The Fundamentals Flashcards
Fundamentals of Handicapping based on James Quinn's book "The Complete Handicapper"
What are the four fundamentals in handicapping?
Speed, Class, Pace, and Form
What are the three attributes of Thoroughbred class?
Speed, Stamina, and Determination
What are the new indicators of evaluating class?
- Speed figures
- Pace ratings
- Patterns of improvement
- Performance and graded stakes
What are speed figures useful for?
Speed figures are useful for comparing horses that have run on different days, at different distances, and a different race tracks.
What is track variance?
Track variance is deviations from the expected track-surface speed
What are par times?
The average time a particular class of Thoroughbreds can be expected to run a particular distance at a particular track.
Between speed and class, which do maiden races favor?
Speed
Between speed and class, which do maiden claiming races favor?
Class
Between speed and class, which do claiming races favor?
Speed
Between speed and class, which do allowance races favor
Class
Between speed and class, which do stakes races favor
Some combination of speed and class
Between speed and class, which do sprints favor?
Speed
Between speed and class, which do routes favor?
Class
Between speed and class, which do races on dirt favor?
Speed
Between speed and class, which do races on turf favor
Class
What is the expected Beyer par for maden males 3UP in New York and Southern California?
2 lengths in sprints
3 lengths in routes
What is the Beyer equivalent for one length?
2-1/2 points in springs
2 points in routes
What is the expected Beyer par for maiden females 3UP in New York and Southern California?
83 in sprints
82 in routes
Par begin equal, in Maiden Races of 3UP, which horses are generally difficult for first starters to beat?
Second starters
What criteria improves the chances of first starters in 3UP Maiden Races?
- Trainer wins 11% of first starters since January of preceding calendar year
- Sire wins with 11% of first starters
- 2 or 3 sharp workouts
What extra credit should you give first starters in 3UP Maiden Races?
Trainer wins 20% of their first starters since January of the preceding calendar year.
What is considered a sharp workout?
12 seconds per furlong 4 furlongs faster than 48 seconds 5 furlongs faster than 1:00 6 furlongs faster than 1:13 7 furlongs faster than 1:27
What sort of workouts should you look for in 3UP Maiden Races?
2 or more sharp workouts without special urging
Given the trainer-sire-workout criteria, when should you bet on high priced maidens in 3UP Maiden races?
When experienced maidens remain below par and second starters do not project to par
