How To Read A Thoroughbred
Horse Racing Program
Would you walk into a horse track for the first time and throw down a multi-hundred dollar bet on the horse with the cutest name?
We would hope not. The best way to place the smartest horse racing bet is to have good sturdy knowledge of how to read a horse racing program. A thoroughbred horse racing program has the ins and outs of the race, the horses, their past performances, and the jockey.
AmWager wants everyone to walk away a winner at the track so we have put together this easy to read guide to show both first timers and those who may be a little rusty how to read a horse racing program.
HOW TO READ A RACING PROGRAM
Just hover your cursor on each of the LETTERS and NUMBERS shown on the sample horse racing program below to see the parts of the program.
Click down each parts to understand each detailed description.
| Race Details | |
|---|---|
A | Date and Time of the race. Approximate Post Time of a race indicates the estimated time at which a specific race is scheduled to start. |
B | Wagers Available shows the type of wager you can use to bet in that specific race including the exotic bets. |
C | Race Number signifies the sequence of the race within the day. So, the race with number race 1 is the first race for that day. |
D | Track Diagram shows the layout, shape of the track and visualizes the distance and path of the race. |
E | Track Name it is the name of the track. We also offer a list of racetracks for you to view and familiarize. |
F | QR Code contains all the latest changes and updates about the race including scratches, changes in pre-race, and results in post-races. |
G | Race Rating is an estimate of what the winner of today's race will earn for an |
H | Space for Notes for win, place and show. |
I | Race Type is literally what type of race is the event about. To learn more, click and read the bottom of the Horse Racing Types page.
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J | Race Condition includes the purse, detailed description of the race, age restriction/condition, weight assignments, claiming condition and distance of the race.
Purse is the prize money of the race. |
K | Track Record Holder contains the track record holder information including the horse's name, his age, the weight carried and the time and the horse's race record (wins, places, shows).This will reflect the record on the same surface at the same distance by the same breed type. |
Equibase Speed Figure (Thoroughbred) and assumes that the winner will perform a "best effort."| Horse Details and Past Performance | |
|---|---|
1 | Program Number is the number assigned for each horse which the bettor can use for wagering. When placing a bet, the bettor will choose each horse based on its assigned program number. Sometimes the program number is the same with the post position of the horse but not necessarily the same. Post positions can change but program numbers do not. |
2 | Saddle Cloth Color indicates the color cloth the horse will have under his saddle. |
3 | Morning Line Odds or ML odds are not based on actual bets but rather to the odds set by the track odds maker. This is an estimate of what the odd's maker believes the horses will have as their final odds when the horses leave the post. It usually gets posted the night before the race or early in the morning before the race. |
4 | Claiming Price is a pre-determined amount set by the race conditions that represents the horse's sale price if claimed by a new owner. |
5 | Owner of the horse and Silks Information |
6 | Silks are the colorful jackets worn by the jockeys during the race. It is to easily identify the owner or stable that owns the horse during the race. |
7 | Trainer of the horse and his statistics showing the starts, wins, places and shows. |
8 | Name of the Horse participating in the race. |
9 | Medication & Equipment indicates the types of medication and equipment the horse will be using. Medication will always be listed with a capital letter.
Medication: B - Bute L - Lasix A - Adjunct Medication C - 1st Time Bute M - 1st Time Lasix Equipment: a - Aluminum Pads b - Blinkers c - Mud Caulks d - Glued Shoes e - Inner rims f - Front Bandages g - Goggles h - Outer Rims i - Inserts j - Aluminum Pad k - Flipping Halter l - Bar Shoes m - Blocks n - No Whip o - Blinker Off p - Pads q - Nasal Strip Off r - Bar Shoe s - Nasal Strip t - Turndowns u - Spurs w - Queen's Plates y - No Shoes z - Tongue Tie 1 - Running W's 2 - Screens 3 - Shields |
10 | Horse's Color: (b) bay (bl) black (br) brown (ch) chestnut (gr) grey (ro) roan (wh) white
Horse's Gender: (g) Gelding is a male horse that has been castrated (had its testicles removed) reducing its aggressive or unruly behavior that can come with hormones, making them more focused in races. A male horse that cannot breed but often have long racing careers because their temperament is more manageable. (c) colt is a young male horse that has not been gelded (f) filly is used primarily to describe female horses that have not yet matured or reached the age of breeding eligibility. Typically under four years old in horse racing contexts (under five years old in some other horse disciplines) (m) mare is an adult female horse, generally four years old or older in horse racing and breeding contexts. (r) rig is a male horse with one or both testicles undescended (cryptorchidism). This means the testicles are either partially descended or remain in the abdominal cavity. Rigs still produce testosterone, often leading them to exhibit stallion-like behavior (aggression, dominance). In some cases, rigs can undergo surgery to remove the retained testicles, after which they would technically be classified as geldings.
Age of the Horse
Sire or the horse's father and Dam or the horse's mother. |
11 | Weight Carried is the total weight carried by a horse including the jockey, saddle, and any added weights required to meet the assigned handicap. |
12 | Jockey of the horse and his statistics showing the starts, wins, places and shows. |
13 | Horse Class Figure is an estimate of what that starter will earn for an Equibase Speed Figure (Thoroughbred) or speed rating (Quarter Horse and Arabian) in today's race. The Class Rating is a predictive number based on the horses' previous Speed Figures and speed ratings with emphasis placed on recent races and races run at the same distance as today's race. |
14 | Totals by Current Year, Previous Year, Lifetime, At This Track: starts - wins - places - shows - highest E figure- earnings
At This Track indicates the record of the horse at that track on the same surface as today's race. Races on other surfaces at that track will not be displayed here.
Starts lists how many races the horse has started in.
Wins indicates the number of wins (1st place) the horse had.
Place indicates the number of places (2nd place) the horse had.
Show indicates the number of shows (3rd place) the horse had.
Speed Figure is the horse's last Official Equibase® Speed Figure. The Official Equibase® Speed Figure tells you how fast a horse has been running in its recent races with a single number. Its sophisticated algorithms are based on the horse's actual time in combination with other factors, such as the condition of the track. A horse running in stakes company might earn a 90 Speed Figure, while a horse running in a claiming race might earn a 60 Speed Figure. The Official Equibase® Speed Figure has been equalized for different tracks, distances and conditions, therefore an 80 Speed Figure at Laurel Race Course is the same as an 80 Speed Figure at Philadelphia Park.
Earnings |
15 | Totals on Dirt, Wet Dirt, All Weather Surface, At the Distance: starts - wins - places - shows - highest E figure- earnings
Distance/Surface Record shows the horse's record over a dirt track, turf track, an All Weather surface and at that same distance and over that same course.
Starts lists how many races the horse has started in.
Wins indicates the number of wins (1st place) the horse had.
Place indicates the number of places (2nd place) the horse had.
Show indicates the number of shows (3rd place) the horse had.
Speed Figure is the horse's last Official Equibase® Speed Figure. The Official Equibase® Speed Figure tells you how fast a horse has been running in its recent races with a single number. Its sophisticated algorithms are based on the horse's actual time in combination with other factors, such as the condition of the track. A horse running in stakes company might earn a 90 Speed Figure, while a horse running in a claiming race might earn a 60 Speed Figure. The Official Equibase® Speed Figure has been equalized for different tracks, distances and conditions, therefore an 80 Speed Figure at Laurel Race Course is the same as an 80 Speed Figure at Philadelphia Park.
Earnings shows you the earnings in every category. |
16 | Video Camera Icon  is a paid video race replays subscription will allow you to instantly watch videos of these races. Race Date Link lists the date of the race and links you to free ChartPlus™ Results for that race. |
17 | Track Code or Racetrack's Acronym for each past races where the horse competed. To familiarize the existing racetracks, visit our List of Racetracks page.
Race Number (C) |
18 | Track Condition refers to the state of the racing surface at a given racetrack on a particular day. Track condition changes because of the climate and changes of weather. Learn more about the difference and definitions of each track conditions at Types of Horse Racetrack Surfaces and Conditions.
Dirt Track (FST or FT) - Fast (WF) - Wet Fast (GD) - Good (SL) - Slow (MUD or MY) - Muddy (SY) - Sloppy (superscripted S on any track condition) - Sealed
Turf Track (FIRM or FRM) - Firm (GD) - Good (YLD) - Yielding (SF or SFT) - Soft (HY or HVY) - Heavy |
19 | Track Surface is literally the surface of the track, either dirt, turf, or synthetic. Dirt tracks are not solely composed of dirt or soil. It is normally composed of clay, sand, and soil. Turf track is a natural grass track while synthetic tracks are manmade and sometimes called Artificial Track. For more detailed information about all three surface tracks, see “Track Surface”. The Symbols shown below are for the tracks except main dirt tracks since racing programs do not show any symbols if it is a dirt track anymore. Course Symbols:
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20 | Race Distance tells the type of the race, either sprint (short), middle or long distance (route). Short distance or sprint type of race are 5-7 Furlongs or less than 1 mile. Middle Distances are 8-9 furlongs or 1-1 1/18 miles. Long Distances or routes are 1 1/4 and longer or 10+ furlongs. |
21 | Days Unraced are the days days between races that the horse is unraced. |
22 | Fractional Times refer to the times recorded at specific points or "fractions" of the race. These times give bettors and race analysts insight into the pace of the race and how fast the horses were running at different stages. |
23 | Age Restriction/Limit is part of the race condition, restricting a race for a certain age. The upward arrow (↑) beside the age signifies that the race is for the age number and older. Some racing programs also use a plus (+) symbol or ^ as symbol instead of upward arrow symbol. |
24 | Restricted to Fillies it means the specific race was restricted to fillies. |
25 | Restricted to State Bred Horses meaning the specific race was restricted only to state bred horses. |
26 | Race Type of Stakes Name (I) |
27 | The Equibase Pace Figures are basically the horse's "speed figure" at the first call of the race and is available for all Thoroughbred and Arabian races. Based on the horse's actual time and other conditions, such as track condition, these figures allow you to compare a horse's performance at the early point of the race. |
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- main turf
- inner turf
- inner dirt
- downhill turf
- timber course
- steeplechase
- hurdle
- training track
- equitrack
- off turf
- hunt
| Race Details | |
|---|---|
A | Race Distance tells the type of the race, either sprint (short), middle or long distance (route). Short distance or sprint type of race are 5-7 Furlongs or less than 1 mile. Middle Distances are 8-9 furlongs or 1-1 1/18 miles. Long Distances or routes are 1 1/4 and longer or 10+ furlongs. |
B | Racetrack it is the name of the track. We also offer a list of racetracks for you to view and familiarize. |
C | Date and Time of this race according to where the racetrack is located. |
D | Age Condition is part of the race condition, restricting a race for a certain age. The plus (+) symbol beside the age signifies that the race is for the age number and older. Some racing programs also use an upward arrow (↑) or ^ as symbol instead of plus symbol.
Type of Race is literally what type of race is the event about. To learn more, click and read the bottom of the Horse Racing Types page.
Types of race with symbols:
Purse is the prize money of the race. |
E | Race Number signifies the sequence of the race within the day. So, the race with number race 1 is the first race for that day. |
F | Wagers Available shows the type of wager you can use to bet in that specific race including the exotic bets. |
G | Race Event is the name of the whole race event where the race is included. It includes the local date of the racetrack and some details about the race event. |
H | Race Condition includes the purse, detailed description of the race, weight assignments, claiming condition and distance of the race. |
| Horse Details and Past Performance | |
|---|---|
1 | Program Number is the number assigned for each horse which the bettor can use for wagering. When placing a bet, the bettor will choose each horse based on its assigned program number. Sometimes the program number is the same with the post position of the horse but not necessarily the same. Post positions can change but program numbers do not. |
2 | Post Position is the actual physical position of the horse in the racetrack. It refers to the specific starting gate or stall assigned to each horse at the beginning of a race. Horses line up in numbered gates at the starting barrier, with each gate corresponding to a different post position. These positions are drawn randomly before the race that is why post positions are sometimes called draw numbers. Learn more about post positions and how it can create a Draw Bias. |
3 | Owner/s of the horse. |
4 | Silks are the colorful jackets worn by the jockeys during the race. It is to easily identify the owner or stable that owns the horse during the race. |
5 | Name of the Horse participating in the race. |
6 | Horse's Color: Horse's Gender: Age of the Horse |
7 | Morning Line Odds or ML odds are not based on actual bets but rather on the handicapper's assessment of each horse's chances and how they expect the public to bet. It usually gets posted the night before the race or early in the morning before the race. |
8 | Weight Carried is the total weight carried by a horse including the jockey, saddle, and any added weights required to meet the assigned handicap. |
9 | Trainer is responsible for the horse's health, training, conditioning, and race preparations of the horse. |
10 | Jockey of the horse or the rider who controls the horse during the race. |
11 | Racing Records shows the number of Starts (all competed races), Win (won races, 1st place), Second, Third placed races, and the total earnings for each specific years and condition. |
12 | Speed Rating measures how fast a horse runs in a particular race compared to a standard or par time for that distance and surface at the specific track. It factors in the horse's final time, the track conditions, and the class of the race. A higher speed rating the better. |
13 | Date for each of the horse's past performance. |
14 | Racetrack's Acronym for each past races where the horse competed. To familiarize the existing racetracks, visit our List of Racetracks page. |
15 | Race Restrictions |
16 | Age Condition or Age limit is part of a race condition which pertains up to which age a horse should be to be able to participate in this race. |
17 | Course Symbols
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18 | Race Distance (A) for each past races competed by the horse. |
19 | Fractional Times refer to the times recorded at specific points or "fractions" of the race. These times give bettors and race analysts insight into the pace of the race and how fast the horses were running at different stages. |
20 | Final/Finish Time is the time the horse finished the race in each past races. |
21 | Post Position (2) of the horse on each past race. |
22 | Calls or Points of Calls are specific points during a race where a horse’s position is recorded. These calls help provide a snapshot of how a horse performed at various stages of the race. These calls are essential for analyzing a horse’s racing style, whether it starts fast, maintains pace, or finishes strong. |
23 | Final Position of the race during each past race. |
24 | Jockey who rode the horse during each past race. |
25 | Weight Carried (8) by the horse during each past race. |
26 | Medication or Equipment |
27 | Equivalent Odds |
28 | First Three Finishers are the top three horses who won and placed during each past race. First-Second -Third |
29 | Number or runners or field size is the total number of participants (horses) in each past race. |
Want to learn how to read other racing programs?
Click over to our other guides!
Thrill Of The Moment
Now that you know how to read a horse racing program, you can walk into the track with your head held high and hopefully walk out with a little extra green in your pocket. AmWager wants everyone to walk out a winner and we hope this guide will help make that happen.
Eager to digest even more horse racing information? Then visit our horse racing resource center for articles on horse racing and news about upcoming race picks from our expert handicappers.
