred, American Quarter Horse and Standardbred. Equibase Company LLC is a partnership between The Jockey Club and the Thoroughbred Racing Associations of North America and serves as the Thoroughbred industry’s official database for racing information.