By times are speed figures or actual times with which the average winner wins in a particular race class and distance. For example, a $10,000 6 furlongs event for kids ages 4 and up could have a par of 1:10, which means one minute and ten seconds and a par of 88 (speed figure). The speed figure can be a Beyer speed figure or another method can be used to calculate it using proprietary software.

They are also used for fractions or segments of the race, such as a pair of 80/92/89. That would mean that the eventual winner of the race ran the first section or quarter of the race in 80, the second quarter in 92, and the last quarter in 89. Looking at the expected pace of each runner would give you an idea of ​​which horses are best suited for the race. winning pace profile for the race.

Of course, in a perfect world, the horses would always run exactly the same and you would win all your bets, but this is the reality of horse racing, so we know that’s not going to happen. Making any kind of profit betting on horses, even with information as sophisticated as this, is still very difficult.

On the other hand, before the race starts it is good to think that you know exactly how the runners will run and where they will be during each quarter of the race.

Once the door opens and the pandemonium begins and you get that sinking feeling in your stomach, well, that’s when you realize that times and pace and speed figures are just a guide. However, they are useful and should not be overlooked as a disability tool. A good way to use them is to look for horses that have run a recent race where they have posted par times on each split as well as the final time.

Using the example of the par times and pace pairs above, any horse that has set those pace pairs and also the final time of a race would be considered a contender. Since this isn’t an exact science, you might want to allow a bit of wiggle room and say that any horse that came within a second or two of those times was also a possibility.

With younger horses, these methods should be considered a rough guide because young horses are still improving and values ​​set in earlier breeds may not indicate what they are capable of today. However, when it comes to handicap breeds for older horses, many have already peaked and the times seen in previous breeds are the best one can hope for.