The United States Trotting Association has announced that it is partnering with a leader in horse racing contests to create and present harness racing contests to a new audience.

The company that the USTA has partnered with is derbywars.com.

“With the rapid growth of daily fantasy sports websites and the success of derbywars.com as well as other horse racing handicapping contests and websites, this allows harness racing to become more involved with an industry that involves millions of participants,” said USTA Director of Marketing and Communications Dan Leary. “Being involved with DerbyWars offers our racing to a group of sophisticated bettors and contest players who already participate and understand wagering on horse racing.”

$1,000 Survivor contests – Monday and Tuesday nights

On Monday (Nov. 9), DerbyWars hosted the first of its Monday and Tuesday night $1,000 Survivor contests based on races at two Standardbred tracks. Contestants are tasked with picking a horse to finish first, second or third in each race in order to survive and advance to the next race.

"Survivor contests are a great way for fans to get involved with the races," said Mark Midland, the CEO of DerbyWars. "It's easy to get started when you only have to pick one horse to finish 1-2-3."

The contest progresses until the last race or there is only one survivor left. Entries cost $4 to play.

$10,000 Harness contest – Saturday, Dec. 26

Additionally, DerbyWars will be hosting it's first-ever $10,000 Harness game on Saturday night (Dec. 26). The contest will feature races from the Meadowlands and other tracks. The contest will be limited to 100 players. Players can qualify throughout November and December on DerbyWars or buy in directly to the contest.

Yonkers Raceway contests – Sunday mornings

DerbyWars will also host contests to coincide with the early Sunday morning racing at Yonkers Raceway on Nov. 8, 15, 23, 30 and Dec. 13. Contests will include a $500 Survivor contest and qualifiers for the upcoming $10,000 Harness game on Dec. 26.

The USTA has previously run free, online handicapping contests as qualifiers to the World Harness Handicapping Championships.

Harness racing fans can get started on DerbyWars.com and get the complete schedule at derbywars.com/harness.

(USTA)