“Handicappers can also use speed figures to identify horses that might be overlooked by the betting public.“
What do Speed Figures mean in Horse Racing?
Horse racing is a popular sport, and many people enjoy betting on the horses. To make informed betting decisions, handicappers rely on speed figures to evaluate a horse’s past performances. Two commonly used speed figures in horse racing are the Beyer Speed Figures and the Equibase Speed Figures. In this article, we will explore what these speed figures are and how they can be used to improve handicapping.
Beyer Speed Figures
Andy Beyer is a journalist and handicapper who created the Beyer Speed Figures in the 1970s. The Beyer Speed Figure is a number that represents how fast a horse ran a particular race, adjusted for track conditions, distance, and other factors. The higher the number, the faster the horse ran.
The Beyer Speed Figures are widely used by handicappers to evaluate a horse’s performance. They are especially useful for comparing horses that have run in different races and at different tracks. For example, if Horse A ran a mile in 1:36 at Track X and Horse B ran a mile in 1:38 at Track Y, it might seem like Horse A is the faster horse. However, if we look at their Beyer Speed Figures, we might see that Horse B actually ran faster because the track conditions at Track Y were slower than the conditions at Track X.
Beyer Speed Figures are calculated by taking into account several factors, including the horse’s time, the track condition, the distance of the race, and the weight the horse carried. The figures are expressed in terms of miles per hour and are based on a scale that starts at zero and goes up to around 130. The average Beyer Speed Figure for a racehorse is around 75.
Equibase Speed Figures
Equibase is a company that provides horse racing data and statistics to the industry. Equibase Speed Figures are similar to Beyer Speed Figures in that they represent how fast a horse ran a particular race, adjusted for track conditions, distance, and other factors. However, there are some differences between the two speed figures.
One major difference is that Equibase Speed Figures take into account the pace of the race, which is the speed at which the horses ran during different segments of the race. This information can be useful in evaluating a horse’s performance, as it can help to determine whether the horse ran faster than expected given the pace of the race. For example, if a horse ran a fast time but had an easy lead throughout the race, the Equibase Speed Figure might be lower than the Beyer Speed Figure because the pace of the race was slow.
Equibase Speed Figures are also calculated differently than Beyer Speed Figures. They are based on a point system that assigns points for various factors, such as the final time of the race, the pace of the race, and the track variant (which is a measure of how the track conditions on race day compare to the track’s historical averages). The points are then converted into a speed figure that represents how fast the horse ran the race, adjusted for all of these factors.
Using Speed Figures in Handicapping
Both Beyer Speed Figures and Equibase Speed Figures can be useful tools for handicappers. By looking at a horse’s speed figures from past races, handicappers can get a sense of how fast the horse is capable of running and how consistent it is in its performances.
When using speed figures in handicapping, it is important to take into account other factors as well, such as the horse’s running style, its post position, and the class of the race. For example, a horse that has consistently posted high speed figures in lower-level races might struggle to compete at a higher class level.
Handicappers can also use speed figures to identify horses that might be overlooked by the betting public. For example, if a horse has consistently posted lower speed figures than its competitors but has been improving in recent races, it might be worth considering as a long shot bet. Additionally, if a horse has posted a particularly high speed figure in a recent race, it might be worth considering as a strong contender in its next race.
It is worth noting that speed figures are not foolproof and should not be the only factor considered in handicapping. Other factors, such as jockey and trainer statistics, should also be taken into account when making betting decisions.
In conclusion, speed figures are a useful tool for handicappers in horse racing. The Beyer Speed Figures and Equibase Speed Figures are two commonly used speed figures that represent how fast a horse ran a particular race, adjusted for track conditions, distance, and other factors. While both speed figures have their differences, they can both provide valuable information to handicappers.
When using speed figures in handicapping, it is important to take into account other factors as well, such as the horse’s running style, post position, and class of the race. Speed figures should not be the only factor considered when making betting decisions, but they can be a useful tool in identifying horses that might be overlooked by the betting public and in determining a horse’s potential to run well in future races.
