What is a good pace in horse racing?

How do you factor pace in a race?

“How will the race unfold?” is the first question of pace, but “Who will it benefit?” is the answer you’re trying to get to. When you start to factor pace, you start to look at the race as a whole instead of solely at the individual entrants. At this point, you might already have a preliminary opinion about each of the horses.

How do I get my horse to take longer steps?

* Think about how you are using your aids-if you alternate your leg aids you can encourage your horse to take longer steps but you must get your timing correct. As your horse walks along you should be able to feel his belly swinging from side to side.

How important is the speed figure in a horse’s performance?

The speed figure is extremely useful to determine the quality of a horse, but proponents of pace handicapping will argue that the way the race unfolds will be a bigger determinant on the performance of the horse than his past speed figure.

What factors should be taken into account when analysing a horse race?

When analysing a horse race it is important to take into consideration all of the ‘external’ factors such as draw, pace, trainer behaviour and sire statistics etc.

How to determine the pace style of horses?

To determine the pace style of horses, the first thing is to look at his past performance and the running lines in his past races. The running line is the progression of his place in the race compared to other horses.

Why is it so hard for horses to run fast?

The turf course is soft or yielding, meaning that the horses will sink deeper into the track than usual. Therefore the horse requires much more energy to run fast — and endurance becomes a bigger factor than speed of the horse. Essentially these conditions make it hard for “explosive” speed horses to fully meet their full potential.

How does turf racing affect a horse’s performance?

The turf course is soft or yielding, meaning that the horses will sink deeper into the track than usual. Therefore the horse requires much more energy to run fast — and endurance becomes a bigger factor than speed of the horse.

How much faster is a slower horse in horse racing?

Again, if a horse is ten lengths in front of another, the slower horse will have a speed figure ten points lower. The time will be approximately 2 seconds flat. Being aware of both sets of speed figures will help improve your winnings at the track.

What is the personality of a race horse?

Horse Breed Personalities. Thoroughbred: Thoroughbred horses are generally high strung and energetic. A Thoroughbred is an excellent breed for a race horse. A Thoroughbred may prove dangerous on a trail ride as the horse may be easily spooked by a snake, sudden loud noise or the snap of a tree limb.

What happens when a horse runs on hard turf?

The turf becomes hard, meaning there’s less ‘give’ under the horse’s foot than usual. As the horse runs through these conditions, every step is increasingly harder underfoot. In such circumstances the hardened turf replicates the conditions of a dirt course, and the horses accustomed to regular turf often struggle as a consequence.

How does the weather affect turf racing?

In Europe turf racing is considered the norm and it’s heavily affected by weather conditions. Rainfall has huge influence on UK turf racecourses. Particularly if… There’s been too little rain. The turf becomes hard, meaning there’s less ‘give’ under the horse’s foot than usual.

How do horse races work on turf?

High-octane speed horses such as Presious Passion are the exception on the turf. Turf runners are much better at relaxing during the race, generally making their moves in the last three-eighths of a mile, which is why it is common for turf races to finish with most of the field within a few lengths of each other.

Should you use an overall speed rating for a horse?

However, there is a catch. Using an overall speed rating for a horse will not provide a good indication of how a horse will perform in a specific race. That’s because factors like ground and distance are likely to have a substantial impact on a horse’s speed in particular conditions.

How are horse speed figures calculated?

Horses who finished behind the winner had their figures calculated by how many lengths behind they finished, taking two points off for each length behind in a route race and three points per length in a sprint. It takes time, but handicappers can craft their own speed figures.

How long does a horse run in a two-year-old year?

There is a large increase in racing distance over the course of a horse’s two- year-old year. In the spring of the two-year-old year, horses compete in short sprint races between 4 1/2 furlongs and 6 furlongs. Typically a two-year-old will not run a route race (8 furlongs or longer) until the fall.

Why do horses run slower on the inside track?

When a dead rail occurs, the horse will actually run slower than it should have in the rail position. This could be attributed to a softer surface on the inside track. The weather will obviously affect all horses the same if they are in the same race, but from race to race, the weather can change things dramatically.

Why don’t explosive speed horses run on turf?

That in turn means that endurance is a bigger factor, and that the impact of speed is less significant because it is hard for explosive speed horses to build their speed. If a turf track is too wet they won’t run on it – both to preserve the horses and the surface.

How do you rate a horse’s speed?

The Average Speed rating the horse as produced in it’s career. The Median Speed rating the horse as produced in it’s last X amount of runs. The Average Speed rating the horse as produced in it’s last X amount of runs. The Last Time Out Speed rating the horse achieved.

What does the speed rating of a horse mean?

The Median Speed rating the horse as produced in it’s career. The Average Speed rating the horse as produced in it’s career. The Median Speed rating the horse as produced in it’s last X amount of runs. The Average Speed rating the horse as produced in it’s last X amount of runs.

How does our horse rating system work?

Our software uses thousands of criteria and algorithms to produce a rating for each horse in every race, all UK & Irish races are covered daily Our Top Rated horses win 31% of races, so this is a great starting point for anyone looking to develop their own systems

What is a horse’s stride rate?

The stride rate or turnover ratio is the number of strides a racehorse completes in a given time. Most racehorses’ stride rate is between 130 and 140 strides per minute. The fastest horses can speed up their stride rate without shortening it.