How do you know what class your horse is?

How do I know where my horse will race competitively?

As a horseman it’s always key to know where your horse will race competitively. Speed and class ratings are perfect for keeping track of how your horse is performing and sizing up the fields he’ll be running in.

Does the class of a horse tell you anything?

Class usually tells in a race, but most handicappers treat it lightly. Or on the other hand, put too much emphasis on it. Just because a horse ran in an Allowance race, doesn’t make him an Allowance horse. In order for a horse to attain a certain class, it must have performed well at that level.

How do I Find my Horse’s class rating?

This is going from his first race from the left to right. On the Bottom — The Class Rating Chart from Know Your Horses. This is also going from his first race from left to right. On the Bottom, overlayed on top of the Class Rating Chart, the distance the horse runs.

What do we look for when buying a horse?

Bloodlines, conformation, soundness, temperament, what the horse will be used for, all this and more are taken into account. You can have two horses of the same or comparable breeding, yet they can be valued much differently. For instance, let’s say we have a brother and sister from the same bloodline, a year apart.

How does the Digest determine the number of horses in races?

The Digest does this by designating a number, anywhere from 75 to 210, to each race. The higher the number, the stronger the race. For the most part, each class receives a number that remains constant. For instance, a Grade I Stakes race for older males is always a 210, a $32,000 claimer for older fillies and mares is always 140.

What is the difference between Grade 1 and Grade 2 horses?

A Grade I race for older males has an RCL of 210, with Grade II older males receiving a 205. Since the Grade I race is five points higher than a Grade II race, the Grade I race is considered to be one class level stronger than a Grade II race.

How do you know if a horse is competitive?

In the race sheet headers you can find the Race Class Level where the horse has recently been competitive (finished 5th or better and within 5 lengths of the winner) within the last 90 days. An “x” in this column indicates a horse hasn’t been competitive at any level recently.

What is a good class rating for a horse?

For example, since the class rating can be thought of as a par speed figure for a race, a horse that can run speed figures of 80 or better would have a great shot at winning any race with a class rating of 80. Look at a horse’s recent speed ratings or an average of past ratings to compare against today’s class rating.

How do I find a horse’s race level?

Recent Race Level (found in Column 3 in the race sheet header) is the Race level of the horse’s last race. Compare this number to the Race level in the Race Header to quickly determine whether the horse is up or down in class.

How do you calculate the class rating for a horse race?

You add the number found in the Class Rating Chart and the Class Rating Adjustment Chart together 10 + 0 = 10. The Class rating for a $25,000 Claiming race at Hollywood Park is 10. Now, do the same procedure for the race at Golden Gate.

What should I look for at a horse viewing?

At the viewing, observe the horse being handled; check the general health of the horse including body condition, hooves and legs, look for any old injuries or any abnormalities. Do not be worried to ask what things are; it is better to ask extra questions than too few.

Why are there numbers in horse racing?

By assigning a numerical value to a race it allows the you to easily discern the quality of one class of horses from another. The Digest does this by designating a number, anywhere from 75 to 210, to each race.

What makes today’s Racing Digest different?

One of the unique features of Today’s Racing Digest’s race sheets is the race header. The Digest experts go through all of the past performances for each of the horses and select the performances that are most representative to today’s race distance, surface and class level.

What determines a horse’s running style?

Most horses have one particular running style early in the race. The speed at which the race is run (pace scenario) tend to favor one horse’s running style over another. How the race is run early often dictates which horse will prevail at the finish line.

How does the Digest determine the strength of a race?

The Digest does this by designating a number, anywhere from 75 to 210, to each race. The higher the number, the stronger the race. For the most part, each class receives a number that remains constant.

What is a Grade 1 horse race?

Grade 1 races include the Triple Crown series and the Breeders’ Cup races. Horses running in these competitions are the cream of the crop, and a horse who runs well at this level but can’t seem to win might be victorious if it drops to a lower grade of race.

What does Grade 3 mean in horse racing?

Grade 3 races are the next tier down, and include major handicap races. Some of these, like the Grand National, can attract more interest and pay larger prizes than higher grade races. Listed races are ranked just below Graded races, with the quality of competitors reflecting the prize money and status of the race.

How are horse racing grades determined?

The grades are reviewed each year based on the performances of the horses coming out from those races and are adjusted upward or downward as necessary. Most midsize tracks will have at least one Grade 3 race, while big tracks like Belmont Park, Keeneland, Churchill Downs, and Santa Anita have several of all grades.

What is the difference between Class 3 and Class 4 horses?

Class 3 races are worth more money that Class 4, for example, but in order to race at the higher class the horse needs to be of a particular rating. Flat racing has three distinct bands, the Classics, Class 1 and Classes 2-7. The Classics are the pinnacle of the sport and are for three-year-olds only.

How can you tell if a horse is ready to run?

APPEARANCE: a horse’s coat and body shape reveals a lot. Eventer and H&H blogger Rosie Fry says: “You can tell if a horse is ready to run as he will look well and ‘hard’ in his condition. His coat will shine and his muscles will ripple.”

What is the speed rating of horse a?

Consider The Following Horse A has a speed rating of 87 and a class rating of 7. Horse B has a speed of 87 and a class rating of 9. It should be obvious that Horse A has a 2 class level edge over Horse B.

What is a good class rating for a horse race?

So if a race is given a class rating of 80, a horse that can run that speed ratings of 80 or better would have a great shot at winning the race. Look at a horse’s recent speed ratings or an average of past ratings to compare against today’s class rating.

What is the race level for each race?

The Race Level for each race is listed in the top right hand side of the race sheets. This is the number that relates to today’s conditions and should be compared with the other class based ratings in the race sheets to determine a horse’s ability to compete in today’s race class level. In the example on the left, the Race Level is 125.