The Picks and Plays report is laid out in an extremely easy to use format. The following information is presented to help you get started.

The Race Detail Line

The Race Detail Heading begins with the race number followed by the race distance and surface. Next is the Race Purse and Type of race. For claiming races, the highest claiming price for the race is printed in parenthesis. Age and sex restrictions are listed after the Race Type.

The Entry Detail Line

The entry detail line begins with Program Number ("Pgm #") and "Horse's Name". Next is the horse's age ("Age") in years (remember all Thoroughbreds have their birthday on January 1st each year), and sex ("Sex" = colt; horse; gelding; ridgling; filly or mare). Then we list the extra weight to be carried ("Wgt") and the number of days since the horse's last race ("Days Off").

All ratings have a maximum value of 100 points. "Speed" is the velocity based rating of horse's typical performance. "1st Pace" is the velocity based rating of how the horse typically uses its early speed while "2nd Pace" is the velocity based rating of how the horse uses its closing speed. "Class" is the rating of the horse's fitness to compete at this level of racing at this track.

Next is the expected post position ("Post #") with computed rating for this position ("Post Pts") followed by "Jockey" and rating ("Pts") and "Trainer" with rating ("Pts"). The horse's "Total Score" is the sum of the previous ratings.

The Morning Line Odds ("Line") are the odds to $1.00 established by the track's Racing Secretary and are used as the starting point for each entry. The actual odds will vary up until race time based on all wagers made on the race.

Some very useful information is listed under the "Flags" heading. Horses using Lasix for the first or second time will have an entry of "L" or "L2" respectively. Horses with off-track in the money finishes will have the symbol "^". Horses with a "bullet" workout (fastest workout time at that track on that day) since their last race will be indicated by an "*". A "±" signifies a change in trainer since the horse's last race. Horses with "Ø" appearing under this heading are "first time starters." For the purposes of Picks and Plays, a first time starter is any horse making its first qualified appearance at a North American track. This includes horses entering their first race, horses entering North American racing from foreign countries, horses whose only previous races were at non-standard distances for Thoroughbreds, and horses whose previous outings were not ratable due to injury or mishap.

Please note: Picks and Plays does not compute Speed or Pace ratings for First Time Starters. This limited rating causes all first time starters to be ranked lower than fully rated entries, even though they may be equal to or superior to higher rated horses. Any First Time Starter entry at or near the 45 point Total Score rating (maximum possible for a first time starter) deserves a close look.

While every attempt is made to insure the accuracy of the program number, an official race program should be consulted before placing any wagers based on program number.

Ranking Order and Relativity

All horses entered in the races are "ranked", that is listed in order from highest to lowest Total Score rating. It is possible for 2 or more horses to have the same Total rating and therefore be of the same rank. In this instance the order in which the entries are printed is not an indication of preference.

The ratings are relative to the other entries in the same race. The entry with the highest rating in each category is given the maximum value for that category. A horse with a Speed rating of 100 in a $10,000.00 claiming race is not equivalent to a horse with a Speed rating of 100 entered in a Graded Stakes race. You should adjust the Post Position rating and Total Score rating in the event of scratches as this could have significant impact on the ranking order.

Although the Picks and Plays Report was developed as a research tool, not as a "tip sheet", about one out of every three races is won by our top ranked entry, about half are won by one of the top two ranked entries and about two thirds of all races are won by one of the top three ranked entries. These approximations exclude races won by first time starters.

Velocity Based Handicapping

The computations for Speed and Pace ratings are velocity based. Velocity handicapping allows us to take fractional times and distances ran and convert to the actual feet per second velocity. In these calculations, we use tenths of a second instead of fifths, and actual physical distances instead of traditional lengths, partial lengths, necks, heads and noses.

There are many theories of handicapping. Some clients may prefer to base their selections on the best Speed, Pace or Class rating, or a combination thereof. Others may choose to go with the best Jockey or Trainer. No matter how you choose to use our report, our goal is to deliver the best information possible.

Please view our
Frequently Asked Questions section and our
Wagering Primer for more helpful information.