Archive for the Figures Category

TimeformUS Speed Figures – Explained and Contrasted to Beyer Figs

In a prior article we introduced TimeformUS as “The new racing form in town!”  Click here to read our overview of TimeformUS and our list of top ten features.  Included in the list of features we provided was “Speed figures that incorporate pace into the calculation.” In this article we will explain TimeformUs speed figures and provide an example of a specific race at Saratoga to illustrate how they differ from Beyer Speed Figures.

The race we will be using in our article is the Grade 2, Bernard Baruch Handicap run at Saratoga on August 30,2014.  The race was run at a distance of 1^1/16 mile (8.5 furlongs) over a firm turf course.  We are going to focus on the resulting TimeformUS speed figures for three horses in this race.  The horses are Sayaad (#9), Optimizer (#2), and Wise Dan (#4).

In order to better understand our explanation of the speed figures, it will be quite helpful to watch the video replay of the race and take note of the race call provided by Tom Durkin and the position of our three horses during the running of the race.  Below is the video race replay.

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Understanding Beyer Speed Figures

Beyer Speed Figures appear in the Daily Racing Form for races run in North America.  These Figures represent a relative measure of how fast a horse finished in a prior race.  The higher the number the faster the horse ran.  The calculation of these figures is based on a formula created by Andrew Beyer and incorporated into the DRF starting in 1992.  These Figures continue to be calculated by a group of individuals working on behalf of Andy Beyer. Read More >>

Pace Figures In Action

In a prior article we introduced the concept of Pace Figures and demonstrated an example with the Preakness winner Oxbow on how important they are in evaluating a race.  Click here for a review of that article.  On Saturday, July 27 I sent a text to my handicapper friend Vince saying “I think Kauai Katie is beatable today.”  My thinking was based on the Pace Figures for the race, and my presumption that she is a “need to lead” type of horse.  By that I mean a horse that needs to set an uncontested early pace to do their best running.  Often, this type of horse gets discouraged if they are pressured early in the race.

First, in case you aren’t familiar with the race outcome, let me set the stage.  Kauai Katie opened up at 1-9 odds, and remained that way for a long time.  At post time she went off at 2-5 odds.  A heavy favorite. Read More >>

Learning About Pace and Moss Pace Figures

If you spend much time at the race track, it’s only a matter of time before you hear a horseplayer say, “Pace Makes the Race.”  It’s one of those timeless maxims that has forever been a part of racing and will forever be a part of racing.  Entering a race, trainers and jockeys are well aware of the running style for their horse and generally for the other horses involved in the race.  For similar reasons, it’s a good idea as a horseplayer to have the same awareness when handicapping a race. Read More >>