| Horse Racing Handicapping Using Speed Figures | | | | preferably the same surface as today's race. One |
| and Average Speed Figures | | | | of the many reasons for that is that a horse that |
| Whether you are handicapping harness races or | | | | is lame or sore may post a high speed figure on a |
| thoroughbred races, speed figures can be very | | | | soft turf course, but do considerably worse on a |
| helpful, but also misleading. Just using speed figures | | | | hard dirt surface. So I like to see a race on the |
| alone to pick winners will usually result in long term | | | | same surface under the same conditions. |
| losses, though they may make a profit on one | | | | My next consideration is whether or not that race |
| day or another. Horse races are multi-faceted | | | | was typical of the horse or for some reason, |
| events that depend on many factors. | | | | atypical. While Standardbreds and usually more |
| You cannot add a column of numbers and come | | | | consistent than Thoroughbreds, either breed may |
| up with the right amount unless you know all the | | | | have an unusually fast race from time to time |
| numbers in the column and you cannot handicap a | | | | based on the trip and other conditions that I may |
| harness race or thoroughbred race without all the | | | | not be aware of. On the other hand, if I see that |
| factors. Those factors also have to be weighted | | | | the speed rating was within the normal to high |
| and the reason that we rely so heavily on speed | | | | side of the horse's usual speed then I know that |
| figures is because they are one of the more | | | | it was not a fluke. |
| important factors. | | | | That is why I like to always compare the last |
| But how you use speed figures is very important, | | | | speed rating to the average for the horse over a |
| because they can lead you far astray if you do | | | | reasonable period of time. A horse with a speed |
| not know how to compare them. I like to look at | | | | rating out of its own range will make me dig |
| speed figures in two different ways. | | | | deeper and occasionally, if I can't find a suitable |
| The first thing I want to know is, "What have | | | | reason, I will skip the race. But bear in mind that |
| you done for me lately?" To answer that question | | | | no matter what the speed figures do show, they |
| I look at the horse's latest race and speed figure. | | | | are still only a part of the overall picture. |
| Of course, I want to see it on a fast track and | | | | |