Form runs from left to right, with the oldest races on the left and the most recent on the right.
- The numbers 1-9 indicate the position the horse finished in the race.
- The number 0 indicates that the horse finished outside the first 9.
- The symbol – separates racing seasons.
How do you read horse racing form?
Form is arranged chronologically from left (oldest) to right (newest). So, in the example above, the horse Mill Reef gained a fourth place, followed by a third, then took some time out from racing, then gained a second followed by falling in the next race, and its latest result was a win.
What do the letters mean in horse racing form?
The letters that appear most commonly in form figures, particularly in National Hunt races, are ‘F’, ‘U’ and ‘P’, which stand for ‘Fell’, ‘Unseated rider’ and ‘ Pulled up ‘, respectively; the first two are fairly self-explanatory, but a horse is said to have been ‘pulled up’ if its jockey decides, usually because of
What does LR mean in horse racing?
LR is the Last Race which the horse ran. 2LR is the second to last race, and the 3LR is the 3rd last race the horse ran in.
What does C mean in horse racing?
What does C&D mean? As well as numbers showing the horses’ most recent finishing positions, look out for letters such and C and D next to its name. C means they have won previously at the course and D means they have previously won over the same distance.
How are horses numbered in a race?
Of all the variables that could affect the outcome, one of the favorites is the order in which the horses line up at the opening gate, otherwise known as the post position. Post positions are numbered from one to 20, with No. 1 being on the track’s inside rail and No. 20 being the farthest outside.
What is the best horse racing form guide?
The Best Places To Find Racing Statistics
- ProForm Stats are easily the best provider of horse racing data out there.
- TimeForm has some vital tools that most horse racing punters will need to study horse racing form.
- BetWise is for the most advanced data hunters!
What does BM stand for in horse racing?
BM= Benchmark 70 [10 th strongest race.
What does BM mean in racing?
Maiden. A maiden class is for horses that have yet to win a race. They carry the lowest prize money of all the classes. There are subcategories of the maiden class, which includes special maidens. A special maiden is a runner that has won a race but is still eligible to race against a maiden field.
What does M mean in horse racing?
At most major racetracks, the morning-line favorite ends up as the public favorite at post time in more than 70% of races (Source). This doesn’t mean the morning-line favorite wins more than 70%, of course.
How to Read a Racing Form
Documentation Download Documentation Download Documentation Typically offered at racetracks, racing forms are independent publications that contain a full history of the horses who will be competing in forthcoming races. They are available for purchase online. They are a very useful tool for “handicapping,” which is the process of calculating the likelihood that a horse will win a race. They are, on the other hand, extremely sophisticated technical texts.
- 1Check the header for errors. Each race’s general information will be available at the top of each Racing Form, which will be labeled “General Information.” In addition, it will be placed above other information in larger fonts, and it will be separated from the body of the text by a line. 2Find the race number and write it down. This will be displayed on the left-hand side of the header, in large font. Because most tracks run several races per day, this is used to distinguish between different races. It will typically be a number from one to ten. Advertisement
- s3 Look up the name of the track. This will be in unusually big and bolded text, above all of the other information in the header, save the race number which will be to its left
- 4 Find racing conditions. Underneath the track name, there will approximately three lines worth of description. This will begin with the length of the race, the track record, the purse that goes to the winner. It will also list conditions that were necessary for the horses to qualify for the race
- Participants in races are frequently restricted by a need to indicate the gender, age, and record of the horses. In the race conditions, these class requirements will be given
- Alternatively, you will see an alpha-numeric code to the right of the track name and above the race circumstances, indicating the class. The majority of the information contained in the racial description is conveyed through the usage of these codes. This makes it feasible for professionals to check the header for race information in a short period of time.
- 5Review the track diagram for accuracy. One of the images from the course may be found in the header on the far right-hand side of the page. Because certain horses do better in certain sorts of races than others, this might be a useful tool to have. Advertisement
- 1Look for information on horses. There are three columns of data on the horse that are located just beneath the track information. Included is identifying information about the race, its lineage, and its average performance history. 2 Look to the far left column for information on how to identify yourself. The horse’s race number may be seen in big type to the left of the body of the paragraph, to the right of the heading. The horse’s name will be revealed in the first row of writing, and the owner’s identity will be revealed in the second row of text. The color of the “silks” that the horse will be wearing during the race is shown in the third row. The name of the horse’s jockey appears in the final line.
- Obtain information on horses. 1 There are three columns of data on the horse that are located directly under the track information. Included is identifying information on the race, the pedigree, and the average performance history
- 2 Search for identifying information in the far left-hand column. It is located in big font to the left of the text’s body, and it is identified by the horse’s race number. The horse’s name will be revealed in the first row of text, and the owner’s name will be revealed in the second. The color of the “silks” worn by the horse during the race is indicated in the third row. Last but not least, the jockey’s name appears in the last line
- 3 Physical characteristics and pedigree information may be found in the center column. The first row is made up of three initials: one for color, one for gender, and one for age. The second row is made up of three initials: one for gender, one for age, and one for color. The second low contains information on the horse’s sire, his sire’s sire, and the amount the owner costs to stud the sire. The third stanza of the poem contains the names of the horse’s mother and her maternal grandpa. The breeder’s name is included in the fourth line of the text. The final line provides the trainer’s name, as well as his victory percentage, which is structured in the same manner as the jockey’s percentage.
- The initials B for bay, Blk for black, Ch for chestnut, Dkb for dark bay, Br for brown, Gry for gray, and RA for roan will be used to indicate color in the first line of the column
- The color initial will be followed by a second indicating the gender of the horse
- The color initial will be followed by a second indicating the gender of the horse. These are the ones to look out for: C represents a colt, F represents a filly, G represents a gelding, M represents a mare, and R represents a ridgling. It is the horse’s age that is the final factor in the first line. This is an example of how I structured it: “4 (May),” where 4 represents the age of the horse and May represents the month in which the horse was born. The age of a horse is not determined by the number of birthdays they have celebrated, but rather by the number of New Year’s Days they have witnessed. Upon the first day of January, a horse born on December 31st will be considered one year old
- 4 Career averages may be seen in the far right column. To the left of the column, in big letters, you will see a letter and a number, which indicate whether or not the horse is taking any drugs and how much weight it is likely to be carrying. The rows will be structured to represent the horse’s career statistics, which you will see at the bottom of the page. The first number is the total number of career starts, followed by the first, second, and third-place finishes in the race. There are career earnings and the horse’s best Beyer Speed displayed to the right of this information.
- In this way, the horse’s performance under various conditions is represented in a handful of rows that are organized in this way. The horse’s career record is displayed in the first row, starting in the upper left corner. The three numbers represent this horse’s performance this year, the previous year, and for the course of its career at this track. Counting down from top right to bottom left, the rows represent the horse’s record on different types of tracks: dirt fast tracks, wet tracks, synthetic tracks, turf tracks, as well as the horse’s record on surfaces and distances that are similar to those of the race under consideration. The Beyer speed is a measure of a horse’s average speed in relation to the average speed of the tracks on which it has competed. For a $25,000 race, the average Beyer numbers would be in the low 90s, for a $10,000 race, the mid 80s, and for a $2,500 race, the average Beyer numbers would be 57. Some of the best horses may have Bayer numbers in the 120s. Tomlinson Rating: The number in parenthesis next to the wet, turf, and distance symbols represents the number of times the symbol has been wet. This illustrates how well a horse competes on the many sorts of tracks that are available. Having a wet turf or distance rating of 320 or above indicates that the horse is expected to do exceptionally well on a wet track or surface. When a horse has a ranking of 280 or higher on the turf, it implies that the horse has a competitive edge.
- Observe and analyze how the horse has performed in recent races. If you look beneath the basic horse information, you will see a list of the horse’s previous race results. Detailed and exhaustive information will be provided in each of these rows, which will be preceded by a date indicating the race. 2 Find out about your race’s defining characteristics. The date of the race, an acronym denoting the track, and the race number for that day are all shown at the start of each row, starting with the first. This will be followed by an abbreviation representing the overall state of the track, as seen below. Before the fractional times the distance measured in furlongs, there is one last piece of information to consider.
- Track conditions are denoted by acronyms such as fr for frozen, fst for fast, gd for good, hy for heavy, my for muddy, sl for slow, sly for sloppy, and wf, among others. In the case of wet-fast
- 3 Go over fractional times one more time. These provide you with an idea of how the horse paces itself throughout a competition. The first number represents the horse’s time at a quarter of the course’s distance, the second represents the horse’s time at a half-mile, the third represents the horse’s time at three-fourths of a mile, and the last number is the horse’s final time
- Times are represented in the following way: “2:04 3,” where “2” represents minutes, “04” represents seconds, and “3” represents fifths of a second.
- 4 Reevaluate the horse’s position. A number following the times indicates the horse’s Beyer’s speed, which can be found after the timings. This is followed by the horse’s position at the starting line, the first call, the second call, the third call, the stretch call, and the finish
- After that, it is over.
- If the exponent for the number is more than one, it indicates that the horse was behind the race leader by a certain number of lengths (an approximate estimate of the length of a horse). On the far right-hand side of the website, you will see a figure that shows the number of people who have signed up so far. This is critical for determining how advantageous the horse’s position is. It is unlikely that a third-place finish will mean much if there are only four starters. Take a look at the comments. A remark line may be found on the far right of the page, immediately before the number of starts. Even though it is brief, this will generally provide some information about the horse’s performance that would otherwise be difficult to determine only from the figures
- 1Beat the odds and come out on top. Any wagers on a horse that is heavily favored to win will have its odds adjusted such that they will not pay out as much as wagers on other horses. To put it another way, you shouldn’t think of yourself as betting on a horse, but rather as betting against the odds makers. Try to forecast when a horse is likely to do better than the oddsmakers expect by using the Racing Form. 2Consider the Beyer Speed Figure in detail. A high Beyer Speed Figure, particularly in recent races, is the conventional measure for assessing a horse’s odds in the betting market. However, if your goal is to outperform the odds, you should pay close attention to any indications that the Beyer Speed Figure may be inaccurate. Is it possible that the horse’s abnormally low performance in a recent race was caused by track conditions? If this is the case, it is possible that the oddsmakers are underestimating its prospects. 3Consider the horse’s trainer’s efficiency as a trainer. A skilled trainer may be able to take a horse who has had a mediocre performance in the past and urge it to do better in the future. It is crucial to observe the trainer in order to predict when a horse is likely to surpass the odds. 4Determine the jockey’s skill to ride the horse. The name of the horse’s rider appears in strong font beneath the horse’s name. The jockey’s statistics cover the same time period as the trainer’s data
- Thus, they are comparable. 5Consider the route you’re taking. For a long time, some horses were known to perform very well on specific courses. Examine the horse’s performance on the racetrack to determine whether or not it has a competitive edge there. Also evaluate whether the horse has previously done well on courses and distances that are comparable to those that will be encountered today. 6Check to see if the horse has been given further medicine. Horses that are treated with Lasix for the first time frequently perform better than they should have. This will be displayed by a huge “L” next to the horse’s average Beyer Speed Numbers to the left of the average Beyer Speed Numbers. A white “L” in a black circle will be used to identify a horse who has just taken it for the first time (as opposed to a horse that has previously taken it). 7 Try your hand at position handicapping. When it comes to horse betting, one of the most difficult aspects to figure out is how a horse interacts with other horses. Does it want to attempt to stay in front or does it want to make a break for it towards the end? Examine the horse’s position on the track in relation to other horses to determine its type, and then evaluate how it could interact with the other sorts of horses competing in the race on that particular day
- 8 Accept the advice of experts. The “Closer Look” part of the Racing Form contains a brief narrative about each horse written by a professional handicapper and is found on the back of the Racing Form. It frequently provides critical pedigree information, as well as indications about exercise habits and insights into recent races. Advertisement
Create a new question
- Question What is the location of the eighth pole? When you reach the eighth pole, you are 1/8 of a mile from the finish line on a racetrack with a green pole. Question What are the symbols that represent the difference between the race distance and the first fractional time? The sign you see for the race on February 16 at Aqueduct denotes that the event was held on their winter track, which contains a component that makes it less likely to freeze during the winter months. More frequently, you will see a T symbol to indicate races that were run on turf, a diamond symbol to indicate races that were run on synthetic surfaces, or an X symbol to indicate a race that was originally scheduled to be run on grass but was moved to dirt due to the inability of the grass course to hold the race. Question Is there a difference between the online race form and the printed version? It’s true that the online version of the newspaper, DRF Formulator, contains more features than the print version. There are several resources available online, including the Formulator Closer Look, sire ratings, dam reports, moss speed estimates, and much more. The formulator is $4.95
- The calculator is free. Question What exactly does the letter f stand for? The letter F stands for filly (female horse age 4 or younger). It is included in the following lettering: A = official age
- S = sex
- M = mare (female horse age 5 or older)
- F = filly (female horse age 4 or younger)
- H = horse (intact male age 5 or older)
- C = colt (intact male age 4 or younger)
- G = gelding (castrated male of any age). Question What is the significance of the stars in the form of a jockey’s name? The number of stars next to a jockey’s name often indicates how excellent they are. Do you know what five-star ratings are? It’s almost as though the message is like that. They will receive 4-5 stars if they are excellent or exceptional, or even if they are merely really good. If they’re satisfactory, give them 2-3 or a half star rating. If it’s not nice, there are no stars, or only one, half, or two
- Question What is the significance of the “W” following the claiming price? A horse is entered in a claiming race with a waiver, and the horse is unable to be claimed for a variety of reasons, including injury. One is that it has been off for a long period of time and this is its first race back after being laid off from previous competition. If a particular track has a judgment on limited races, it is related to that
- Otherwise, it is not. Question What is meant by the term “height of the rail”? Maliah OnealeharrisAnswer from the Community The height in question is 4,025 millimeters. The height and breadth of the standard regular trains are 4,025 mm and 3,240 mm, respectively. Question The number in front of the horse’s last track race is what you need to know. Answer from the hobbitandtinkerbell kCommunity The number represents her chances of winning as well as the number of times she has won.
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About This Article
To begin reading a racing form, begin by scanning the top header for basic information about the event. Find the race number, which is normally a number between 1 and 10 on the left-hand side of the header, and write it down. Then look for the track name to the right of the race number on the results page. It is expected that a brief explanation of the racing circumstances would appear beneath the circuit name. Following that, you’ll see three columns of horse information, each of which contains the horse’s gender, age, pedigree, and previous performance records.
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Horse form refers to the record of a horse’s performance in prior races, and it is often considered to be a reliable predictor of a horse’s future performance by many experts. The ability to compare horses’ form should allow you to identify the horses who are most likely to perform well in a race. When it comes to the race card, it is usually laid down as a line of numbers showing the finisher’s position or as abbreviations. The form is read from left to right, with the oldest races on the left and the most recent races on the right, starting with the oldest races.
- It is represented by the numerals 1-9, which represent the horse’s finishing position in the race. It is indicated by the number 0 that the horse finished outside of the first 9
- The sign – denotes the beginning and end of racing seasons. The numbers preceding the – refer to the previous season. An extended gap is indicated by the sign /, such as when an animal has missed a full racing season. If the horse is marked with a P or PU, it means that the jockey pulled it up and the horse did not finish the race.
Jump racing is commonly referred to by the acronyms listed below:
- When a horse falls, R signifies that it has refused to race, BD indicates that the horse has been knocked down by another runner, U or UR indicates that the horse has unseated its jockey, and so forth.
You may also come across the following abbreviations:
- C denotes that a horse has previously won on that track
- D indicates that a horse has previously won over that distance. If a horse has won over course and distance, it is indicated by the letter CD. BF is an abbreviation for beaten favorite, and it refers to a horse who was the favorite for a race but did not win
Make sure to check at the BHA rating and Timeform’s assessment under each horse to get a sense of what the experts think about a particular horse’s prospects.
DRF Handicapping 101 – Learn to play the horses
Guide for those who are new to handicapping the races with Daily Racing Form. Form a list of previous performances The DRF Handicapping 101 website is your starting point for learning about handicapping. No matter if you’re new to horse racing or new to the DRF, we’re here to guide you through the process of learning to understand a DRF previous performance and handicap races. To navigate between sections, use the links provided below. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions concerning handicapping.
- You may now access DRF PPs from your mobile device!
- When it comes to horse racing, the term “past performance” refers to how a horse has performed in previous races.
- – Horse racing handicappers examine the previous performance of each horse in a race, taking into consideration, among other things, the combination of speed and endurance displayed in former races and/or workouts.
- For the sake of this exercise, we’ll concentrate on DRF Classic PPs, which are our most popular PPs.
- To discover the previous performance features, simply click on a part of the card’s design.
- Dissemination of Information on DRF PPs History of racial discrimination (in order of appearances) – A horse that races at regular and constant intervals is most likely in good shape.
- Be cautious when placing wagers on these horses, since they may require a few races to come back into peak condition.
– In prior performances, whether it was a top-ranked rider from across the country or a local track, the numbers provided a more accurate picture of the rider’s skill.
Prefer horses with riders who have won at least 10 percent to 15 percent of their mounts in the past six months or more.
When a successful jockey is riding two or more horses in the same race, he will normally ride the horse he believes has the best chance of winning.
The advantage they have in attracting the most highly sought-after talent generally comes after they have established a winning record.
The majority of reputable trainers will have a victory percentage ranging from 10 percent to 20 percent.
These days, it is not uncommon to see elite trainers win 30 percent or more of the races in which they compete.
DRF Classic and DRF Formulator PPs are the only ones who can get these!
They assess the pace of each horse while taking into consideration how fast the surface was on a specific day, according to the rules.
The Beyer scale ranges from –0 (the slowest) to around 125 (the most rapid).
The majority of horses establish a favorite running style over time.
The ability to assess a horse’s racing style is essential when handicapping a race.
This horse will usually have enough of energy left for the stretch run.
– Check out the workouts that are listed at the bottom of the previous performances.
Take notice of a horse’s previous results following a layoff period as well.
– The career box, which can be found in the top right corner of the prior performances, provides you with information on the horse’s overall career successes.
His overall earnings during his career amount to $132,619.
The career box also contains statistics on a horse’s performance at the current track and distance he runs at, as well as information on how he performs on a wet surface and on grass.
Make a comparison between these stats and the rest of the field to help identify a probable winner.
TheCloser Look is designed to assist you in digesting the information and constructing your wager.- This special pre-race analysis highlights horses and angles that will assist you in learning the art of handicapping and choosing winning bets for the next race.
The running lines of each horse provide information on how a horse did in his previous races.
Following that, there are a variety of numbers indicating where a horse was positioned at various moments throughout his prior race, which is normally measured in quarter-mile increments depending on the race distance.
Finally, the last number on the running line indicates where he came in at the end of the race.
Symbols and other definitions are as follows: If you come across any of these phrases on DRF’s entries page, these definitions will assist you in getting up to speed.
Claiming Race- The most frequent of all races, with a predetermined price (for example, $25,000) for which any horse entered in the race may be acquired.
When the starting gate swings open, a reclaimed horse becomes the property of the new owner, while any purse money collected during the race remains in the possession of the original owner.
Allowance Race- A step up from lower-level claiming races, the requirements of eligibility are essentially similar to those of lower-level claiming races, with the exception that the horses are not for sale.
Stakes Race- This is the most prestigious class of race, and it is reserved for the best horses.
It is customary for owners to pay an entrance fee in order to nominate, enter, and race their horses.
Handicap Race- A race in which weights have been given by the racing secretary after taking into consideration the previous performances of the participants.
This useful dictionary will make you the life of the party and will assist you in crushing it on the racetrack!
If the horse wins, the player receives three payouts; if the horse comes in second, the player receives two payouts; and if the horse comes in third, the player receives one payout, forfeiting the win and place bets.ALSO-ELIGIBLE- A horse that has been entered but is not permitted to start unless the field is reduced by scratches to a specified number.
- Apprentice jockeys are those who have not yet ridden for a full year past their 35th winner, or for some other time period specified by the racing rules of their respective states.
- Bug boy is slang for an apprentice allowance or rider, which is short for “bug boy.” The term “apprentice rider” stems from the asterisk that appears next to the name of an apprentice rider in the records.
- In addition, there is a stable area.
- BAR SHOE- A horse shoe with a rear bar to protect an injured foot; bar shoes can be worn with aluminum pads to cushion a bruised frog, or they can be worn on their own to protect a bruised frog.
- As an illustration, consider the exacta box on horses 3 and 6.
- The same procedure may be used to box a trifecta or a superfecta, and the results are the same.
- BULLET (Exercise)The best time for each distance on the workout line for a given day, as shown by a black dot on the workout line.
CALLER (OR CHART CALLER)- A person who calls the racing positions of horses in a race (also known as a chart caller).
A bettor who places bets on preferred teams.
From least to most severe, “steadied” comes between “taken up” and “taken up” in terms of severity.
CLAIMS RACE- A race in which horses are entered with the understanding that they would be acquired for a specific amount.
CLOSER- A horse that performs best in the latter stages of a race after starting from the rear of the field.
COLT- A male horse under the age of five years.
DAM is an abbreviation for “mother of a horse.” DEAD HEAT: When two or more horses finish in a tie at the wire, it is called a dead heat.
When the rider is in stretch, he gives a strong urging.
The term “entry” refers to a group of two or more horses owned by the same stable or (in certain situations) trained by the same trainer that are entered together to form a single betting unit.
In a race, the equipment carried by a horse and/or rider is referred to as race gear.
EXACTA- A wager in which the first two finishers in a race, in any order other than the exact order in which they finished, must be selected.
When there are more entrants than positions on the tote board, a field horse (also known as a MUTUEL FIELD) is formed by two or more starters who run as a single betting unit.
On a turf course, this is equivalent to the condition of a dirt track that is fast.
FRACTIONAL TIME- Interval time recorded during a race, such as at the quarter, half, three-quarters, and so on.
FURLONG is one-eighth of a mile, 220 yards, and 660 feet in distance.
GELDING- A male horse that has been castrated GRADED RACE- Races that are considered to be the most prestigious.
HANDICAPPER- A person who assigns weights to runners in a handicapped race.
HANDLE- The entire amount of money that has been bet into the wagering pool is known as the handle.
MALE HORSE- An ungelded male horse who is 5 years or older.
INQUIRY- A review of the race is being conducted to see whether any rules were broken.
LOCK- A slang term for a winner who is a “sure thing.” A horse that has not yet achieved victory in a race is referred to as an MAIDEN.
MARE- A female horse that is at least 5 years old.
THE MORNING LINE is a linemaker’s prediction of what the final odds will be in a race that is made before the betting begins on the race.
NOSE- The tiniest advantage a horse can have at the end of the race.
An inquiry is a formal complaint that is filed by a patrol judge or other official.
A horse with odds of 4-5 is referred regarded be an odds-on favorite.
Additionally, he is a racing official.
ON THE NOSE- Betting on a horse only for the sake of winning.
PACE- The relative rate at which early movement occurs in a race, particularly by the leader (setting the pace).
PARIMUTUEL PAYOFF- The amount that each bettor will earn if they have a winning mutuel ticket that has been posted.
FINISHED SECOND IN A RACE- Finished second in a race.
Starting point or location in the starting gate is denoted by the post.
A stall in the starting gate from which a horse starts is referred to as the post position.
PURSE- The prize money that is given to the winners.
Quinella is a wager in which the first two finishers must be selected, but the payout is made regardless of which of the two wins and which comes in second place in the race.
In the last stretch, the rider gives a little boost of encouragement.
ROUTER- A horse that excels in long-distance competitions.
SCRATCH- The withdrawal of a horse from competition after the entries have been announced but before the start of the race.
PERFORMANCE- Coming in third place in a race.
SIMULCAST- Televising a race to other tracks, OTB offices, orother venues for the purpose of wagering.
SOFT- The condition of a grass course in which the footing is generally the worst form of footing.
STATEBRED- A horse that has been bred in a certain state and is therefore qualified to compete in races.
STICK- A whip used by jockeys.
TAKEOUT- The percentage of tax collected from each betting pool at the track and distributed in accordance with state law among the state, horsemen (purses), and racetrack, as determined by the state.
TOUT- One who gives tips on racehorses, usually with expectation of some personal rewardin return; to give tips.
The Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes are all part of the Triple Crown, which is a series of races that culminates in the Kentucky Derby.
In most of the globe, with the exception of North America, where dirt is more popular, asphalt is the most prevalent racing surface.
WIRE- The finish line has been reached. It’s a fictitious line drawn between the poles to represent the distance between them. YIELDING- The difference in firmness and softness of the grass course.
Help: How To Use DRF – Past Performances
A beginner’s tutorial to handicapping the races with Daily Racing Form is available online. Form performed in the past. The DRF Handicapping 101 page is your starting point for learning all about handicapping. No matter if you’re new to horse racing or new to the DRF, we’re here to guide you through the process of learning how to read a DRF past performance and handicap the races. To jump to each section, simply click on the links provided below. Ask us anything you want about handicapping and we’ll gladly answer!
- Use your mobile phone to access DRF PPs!
- A sense of the past and information to place bets is provided by information on jockeys and trainers; race dates; where the horse finished; speed figures; odds; and other details.
- The term “past performances” (PPs) refers to past performances that have already taken place.
- The DRF Classic PPs, which are our most popular PPs, will serve as the basis for this exercise.
- To reveal the past performance features, simply click on an element of the card.
- DRF PPs: An Overview of the Main Features History of racial profiling (in order of appearances) In most cases, a horse that races on a consistent and regular basis is in good shape.
- Be cautious when placing wagers on these horses, as they may require a few races to get back into peak condition.
– In past performances, whether it was a top-ranked rider in the country or a local track, the statistics provided a more accurate picture of the rider’s abilities.
Prefer horses with jockeys who have won at least 10 percent to 15 percent of their mounts in the past six months or longer.
Typically, when a successful jockey is riding two or more horses in the same race, he will ride the horse he believes has the best chance of winning.
The advantage they have in recruiting the most highly sought-after talent is usually established once they have a winning record.
Somewhere between 10% and 20% of the time, the most dependable trainers will produce winning results.
It is not uncommon to see top trainers win 30 percent or more of the races in which they compete these days.
The DRF Classic and DRF Formulator are the only ones who can get their hands on these items!
When it comes to selecting a winner, the Daily Racing Form’s exclusive Beyer Speed Figures are perhaps the most valuable tool available.
It is possible to compare one horse’s performance to another using Beyer Figures, regardless of whether the horses competed in different races, at different tracks, or even over a variety of different distances and surfaces.
Tips: The green numbers on the turf represent Beyer Speed Figures For the most part, horses learn to run in a certain way.
Run on the lead or within a few lengths of the lead is something they enjoy doing.
It is possible to get away with an easy lead and have plenty of energy for the stretch run if there is only one horse that enjoys racing on or near the early lead.
– See the workouts at the bottom of the previous performances for more information.
It’s also important to take note of a horse’s previous performances following a break.
– The career box, which can be found in the upper right corner of the past performances, provides you with information about the horse’s overall record.
Overall, he has earned $132,619 during his career.
The career box also contains information on a horse’s performance at the current track and distance he races at, as well as information on how he performs on a wet surface and on turf surfaces.
Make a comparison between these stats and the rest of the field to identify a potential winner.
This tool is designed to assist you in digesting the information and constructing your wager.- This exclusive pre-race analysis highlights horses and angles that will assist you in learning the art of handicapping and picking winning bets for the upcoming races.
Detailed running lines for each horse provide information about how a horse performed in his previous races.
Following that, there are a number of numbers indicating where a horse was positioned at various points during his previous race, which is usually in quarter-mile increments depending on the distance of the race.
At the end of the day, the last number on the running line tells you where he came in.
There are additional symbology and definitions as follows: The following definitions will assist you if you come across any of these terms on DRF’s entries page.
Races with a predetermined price (for example, $25,000) for which any horse in the race may be purchased are the most common type of racing.
As soon as the starting gate swings open, an aclaimed horse is transferred to a new owner, though any purse money earned during that race is transferred to the previous owner.
A step up from lower-level claiming races, allowance races have eligibility requirements that are very similar to lower-level claiming races, with the exception that horses are not sold at the conclusion of the race.
Racing in the Stakes- This is the most prestigious level of competition, reserved for the best horses.
It is customary for owners to pay an entry fee in order to nominate, enter, and race their horses.
Handicap Race- A race in which weights have been assigned by the racing secretary after taking into consideration the previous performances of the entrants To increase the chances of the less-accomplished horses in the field of competition, it is proposed to burden the horses with the best records.
A bet on a horse to win, place, and show across the board is known as an across the board bet.
If the horse wins three times, the player wins three times; if second, two times; and if third, one time, the player loses both the win and place bets.ALSO-ELIGIBLE- A horse that has been entered but is not permitted to start unless the field is reduced by scratches to a specified number of scratched horses.
- Apprentice jockeys are those who have not yet ridden for a full year after their 35th winner, or for some other time period specified by the racing rules of their respective states.
- When it comes to apprentice allowance or rider, “bug boy” is the colloquial term for the position.
- The backstretch is the section of the track that is straight between the turns of the track.
- BANDAGE- Strips of cloth that are wrapped around the lower part of a horse’s legs to provide support or protection against injury or illness.
- Finishing horses that are so close to one another that they appear to be “cover by a blanket.” You can box horses if you have two or more horses that you believe will finish in the top three positions, but you aren’t sure which horses will finish in which positions.
- The same method can be used to box a trifecta or a superfecta, and the results will be identical.
- WOD (WORKOUT)The best time for each distance on the workout line for a particular day, indicated by a black dot.
CHART CALLER- One who calls the running positions of the horses in a race (also known as a CALLER or CHART CHART).
Bettors who place wagers on their favorite teams or athletes CHECKED- A horse whose momentum is interrupted for a brief period of time by its jockey, usually because the horse is cut off or is in close quarters.
When the backstretch or home stretch is extended, it allows for a straightaway run from the starting line.
A CLOCKER is a person who keeps track of the time during workouts or races.
RIDERS WEAR COLORS- Racing silks (jacket and cap) to denote the owner(s) of a horse during a race.
Daily Doubles are a type of wager in which the winners of two races are selected.
DEAD HEAT: When two or more horses finish in a tie at the finish line, the race is considered to be dead.
Rider in stretch gives a lot of encouragement while driving.
Equipment includes a whip, blinkers, and other similar items of clothing.
MOTUEL PRICE HORSES PAY FOR EVERY $1 BETTED AT EQUIVALENT ODDS EXACTA- A wager in which the first two finishers in a race, in any order other than the exact order in which they crossed the finish line, must be chosen.
HORSE FILLY- Female horse that is four years old or less.
RACE FRACTIONAL TIME- Interval time recorded during a race, such as at the quarter-way point, half-way point, and so on.
THE FURLONG IS ONE-EIGHTH OF A MILE, 220 yards, and 660 feet in length.
The most prestigious races are those that have been rated.
One who assigns weights for handicap races is known as a handicapper.
IN THE WAGERING POOL- The total amount of money that has been bet into the pool.
MALE HORSE- A five-year-old or older ungelded male horse IN THE MONEY- Finishing first, second, or third in a race results in monetary rewards.
Lasix is a diuretic medication that is used to treat people who bleed excessively.
a race for non-winners, also known as the maiden race Mares must be 5 years old or older to be considered.
Horse that performs well on a muddy track is known as a MUDDER.
OBJECTION- Rider files a complaint of foul play.
A horse with odds less than even money is referred to as an odds-on favorite.
When the outcome has been confirmed, an official sign is displayed.
WHEN IT COMES TO FINISHING IN THE FIRST THREE, OR EVEN FIRST FOUR, ON THE BOARD ON THE NOSE- Putting all of your money on a horse that you think will win the race.
PACE- The rate at which early movement occurs in a race, particularly by the leader, is expressed as a percentage (setting the pace).
Parimutuel payout refers to the amount of money that each bettor will receive when their mutuel ticket is selected as the winner.
MY FINISHING PLACE- I came in second in a competition.
Starting point or position within the starting gate is denoted by the letter POST.
POST TIME- The time at which a race is scheduled to begin after it has been scheduled.
One-quarter mile from the finish line is the QUARTER POLE.
A FULL DAY’S RACE CARD at a single circuit is provided.
ROUTINE- Compete across a mile or greater distance.
CLOTH Beneath THE SADDLE- A piece of cloth that is placed under the saddle and on which a horse’s program number (and, in certain cases, its name) is printed.
ROLLER IN THE SHADOW- A lambswool-covered noseband worn halfway up a horse’s face to prevent him from seeing shadows on the ground.
SHOW BET- Place a bet on a horse to finish in the money, third or better, and win the race.
A horse’s father is referred to as its sire.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR USING THE STARTING GATE: The starting gate is a mechanical mechanism with partitions (stalls) for horses, in which they are contained until the starter releases the doors in front to start the race.
Stewards (also known as track officials) are those who are in charge of enforcing the regulations on the track.
Racecourse TAKEOUT- The proportion of tax collected from each betting pool at the track and allocated in accordance with applicable state legislation among the state, horsemen (purses), and racetrack.
TOUT- A person who provides tips about racehorses, generally in exchange for a personal benefit; the act of providing tips.
The Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes are all part of the Triple Crown, which is a sequence of three events.
Except in North America, where dirt is more popular, asphalt is the most prevalent racing surface in the world.
The finish line is marked with a WIRE signal. It’s a fictitious line drawn between the poles to represent the connection between them. PRODUCTION YIELDING- The difference in firmness and softness of the grass course
How to read horse racing form
Nevertheless, if you’re new to horseracing, the prospect of understanding a basic race card might be intimidating and even overwhelming. You’ll get the impression that the card is jam-packed with codes and language that makes no sense yet conceals critical information about what is likely to happen throughout the race. Fortunately, if you are familiar with the meanings of the codes and numbers on the cards, reading racing form becomes pretty straightforward. Once you’ve figured out what the data on the form means, the following difficulty you’ll encounter will be a little more difficult.
What is form in horse racing?
In horse racing, form refers to a horse’s previous track record of accomplishments. This can be monitored and displayed in a variety of ways, including the following:
- It is possible to evaluate a horse’s performances in every race it has competed in, across a range of race forms, during the course of its whole career if you have a comprehensive form of the horse. It is not possible to present this much information on a printed race card, which is why this sort of form is only available online. Rapid/recent form: The sort of form you’re most likely to encounter while betting on horse racing is known as “quick form.” In addition to the horse’s name appearing on the race card, this form is displayed next to the horse’s name and includes a brief review of the horse’s results over the course of its past five or six races. Customized form: Some betting and racing websites may have their own unique means of displaying form to their customers. These will almost always be more self-explanatory than a short or thorough form of the same information. Custom form displays are developed for novices, and they make form simple to comprehend and apply when forecasting how a horse will perform in a race.
This article will concentrate on the fast UK horse racing form format, which is also used by major British and European bookmakers and will be discussed in more detail later in this article. Please keep in mind that the type of form data supplied and the manner in which it is shown might differ significantly across nations with a strong horseracing tradition, such as the United States and Australia. Try your hand at horse racing betting at William Hill. Sign up for an account and receive a risk-free wager.
Horse racing recent form explained
Probably because your eyes have been drawn to the lines of numbers, characters, and symbols that appear beside every horse’s name on a race card, you’ve come across this article. Before we go into detail about how to interpret horse racing form, it’s vital to grasp what the numbers around the form represent. In part, this is due to the fact that some bookmakers and racing websites do not mark the form on race cards, and instead print the form with other figures that have nothing to do with the horse’s previous performance.
Finding the form
In the following, you will see an example of a single horse from a race card on a popular online racing website: Is it possible to identify the form? The shape is represented by the string of numbers to the left of the picture of red and white silks on this card: -31452. The single number above the form represents the horse’s starting position, also known as race number, in the race. Some bookies and racing websites will post additional numbers in addition to the form, either above or below it.
The quickest and most accurate approach to identify the form is to search for a string of six numbers, letters, and characters, and discard any numbers that are higher or lower than this string.
Horse racing form abbreviations, numbers, letters and symbols explained
Following your discovery of the form, you’ll need to figure out how to decode it.
As an illustration, we’ll utilize another horse from the same race card as the one we used before. The way it works is as follows:
- The results for the horses’ most recent races are represented by a list of six numbers and symbols. Listed in chronological sequence, with the oldest result appearing first and most current result appearing last, these results are displayed as follows: When a letter is used instead of a number, it signifies that the horse did not finish the race or that the outcome of the race was not valid, and the letter explains the reason why the horse’s race was terminated. Because it is not uncommon for jumps racehorses to fail to finish a race, these letters appear more frequently on National Hunt race cards
- Whenever you see a hyphen (the–symbol) or a forward slash (the/symbol), this does not indicate a race result at all. As an alternative, these represent various forms of breaks from racing.
The abbreviations for horse racing forms operate as follows:
- If the horse finished in the top nine, the numbers 1 – 9 reflect the horse’s finishing place. The number 0 denotes that the horse did not place among the top nine finishers. Two races on either side of it took held in separate calendar years, indicating that there was a hiatus between seasons in a single calendar year. The/symbol signifies a break from racing that is longer than the off-season (i.e., a break that is longer than the average gap between racing seasons).
The following are the most frequently used abbreviations:
- R– the horse refused (i.e., refused to leap over an obstacle)
- PorPU– the horse was pulled up by the jockey
- F– the horse fell during the race
- PorPU– the horse was pulled up by the jockey BD– the horse was knocked down after being struck by another horse while in the field. UorUR– the horse knocked the jockey from his mount
The following acronyms are used less commonly in both jumps and flat racing, and they are as follows:
- Slipped up
- HR
- Struck the rails
- L
- Was left at the start and did not participate in the race in any significant way
- O
- Ran outside of the approved racing route
- Slipped up
- Hit the rails It is possible that the horse was taken out by another horse, which resulted in it being pushed off the prescribed course
- D– the horse was disqualified
- V– the relevant race was invalidated for whatever reason (i.e. the race produced no results)
The meanings of these codes may be simply deciphered after you have a basic understanding of how to read a race card.
Contextual form data
Many internet race cards will offer some extra information about horse form elsewhere on the card in addition to the race results. In the event that data is available, a separate set of letters will be used to convey some information about the race that you are looking at that is relevant to the context in which it is being considered. Returning to the first scenario that we looked at earlier: Upon closer inspection of the image, you’ll notice that the letter “D” is printed on a grey backdrop beneath the horse’s name.
Most of the time, there will only be one or two abbreviations shown on the card.
- The horses in categories C and D have previously won at the course for this race, while the horses in category C has previously won over the distance for this event. In the case of CD, the horse has already won over this course and distance. BF– the horse was a favorite going into its most recent race, but was defeated by another horse
Putting it all together
As an example of how to interpret form from a race card, let us look at a rather difficult case taken from a big UK racing website. Consider the above example, in which the form reads 80-3P7. We may deduce that the horse is as follows:
- A final placing of 8th
- A placing outside the top 10
- Took a brief pause from racing
- Finished third
- Was unable to complete the race due to the vehicle being pulled over
- Finished in seventh place
Aside from that, we can tell from the letter “D” beneath the horse’s name that it has previously won over the distance that will be covered in this race.
What to look for in racing form
It is only half of the fight won when it comes to learning how to read horse racing form that you understand what the acronyms and numbers on the horse racing form signify. Once you’ve figured out how the horse has done in prior races, you’ll need to figure out what this implies for its chances in the race on which you’re going to place a wager.
Horse racing form analysis
To grasp rapid form, the most important thing to remember is that it is intended to provide you with a general overview of each horse in a field and is not generally sufficient in itself to make a selection of a horse to wager on. Racing form is most successful when it is used to limit down possible horses to study further, which is something you will need to do if you want to put a horse’s recent performances into context, which you will need to do if you want to put a horse’s recent performances into context.
These are some examples:
- In the case of a horse that fell in its most recent race, it is possible that it has incurred an injury or lost confidence, which will have an impact on how well it performs in the race on which you are betting
- The ‘bounce’ refers to the fact that horses returning after a hiatus would commonly run well in their first race after returning, only to perform poorly in their second race after returning
- In races 1-4, it may be expected that horses that have won or placed in one or more recent races are in good shape and will have enhanced chances in the race, all other factors being equal
- If a horse has won over the course and/or distance of the race you’re betting on, that horse has essentially already proven themselves to some level and deserves to be given a closer look
Additionally, you should avoid extrapolating too much from form indications that indicate bad results in one to three recent races. These are some examples:
- The terms P and PU refer to the fact that a jockey may pull up a horse for a variety of reasons that are not related to form, including, for example, as a precaution when an injury is suspected
- 0: a horse that finishes outside the top three places can do so for a variety of reasons that may or may not have an impact on its chances in the race you’re betting on. Among these include the length of the course, the circumstances or handicap to which the horse is not suited, jockey errors, or a combination of these factors
As a result of the above, you should scan a race card and pick two or three horses on the card that you believe have a chance to win the race using rapid form.
As soon as you have this information, you can begin conducting more in-depth research on each horse you are interested in. This should include the following items:
- Replays of recent races are being watched. Replays of races in which the horse did not perform well allow you to examine how the horse fared during the race and what mistakes were made by the trainer. Races in which the horse placed can indicate whether the horse lost pace towards the end of the race, or whether the horse was catching up with the leader and may have won over a longer course
- This is determined by taking the context of each race into consideration, which includes the following factors:
- The caliber of the field against which the horse was competing
- The distance traveled over the course of each race and how well it corresponded with the horse’s preferences
- There were handicaps used in certain races, and the horse’s preferences were taken into consideration
- Ground conditions for the race, as well as their impact on the horse’s performance
If all of this sounds like too much effort, you may rely on professional tipsters to guide you through the process of selecting your selections. Today’s race predictions are available on our Naps page, which includes predictions from the most respected horseracing specialists in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
FAQs
Every race card, whether it is published online or printed in a betting shop, has a quick form printed near the racehorse’s name in the bottom right corner. There are six numbers, characters, and symbols in this sequence that represent the horse’s most recent performance.
Does horse form show all races?
Horse form is only displayed for the horse’s six most recent races in which it competed. This implies that for horses who are just beginning their careers, the form will include information on all of their races. It is, however, simply an indicator of their past six outcomes for the vast majority of horses in the field.
What is the best horse racing form guide?
The Racing Post, which is available both in print and online, is the greatest free horse racing form guide in the United Kingdom. The standard quick form is printed on every race card at the Racing Post, and it is also available online. You may also view each horse’s entire racing record by clicking on its name, which will take you to the full results for every race in which the horse has competed.
What is the best site for horse racing form?
The Racing Post is the greatest free horse racing form website because it provides in-depth form data on thousands of flat and national hunt racehorses who are currently in action across the world.
Can you recommend horse racing form software?
In order to assist you find horses to bet on, a lot of applications and systems are available that promise to be capable of crunching the data and identifying them. Custom form displays are also available on many websites, allowing gamblers to access a greater depth of form information in an easy-to-understand style. We are unable to propose a specific software system for reading form data. You’ll need to experiment with several choices to find which one works best for you. Keep in mind that there is no substitute for thorough form study on specific horses.
How important is form in racing?
Horse racing betting and form are inextricably linked. You have virtually no information available to you to determine how a horse will perform in a specific race if you do not have access to its form. Form, on the other hand, will be more important in some races than in others. Because 2-year-olds often have a limited racing record and might undergo significant changes in form as they grow over the course of a season, form is less important in juvenile races, where it is more important in older events.
What does0mean in horse racing form?
0indicates that the horse finished outside of the top nine in the relevant race (see definition below).
What does-mean in horse racing form?
The letter A indicates that the horse has taken a vacation from racing between seasons.
This sign may also be used to distinguish between two race results that took place in separate years by placing them between them.
What does/mean in horse racing form?
A/symbol indicates that a horse has had a long hiatus from racing activities. This is often a lengthier layoff than the regular off-season vacations that horses take between racing seasons, and it is frequently the result of an injury.
What doesBmean in horse racing form?
B, which may be written as BD, is an abbreviation for ‘brought down.’ As a result of a contact with another horse that caused it to fall, the horse did not finish the race.
What doesPmean in horse racing form?
The letter P, which can alternatively be spelled as PU, indicates that the horse was pulled up during the race. This indicates that the jockey purposefully brings the horse’s race to a close.
What doesPUmean in horse racing form?
The abbreviation PU, which may alternatively be written asP, indicates that the horse was pulled up during the race and did not finish. Horses are hauled up by their jockeys when they determine that the horse will not be able to finish the race for whatever reason.
What doesFmean in horse racing form?
Findicates that the horse fell during the course of the race and was unable to finish the race as planned. It should be noted that horses who fall during races may continue to run the course without the rider, and that they are still considered fallers even if they cross the finish line before the rider.
What doesRmean in horse racing form?
The letterRin form indicates that the horse refused to leap or that the horse drew up short of a jump without taking the jump, respectively.
What doesBDmean in horse racing form?
A horse has fallen during the course of a race as a result of a collision with another horse, which is represented by the letter BD.
What doesUmean in horse racing form?
When a jockey becomes displaced from his or her horse’s saddle during a race, it is referred to as a U, which is also written as UR.
What doesURmean in horse racing form?
The letter UR, which can alternatively be spelt as U, indicates that the jockey was thrown from the horse’s saddle during the course of the race.
What doesCmean in horse racing form?
It is included in the six numbers that make up recent form if the horse was forced off the authorized race track during a race by another horse, which indicates that the horse was pushed off the designated race course. When a horse’s recent form data are not provided, it indicates that the horse has already won on the racetrack where it is scheduled to run next.
What doesDmean in horse racing form?
Including D in the six digits that make up recent form indicates that the horse was disqualified from the race following an investigation by the stewards following the event. When a horse’s recent form data are not provided, it indicates that the horse has already won over the distance over which it is scheduled to run next.
What doesCDmean in horse racing form?
CD indicates that the horse has previously won a race over the same course and distance as the one in which it would be racing the following time.
What doesBFmean in horse racing form?
BFindicates that the horse was the favorite in its most recent race, but was defeated in that event as well.
What doesHRmean in horse racing form?
HR denotes that the horse collided with the guide rails that run beside the racecourse and was unable to complete the race as a result of the collision.
What doesLmean in horse racing form?
L indicates that the horse was abandoned at the start. In other words, the horse either refused to leave its starting place in the race or was unable to leave its starting position.
What doesOmean in horse racing form?
This indicates that the horse completed the course.
For want of a better term, the horse ran beyond the designated course specified for the race, using the rails that ran beside the racecourse.
What doesSmean in horse racing form?
This indicates that the horse made a mistake during the race and was unable to finish it as a result of it.
What doesVmean in horse racing form?
The letter V indicates that the race’s outcome has been thrown out. In other words, something happened during the race that resulted in the entire race result being thrown out and disqualified from consideration. Try your hand at horse racing betting at William Hill. Sign up for an account and receive a risk-free wager.