Be sure to verify the horse’s post position with the official track program and announced changes due to late scratches, surface change, printing or data error.

IN-FORM numbers will be ranked in descending order (the top 4 featured in bold type) based on accumulated IN-FORM points. When assigned identical IN-FORM numbers, horses will be listed in post-position order, but further evaluation is required to identify the stronger play (i.e. speed figures, workouts, jockey, etc.).

Denotes two numbers: on top is the distance of the horse’s last race, and beneath it is the distance of the horse’s previous race.

Note: We strongly recommend examining if a change of distance is positive or negative. For example, it is not recommended to wager on a horse making a significant cut-back from a route race to a sprint (e.g. 9 furlongs to 6 furlongs), even if it has the highest IN-FORM number, unless trainer statistics support such a move (likewise, turf racing can result in similarly exceptional outcomes). Otherwise, it may be wisest to pick such horses to finish “underneath” in exotics, as warranted.

Two numbers are stacked in this column. On top is the horse’s last-race speed figure, beneath it is its second-last race speed figure. As strong proponents of qualified speed figures, IN-FORM indicates with an asterisk (*) the horse with the best last-race speed figure, and the horse with the best second-last race speed figure.

Note: In cases where a horse has the best last-race speed figure plus the best second-last race speed figure, we consider it to be to be a very strong play, even though a horse may not have the highest IN-FORM Number. A horse assigned both asterisks could be considered a "key" horse in exotics. While most likely at low odds, such horses generally run with a consistent in-the-money finish, often setting up nice exotic payoffs.

Identifies an increase or decrease in assigned speed figures over a horse’s last two races.  Horses with an increase between 10-15 points have positive potential, and are identified here with an asterisk (*), but a horse with a speed figure increase of 16 points or more is very likely to run a sub-par effort, and is identified with a double asterisk (**).

Note: We strongly support the "bounce" theory, where a horse’s performance declines after a major jump in speed figures (+16 points or more). However, factors such as change of racetrack surface, condition or distance could make a speed figure jump or decline less relevant.

If a horse shows a consecutive increase (or streak) in its speed figures for its most recent three or more races, we consider it to be improving, and rate it very positively in our system. Conversely, we recommend avoiding a horse with three or more speed figures in a descending pattern, as it is a very negative trend.

Note: A horse returning after a long layoff that shows outdated speed figures may be difficult to determine as being in a positive or negative situation. Check the horse’s recent workouts, its previous layoff history, and the trainer’s stats for returns after layoffs.

A horse making the ever-important third start off a layoff (or its fourth) will be denoted by their respective indications (i.e. “3” indicates third start off a layoff, and “4” indicates fourth start off a layoff).

Two descriptors are stacked to indicate where the horse last raced: the track abbreviation is on top, and beneath it the type of surface and the track condition.

Note: We are strong proponents of the “turf to dirt” angle, and recommend considering any horse making such a move. Conversely, a horse making its first start on turf is a significant change. Even when well prepared, a closer look is called for to reveal if it is bred for turf as well as for today’s distance.

Two stacked numbers, showing the claiming level (in thousands of dollars) the horse raced at (if applicable) in its last two races, the most recent race being on top. An asterisk (*) notes if the horse was claimed from such a race.

Note: Allowance, Stakes, Handicap and Maiden Special Weights are indicated with a zero (0).

We consider first-time use of lasix and second-time lasix to be a very positive change in a horse’s regimen and note first time lasix with the number “one” (1) and second time lasix with the number “two” (2).

Denoted as "ON” or “OFF".

Note: We consider “Blinkers ON” to be very positive move, suggesting a trainer’s winning strategy. “Blinkers OFF” can be a negative indicator in some cases. This would require closer evaluation to determine a trainer’s decision for this equipment change (e.g. review statistics revealing trainer information for such moves (such as Blinkers On/Off).

Indicating today's track and today’s distance, denoted by two sets of stacked numbers, the first set identifies the number of times the horse has started at today's racetrack and the number of first, second and third place finishes at this racetrack. The second set of numbers in this column consists of how many times this horse competed at today's distance and surface, and the number of firsts, seconds and thirds.

Note: We strongly believe in "horses for courses" and the distance capabilities of certain horses based on their pedigree. We do not recommend including a horse with a poor in-the-money record at today’s track, surface, and/or distance.

In maiden races in general, and with first-time starters in particular, discretion must be used before supporting such horses. Consult statistics and patterns to confirm your choices.

Likewise, with first-time starters on Polytrack surfaces, or with European shippers (especially as first-time starters on any surface that’s new to the horse, including firm turf), extra attention must be placed on pedigree, conditioning and trainer statistics, patterns and expertise.

Workouts are very important indicators of a horse’s condition and its eventual IN-FORM points total.

The “workout intervals” column is shown as a series of numbers (to a maximum of 6) indicating a horse’s workout pattern leading up to today’s race since its last race (if recent). The number to the right in square brackets (e.g. [24]) indicates the days passed since the horse’s last race [in this case, 24 days]. No bracketed number or double zeros [00] indicate no previous race history or a long lay-off since its last race. An “un-bracketed” number to the left of the bracketed number indicates the number of days between the horse’s last race and its first recorded workout since then. If there is more than one un-bracketed number, it indicates more than one workout since the horse’s last race.

The un-bracketed numbers in this column identify the number of days between such workouts, leading up to today’s race. For example, if the column reads 10 8 7 15 [43], READING FROM RIGHT TO LEFT, it indicates that 15 days after its last race [43 days ago], a horse had a workout, then another workout 7 days later, and finally, another workout 8 days later, which was, logically, 10 days prior to today’s race day.

Here’s another way to look at the same column, this time READING LEFT TO RIGHT: 10 8 7 15 [43], indicates that 10 days prior to today's race, a horse had its most recent published workout, which was 8 days after its previous workout, which was 7 days earlier than that, and 15 days after its most recent race, which was 43 days ago. Of course, if there are no un-bracketed numbers in this column, then there were no published workout activity since the horse’s last race.

Note: The times of workouts are not shown because we are most interested in the activity and spacing of works leading up to today's race. However, we consider certain times very positive, and indicate a best-of-day workout with an asterisk (*). Also, consecutive workouts that are within 2/5 seconds of each other will indicate a horse is in good order, consistently training very well, and we would expect it to run a very competitive race. Such a pair of workouts are indicated with a double asterisk (**) beside the workout interval numbers. As such, it is possible for a workout to earn three asterisks (***) to indicate one of two similar back-to-back workouts which happen to be the best of that day at that distance.

When reviewing a horse’s workout regimen, we can observe how a horse responded after its last race (assuming it has worked since its last race) and what the trainer’s "state of mind" might have been in evaluating and moving forward with the horse. For example, a positive work pattern since a horse’s last race would be multiple works spaced between 5-9 days apart (optimum), and/or a workout 10-14 days after a race (encouraging). Analysis confirms that a horse working in the above noted patterns, consistently and at regular intervals (although possibly at varying distances), would be an indicator it is being prepared to run a competitive race.

Denotes the jockey assigned for today's race, and the jockey of this horse’s previous race.

 Note: Some trainers will have a preferred "go-to” jockey for a specific and necessary change when they see fit, with winning moves in mind. And don’t discount that jockeys are in this business to make money – where they go, whom they decide to ride for, and which horses they have ridden previously are all factors in determining which jock is to ride a horse. Review the jockey colony at each track and assign your own ranking based on the current meet’s results (e.g. who's hot and who's not). Refer frequently to the track’s trainer and jockey statistics for further analysis.

Scratch Notes

NOTE: THIS SECTION REQUIRES YOUR MONITORING AS AN IN-FORM SUBSCRIBER

It is an essential step for you to check every race participant for being recently scratched from a race since it last competed.

If a horse has been scratched from a race (subsequent to its last race) by a steward, vet or trainer, we will look elsewhere for the winner, even if it has a high IN-FORM number. Depending on which track, recent veterinarian scratches may win as seldom as 5 per cent of the time, and trainer and steward scratches only slightly better. We have observed at some tracks that top trainers can perform better than the average trainer under such conditions, but we remain adamant that you exercise caution under these conditions.

Note: Vet, steward and trainer scratches are indicated in past-performance publications (e.g. Daily Racing Form) and are posted and/or published in the official results charts. Be sure to identify where these facts can be obtained, and make note of each and every case for each and every race.

In Summary: Wrapping it all up with IN-FORM Numbers

As fellow horseplayers, we trust you find our IN-FORM Handicapping System and Numbers to be a relevant  tool you can utilize each day when determining your selections. We are confident that using our program will lead to consistent results and a positive return at the windows!

Best of Luck to You from your IN-FORM Handicapping System team!

Note that our numbers are published for recreational purposes only – this is not a gambling website.