TimeformUS Past Performances got another upgrade this week with the addition of Race Ratings.
TimeformUS Race Ratings are designed to let you easily understand the quality of a race. They are a simple way to understand if a horse is facing a significant change in the level of competition he’s used to facing.
Related: How to use Race Ratings
Based on the race entrants’ recent speed figures, the Race Rating is designed to approximate the average quality of the major contenders in the race. The Race Rating is not an indication of the speed figure required to win the race.
The Race Rating are on the same scale as the TimeformUS Speed Figures, which top out in the high 140s. They appear in two places:
1) In the Abbreviated Race Condition Headers
In the Abbreviated Race Condition Headers, we make ratings for all races except maiden races with more than one first time starter.
2) In a horse’s running lines
In the running lines, we make Race Ratings for every race that was run with a minimum of three horses.
It’s important to note that Race Rating can change after a race has been run. The rating we use in the Abbreviated Race Conditions Header is an approximation based on the recent performance of the top contenders. The rating we use in the running lines factors in actual performance after the race was run.
In the above example, Game On Dude has been running in races in the mid to high 120s. Today’s race has a rating of 122, suggesting that he’s facing similar to slightly easier competition than what he’s been facing.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: What scale are the Race Ratings on?
A: Just like our speed figures, the the Race Ratings are on the global Timeform scale, which tops out in the high 140s.
Q: Does the Race Rating represent the speed figure required to win the race?
A: No, the Race Rating you see in the Abbreviated Race Conditions Header is designed to approximate the average quality of the major contenders in the race.
Q: Can Race Ratings change after a race?
A: Yes. Using the example of the Hollywood Gold Cup above, we’ve created a Race Rating of 122. Remember this is based on the recent performance of the race’s top contenders. After this race is run, we’ll have information based on actual performance, and we’ll adjust the rating accordingly. So when you see Game On Dude run back, the Race Rating in his past performances for the Hollywood Gold Cup may not be a 122.
Q: Why are some of the Race Rating boxes colored?
A: Colored Race Rating Boxes designate a bias on the track for that day. These are races where we’ve identified the following track tendencies:
Red: The track significantly favored speed that day
Light Red: The track favored speed that day, but not as strongly as in the solid red-coded races
Blue: The track significantly favored closers that day
Light Blue: The track favored closers that day, but not as strongly as in the solid blue-coded races
White: No noticeable track trend.
To find out more click here
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Can you advise what the letter “f” means beside the race rating for a specific horse. Example: 8/27/2018, Mountaineer horse #4 race rating 62f.
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• f – First Timers/Lightly Raced – The race was loaded with horses racing for the first time or with very few starts. If a turf or synthetic track race, there could be little to no form on the surface. This is never reason alone to mark a race as questionable. It is usually combined with other factors. For example, a 2yo maiden special weight race with first time starters only and it is the only dirt sprint on the card.
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I have purchased timeform us for the Ky. Derby . . I need to know how the 5 “check marks” are arrived at and how to interpret and compare them
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They’re based primarily on our Speed Figures, it’s an automated algorithm that looks at recent races with some consideration of distance and surface. As part of the package you will have access to expansive analysis on all horses next week that is more sophisticated than the automated algorithm.
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