PTD Comma-Delimited File Standard Revision 1.20
Aug 1, 2024
Programmers please read the following points carefully:
1. When string fields contain quotation marks within them the embedded quotation mark characters (symbol “) will be changed to the percent character (symbol %) when exported by the Post Time Daily. This is due to the fact that some languages do not deal with embedded quotes properly.
2. When strings contain no information they may be space filled or they may appear in the comma delimited files as two quotes with nothing in between. Our preference is that at some future time if the information for a string field is not available it will contain nothing between the quotes. But we have had many reports from Visual Basic programmers that truly empty strings (NULL) are in some way a problem. PLEASE MAKE SURE that your program can handle space filled strings and empty (NULL) strings. Also don’t assume that if a field is defined as string(22) that it will be filled with 22 spaces if empty. It might not. If your programming tool has some kind of trim function we would recommend that you trim all strings and then check their length to determine if they have information or not. That seems safe to us but other methods can work as well.
3. No assumptions should be made about the order of the entrants in the comma delimited files. The comma delimited files may be in post position order, saddle cloth order, or technically in any other order. The horses in the horse file currently export in the same order as the horses listed in the entrant file but while we DON’T expect that to change that is not guaranteed either.
4. We will be setting up a system to ensure that those of you who depend on comma delimted files will be emailed WELL in advance of any proposed changes and that you will have a chance to give us input into these changes.
5. Do not assume that there will be only up to ten pacelines per horse. We are currently putting out 12-14 pacelines at some tracks and may add more at a later date. Field 7 of the ENT file (numberOfPacelines) is the only valid way to determine how many pacelines are present for a horse. You can always choose to ignore those you don’t want to use.
6. Regarding Y2K compliance. There is NOTHING about year two thousand compliance (contrary to popular opinion) that REQUIRES four character date codes. However software which does NOT use two character date codes intelligently (e.g. where the year can’t be determined based on some semantic context) will have problems. We will notify you well prior to expanding the year code to four digits so that you have time to update your software. If you can plan for this now and allow for the possibility that the date fields will changed to MM/DD/YYYY in the future that would certainly be desireable. You can determine whether you are dealing with an old or new date by checking the length of the date field. New date fields will be 10 characters long. Old date fields will be 8 characters long.
7. Programmers – DO NOT HARDCODE the Version string in the sense that you are looking for ONE particular VALUE. We will update this with every major revision of this document. So if you need to check for changes incorporated into a particular version please convert field 1 of the RAC file (Version String) to a number and check by making sure that the version is 1.5 OR GREATER. Do NOT code for = to version 1.5 as your code will SURELY break when we update this field.
Sample comma delimited files are available on our website via the home page at http://www.posttimedaily.com.
The PTD Comma-Delimited File Standard defines a set of five comma delimited files which together comprise a card of racing at any racetrack.
Our current product, the Post Time Daily will allow exporting our current PTD data file to this PTD Comma Delimited File Standard.
The file naming conventions for the Export files are as follows where E is a constant, TTT is the track code (two or three characters), MM is the month, DD is the date, and YY is the two digit decimal year code. If the track code is two characters, for file naming purposes only, we will use an underscore for the third character.
ETTTMMDD.RYY (for race records)
ETTTMMDD.CYY (for class string info for race)
ETTTMMDD.EYY (for entry records – horse specific)
ETTTMMDD.WYY (for workout records)
ETTTMMDD.HYY (for horse records – paceline level)
While the file structures are not totally normalized (if you don’t understand this term don’t worry), we have tried to make them somewhat relational. The .CLS file which contains the conditions of the race from the racing form can be up to 4100 bytes in length. That is the class information that appears at the top of the race as the race conditions. Because of that, while it logically belongs in the .RAC file, we have extracted it into a separate file so that those of you who cannot handle a string file of this length can ignore it. AT THE END OF THIS CLASS STRING THERE WILL BE A CARRIAGE RETURN CHARACTER (hex 0x0D) followed by the bet types separated by additional CARRIAGE RETURNS if they appear on multiple lines.
The following conventions are followed in this comma-delimited file structure. All string fields are enclosed in double quotation marks. String fields which contain embedded quote characters (symbol “) will have these embedded quote characters changed to the percent character (symbol %). All numeric fields are not enclosed in quotes. Fields defined as date fields are expressed as strings of the form MM/DD/YY and enclosed in quotes just like any other string. Some combination of fields in each record will always constitute a unique key. And there is a well defined way to navigate all 1 to many relationships in these files.
Developers – THE NEXT NOTES ARE VERY IMPORTANT
The following is a list of fields which are NOT currently used but might
be in the future.
RAC FILE
none
CLS FILE
none
ENT FILE
Not currently used field 76, 77, 79
WOR FILE
Currently the product allows for up to 12 workouts in the Post Time Daily. Changes to this will require a product upgrade, but we might do this in the future. Don’t make ANY assumptions about how many work outs we will provide.
HOR FILE
not currently used field 21 (we hope to have this back shortly)
not currently used field 60, 61-64
not currently used field 80, 81 (we hope to have these back shortly)
NOTE: VERY IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT FRACTIONAL TIMES IN THE HOR FILE
We have set up these times in such a way that traditional pace handicappers who need the 2f and 4f time in sprints, and the 4f and 6f time in routes will always find them in the firstCallTime (field 27) and the secondCallTime (field 28).
If a time appears with a ZERO value that means it was not available or is not recorded at a particular distance.
Sprints
(Obviously sprints 4f and shorter cannot have a 4f internal time!)
(Many of these shorter sprints will also not have an additionalFractionalTime)
(At some tracks these short sprints will have a 2f time but no 4f time)
(Example DeD at 4-1/2f seems to report 2f time and final time in some races
and 2f time and 4f time in others)
depending on the track where they are run)
firstCallTime 2f time
secondCallTime 4f time
finalTime as expected
additionalFractionalTime (field 30) is the stretch call time in sprints
Sprints between 5-1/2 and 6f
additionalFractionalTime (field 30) is 5/8 time
Sprints between 6-1/2 and 7-1/2f
additionalFractionalTime (field 30) is 6f time
Routes
firstCallTime 4f time
secondCallTime 6f time
finalTime as expected
Routes between 8f and 8-1/2f (inclusive)
additionalFractionalTime (field 30) is 2f time
Routes above 8-1/2f
additionalFractionalTime (field 30) is 8f time
File #1 the .Rxx file
There will be one race record for each race which is running at a track.
| Field | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | string (4) | Schema version (currently “1.20”) |
| 2 | date | Race date (format: “MM/dd/yy”) |
| 3 | string (3) | Track ID |
| 4 | number | Race number |
| 5 | string (3) | Actual track ID if a simulcast race, or blank if N/A |
| 6 | number | Actual race number if a simulcast race, or 0 if N/A |
| 7 | number | Race distance (in feet). E.g., 6 furlongs is 3960 feet |
| 8 | number | Inner track indicator: 0 = No, 1 = Yes |
| 9 | number | Turf indicator: 0 = No, 1 = Yes |
| 10 | number | About distance indicator: 0 = No, 1 = Yes |
| 11 | number | Race class: 0 = Maiden Claiming 1 = Maiden Special Weight 2 = Claiming 3 = Allowance 4 = Stakes 5 = Handicap |
| 12 | number | Maximum claiming price |
| 13 | number | Minimum claiming price |
| 14 | number | Purse |
| 15 | string (3) | Age restrictions: “2”, “2UP”, “3”, “3UP”, “4”, “4UP”, “5”, “5UP” |
| 16 | number | Sex restrictions: 0 = MALE 1 = FEMALE 2 = MIXED |
| 17 | number | Statebred indicator: 0 = No, 1 = Yes |
| 18 | number | Restricted indicator: 0 = No, 1 = Yes |
| 19 | number | Graded Stakes level: 0 = Not graded or unknown 1 = Grade 1 2 = Grade 2 3 = Grade 3 |
| 20 | string (21) | Short class description. Examples: “Alw 42000N1x” “Alw 47500N$(3m)” “LasFlorsBCH-G3” “Md Sp Wt” “Clm 25000” |
| 21 | string (5) | Local post time (format: “h:mm”) |
| 22 | string (1) | Local time zone: “E” = Eastern “C” = Central “M” = Mountain “P” = Pacific |
| 23 | string (5) | UTC adjustment amount (i.e., time difference between UTC and this track’s local time zone) |
| 24 | string (25) | Track name |
| 25 | number | Track record (in seconds). E.g., a time of 1:08:1 would be 68.2 seconds. |
| 26 | string (5) | Local post time using a 24-hour clock (format: “HH:mm”) |
| 27 | string | Reserved |
| 28 | number | Course type: 0 = Dirt 1 = Turf 2 = Inner Dirt 3 = Inner Turf 5 = Outer Turf 7 = Downhill Turf 8 = All Weather 33 = Hurdle 65 = Steeplechase 97 = Jumps (or, other) |
| 29 | number | Reserved |
File #2 the .Cxx file
There will be one .CLS record for each race which is running at a track. The first three fields (fields 1-3) provide a unique key for this record. It can be used to relate the .RAC and .CLS files. There is a one-to-one relationship between them. As explained above this is a separate record only for convenience of users who cannot handle a string field that is potentially 4100 bytes in size.
| Field | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | date | Race date (format: “MM/dd/yy”) |
| 2 | string (3) | Track ID |
| 3 | number | Race number |
| 4 | string (4100) | Full race description and available wagers. NOTE: this field will also contain a carriage return control character (‘\r’), separating the race description from the available wagers. |
File #3 the .Exx file
There will be many .ENT records for each race which is running at a track. Generally for each .RAC record there will be many .ENT records although there could be zero or 1 as well. The first three fields date, track, and racenumber can be used to find all the .ENT records for each .RAC record. There is a 1 to many relationship between .RAC and .ENT. The first four fields (fields 1-4) provide a unique key for this record. It can be used to relate the .ENT and .HOR files. There is a one-to-many relationship between the .ENT file and the .HOR file.
Note: Past performances that are downloaded after the saddle cloth numbers are assigned will have these fields already filled in without downloading the additional free saddle cloth file. If pps were downloaded prior to these assignments then the free saddle cloth file will still be needed to fill in these fields.
| Field | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | date | Race date (format: “MM/dd/yy”) |
| 2 | string (3) | Track ID |
| 3 | number | Race number |
| 4 | string (22) | Runner’s name |
| 5 | string (4) | Saddlecloth/Program number (N/A for “early” cards) |
| 6 | string (5) | Morning line odds (N/A for “early” cards) |
| 7 | number | Number of pacelines (e.g., will be 0 for first-time-starters) |
| 8 | string (1) | Entry letter (will be blank if not part of a coupled entry) |
| 9 | number | Scratched indicator: 0 = No, 1 = Yes NOTE: this could indicate either an early scratch OR a runner scratched while using Post Time Daily. |
| 10 | number | The “current year” displayed in runner’s stats box (e.g., 2023). |
| 11 | number | Starts in the current year |
| 12 | number | Wins in the current year |
| 13 | number | Places in the current year |
| 14 | number | Shows in the current year |
| 15 | number | Earnings in the current year |
| 16 | number | The “previous year” displayed in runner’s stats box (e.g., 2022). |
| 17 | number | Starts in the previous year |
| 18 | number | Wins in the previous year |
| 19 | number | Places in the previous year |
| 20 | number | Shows in the previous year |
| 21 | number | Earnings in the previous year |
| 22 | string (40) | Owner’s name |
| 23 | string (5) | Color |
| 24 | number | Year foaled |
| 25 | number | Month foaled |
| 26 | string (5) | Breeding location (i.e., state or country) |
| 27 | number | Age |
| 28 | string (1) | Sex: “c” = Colt “h” = Horse “g” = Gelding “r” = Ridgling “f” = Filly “m” = Mare “b” = Spayed mare |
| 29 | string (22) | Sire’s name |
| 30 | string (22) | Sire’s sire name (i.e., paternal grandsire) |
| 31 | string (22) | Dam’s name |
| 32 | string (22) | Dam’s sire name (i.e., maternal grandsire) |
| 33 | string (22) | Trainer’s name |
| 34 | string (58) | Breeder’s name |
| 35 | number | Trainer starts (current meet) |
| 36 | number | Trainer wins (current meet) |
| 37 | number | Trainer places (current meet) |
| 38 | number | Trainer shows (current meet) |
| 39 | number | Trainer win percentage (current meet) |
| 40 | number | Lasix indicator: 0 = No, 1 = Yes |
| 41 | number | Bute indicator: 0 = No, 1 = Yes |
| 42 | number | Assigned weight |
| 43 | number | Apprentice allowance |
| 44 | string (22) | Jockey’s name |
| 45 | number | Jockey starts (current meet) |
| 46 | number | Jockey wins (current meet) |
| 47 | number | Jockey places (current meet) |
| 48 | number | Jockey shows (current meet) |
| 49 | number | Jockey win percentage (current meet) |
| 50 | number | Claiming price (zero if not eligible to be claimed) |
| 51 | number | Lifetime starts |
| 52 | number | Lifetime wins |
| 53 | number | Lifetime places |
| 54 | number | Lifetime shows |
| 55 | number | Lifetime earnings |
| 56 | number | Today’s track starts |
| 57 | number | Today’s track wins |
| 58 | number | Today’s track places |
| 59 | number | Today’s track shows |
| 60 | number | Today’s track earnings |
| 61 | number | Turf starts |
| 62 | number | Turf wins |
| 63 | number | Turf places |
| 64 | number | Turf shows |
| 65 | number | Turf earnings |
| 66 | number | Wet track starts |
| 67 | number | Wet track wins |
| 68 | number | Wet track places |
| 69 | number | Wet track shows |
| 70 | number | Wet track earnings |
| 71 | number | Todays’ distance starts |
| 72 | number | Today’s distance wins |
| 73 | number | Today’s distance places |
| 74 | number | Today’s distance shows |
| 75 | number | Today’s distance earnings |
| 76 | number | Also-eligible indicator: 0 = No, 1 = Yes |
| 77 | number | Part-of-field indicator: 0 = No, 1 = Yes NOTE: not currently used. |
| 78 | number | Blinkers: 0 = No change, 1 = On today, 2 = Off today |
| 79 | number | Bandages: 0 = No, 1 = Yes NOTE: not currently used |
| 80 | string (40) | Jockey stats string (year-to-date/YTD) Example: “23:(945 136 .14)” |
| 81 | string (40) | Trainer stats string (year-to-date/YTD) Example: “23:(93 11 .12)” |
| 82 | date | Date of horse’s sex change (blank if not applicable) |
| 83 | string (1) | Horse’s previous sex prior to change (blank if not applicable): “c” = Colt “h” = Horse “r” = Ridgling “f” = Filly “m” = Mare |
| 84 | number | Post position |
| 85 | number | Off-track breeding rating |
| 86 | number | Turf breeding rating |
| 87 | number | First-time lasix indicator: 0 = No, 1 = Yes |
File #4 the .Wxx file
There will be many .WOR records for each race which is running at a track. The first five fields (fields 1-5) provide a unique key for this record. The first four fields are used to relate the .ENT and .WOR files. There is a one-to-many relationship between them. Generally for each .ENT record there can be many .WOR records although there could be zero or 1 as well. While we currently only have up to 4 workouts for each horse, we expect to ship many more WOR records in the future. Don’t assume a maximum number. At least up to twelve will be provided in a future update.
| Field | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | date | Today’s race date (format: “MM/dd/yy”) |
| 2 | string (3) | Today’s track ID |
| 3 | number | Today’s race number |
| 4 | string (22) | Runner’s name |
| 5 | date | Workout date (format: “MM/dd/yy”) |
| 6 | string (3) | Workout track ID |
| 7 | number | Workout distance (in feet) |
| 8 | number | Inner track indicator: 0 = No, 1 = Yes |
| 9 | number | Turf indicator: 0 = No, 1 = Yes |
| 10 | number | Training track indicator: 0 = No, 1 = Yes |
| 11 | string (3) | Workout track condition (E.g., “fst”, “fm”, etc.) |
| 12 | number | Workout time (in seconds) |
| 13 | number | Breezing indicator: 0 = No, 1 = Yes |
| 14 | number | Handily indicator: 0 = No, 1 = Yes |
| 15 | number | Bullet workout indicator: 0 = No, 1 = Yes |
| 16 | number | Dogs up indicator: 0 = No, 1 = Yes |
| 17 | number | Gate workout indicator: 0 = No, 1 = Yes |
| 18 | number | Workout rank |
| 19 | number | Total number of workouts at this distance and course type |
| 20 | string | Reserved |
| 21 | string | Reserved |
| 22 | number | Course type: 0 = Dirt 1 = Turf 2 = Inner Dirt 3 = Inner Turf 5 = Outer Turf 7 = Downhill Turf 8 = All Weather 33 = Hurdle 65 = Steeplechase 97 = Jumps (or, other) |
| 23 | number | Reserved |
File #5 the .Hxx file
There will be many .HOR records for each race which is running at a track. The first five fields (fields 1-5) provide a unique key for this record. The first four fields are used to relate the .ENT and .HOR files. There is a one-to-many relationship between them. Generally for each .ENT record there will be many .HOR records although there could be zero or 1 as well.
| Field | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | date | Today’s race date (format: “MM/dd/yy”) |
| 2 | string (3) | Today’s track ID |
| 3 | number | Today’s race number |
| 4 | string (22) | Runner’s name |
| 5 | date | Paceline date (format: “MM/dd/yy”) |
| 6 | string (3) | Paceline track ID |
| 7 | number | Paceline race number |
| 8 | number | Distance (in feet) |
| 9 | number | Inner track indicator: 0 = No, 1 = Yes |
| 10 | number | Turf indicator: 0 = No, 1 = Yes |
| 11 | number | About distance indicator: 0 = No, 1 = Yes |
| 12 | number | Off-the-turf indicator: 0 = No, 1 = Yes |
| 13 | string (3) | Track condition |
| 14 | number | Three-and-up indicator: 0 = No, 1 = Yes |
| 15 | number | Females-only indicator: 0 = No, 1 = Yes |
| 16 | number | Statebreds-only indicator: 0 = No, 1 = Yes |
| 17 | number | Restricted indicator: 0 = No, 1 = Yes |
| 18 | string (3) | Age restrictions: “2”, “2UP”, “3”, “3UP”, “4”, “4UP”, “5”, “5UP” |
| 19 | number | Sex restrictions: 0 = MALE 1 = FEMALE 2 = MIXED |
| 20 | string (21) | Short class description. Examples: “Alw 42000N1x” “Alw 47500N$(3m)” “LasFlorsBCH-G3” “Md Sp Wt” “Clm 25000” |
| 21 | string (45) | Extended class info NOTE: Generally available only for some foreign pacelines. |
| 22 | number | Purse |
| 23 | number | Claiming price (the price for which this horse was entered) |
| 24 | number | Race class: 0 = Maiden Claiming 1 = Maiden Special Weight 2 = Claiming 3 = Allowance 4 = Stakes 5 = Handicap |
| 25 | number | Graded Stakes level: 0 = Not graded or unknown 1 = Grade 1 2 = Grade 2 3 = Grade 3 |
| 26 | number | Claimed indicator: 0 = No, 1 = Yes |
| 27 | number | First call time (in seconds) |
| 28 | number | Second call time (in seconds) |
| 29 | number | Final time (in seconds) |
| 30 | number | Additional fractional time (in seconds) |
| 31 | number | Post position |
| 32 | number | Start call position |
| 33 | number | First call position |
| 34 | number | Second call position |
| 35 | number | Stretch call position |
| 36 | number | Finish position |
| 37 | number | First call beaten/leading lengths |
| 38 | number | Second call beaten/leading lengths |
| 39 | number | Stretch call beaten/leading lengths |
| 40 | number | Finish beaten/leading lengths |
| 41 | string (22) | Jockey’s name |
| 42 | number | Lasix indicator: 0 = No, 1 = Yes |
| 43 | number | Bute indicator: 0 = No, 1 = Yes |
| 44 | number | Weight carried |
| 45 | number | Blinkers indicator: 0 = No, 1 = Yes |
| 46 | number | Front wraps indicator: 0 = No, 1 = Yes |
| 47 | number | Favorite indicator: 0 = No, 1 = Yes |
| 48 | number | Tote odds |
| 49 | number | Odds ranking (e.g., the post time favorite would be 1, etc.) |
| 50 | number | Coupled indicator: 0 = No, 1 = Yes |
| 51 | number | Dead heat indicator: 0 = No, 1 = Yes |
| 52 | number | Disqualified indicator: 0 = No, 1 = Yes |
| 53 | number | Official position NOTE: if dsiqualified, this indicates where it was placed. If not part of a DQ, this will be zero. |
| 54 | number | Speed rating |
| 55 | number | Track variant |
| 56 | number | Advanced Speed Figure (ASF) Notes: -1 = not enough info to calculate figure (e.g., foreign paceline) 998 = an otherwise negative figure (shows as “-0” in PPs) 999 = otherwise incalculable figure (shows as “-” in PPs) |
| 57 | number | PTD Early Pace Rating |
| 58 | number | PTD Late Pace Rating |
| 59 | number | PTD True Pace Rating |
| 60 | number | PTD Speed Rating NOTE: not currently used |
| 61 | number | PTD Early Pace Variant (1st fraction) NOTE: not currently used |
| 62 | number | PTD Early Pace Variant (2nd fraction) NOTE: not currently used |
| 63 | number | PTD Final Time Variant (1st fraction) NOTE: not currently used |
| 64 | number | PTD Additional Fraction Variant (1st fraction) NOTE: not currently used |
| 65 | string (22) | Winning horse’s name |
| 66 | number | Winning horse’s weight carried |
| 67 | number | Winning horse’s margin over next runner (in lengths) |
| 68 | string (22) | Second-place horse’s name |
| 69 | number | Second-place horse’s weight carried |
| 70 | number | Second place horse’s margin over next runner (in lengths) |
| 71 | string (22) | Third-place horse’s name |
| 72 | number | Third-place horse’s weight carried |
| 73 | number | Third-place horse’s margin over next runner (in lengths) |
| 74 | string (22) | Trouble line details |
| 75 | number | Number of runners in race |
| 76 | string (22) | If claimed, the original trainer’s name, otherwise blank |
| 77 | string (35) | If claimed, the original owner’s name, otherwise blank |
| 78 | string (72) | Extended trouble line details |
| 79 | string (10) | Disqualification comments (if available) |
| 80 | string | Foreign track description |
| 81 | string | Foreign track direction (if available; e.g., “LH” = Left-Hand, “RH” = Right-Hand, “Str” = “Straight”) |
| 82 | string | Trainer’s name |
| 83 | string | Owner’s name |
| 84 | number | Race type: 0 = Thoroughbred 1 = Quarter horse 2 = Steeplechase 3 = Hurdle 4 = Foreign NOTE: currently, only 0 and 4 are used. |
| 85 | number | Apprentice allowance |
| 86 | number | Course type: 0 = Dirt 1 = Turf 2 = Inner Dirt 3 = Inner Turf 5 = Outer Turf 7 = Downhill Turf 8 = All Weather 33 = Hurdle 65 = Steeplechase 97 = Jumps (or, other) |
| 87 | number | Reserved |
Note: If the Position Call was not available it will have a value of zero.
All beaten lengths in fields 37-40 are in decimal. A ‘hd’ is allowed .15, a neck 0.20 and a nose 0.10. So if the past performances says 3-1/4 we have 3.25. If the PPs says 1hd we have 0.15.
Also NOTE that if a horse is ON THE LEAD at a particular call position then the beaten lengths field will actually be the margin of lead at that position.
IMPORTANT – If the beaten lengths field is ZERO this indicates that the information was unavailable. No horse not on the lead can ever have a valid beaten lenght of zero. And no horse on the lead can ever have a leading margin of ZERO. Thus ZERO denotes a missing value.
IF a horse was EASED it will generally have a POSITION CALL OF ZERO and BEATEN LENGTHS of 99.75. Checking for 99 or more in the beaten lengths should be sufficient!
HORSE that had NO INFO at a point of call (for Example foreign horse internals) will have POSITION CALLS of ZERO and BEATEN LENGTHS OF ZERO.
Last updated on: 2/1/2022
Copyright 2022 by Value Tech, Inc.
