CLASS RATING - Our class ratings are numbers that represent the actual conditions of a race. Each track has special Class Chart, located in the BEST RATINGS chapter of this book.

DECLINING FORM - The horse did not gain any lengths on the leader throughout his last out and finished 6 lengths or more behind the winner and out of the money.

EXCUSES

1.OFF TRACK - Any track that is listed other than fast.

2.DISTANCE - Any distance more than 1/2 furlong shorter or longer than today's distance unless the distance in the last race is one where the horse has performed within 3 lengths of the winner in one of his last 6 starts.

3.CLASS - Any class level higher than today's unless the class level in the last race is the same or lower than he has performed a good race at in one of his last 6 starts.

4.OFF REST - Any horse whose previous race was 28 days or more from his last race.

5.TROUBLE - Any running problem or equipment problem that could have impaired the horse's running ability of his race. Excuses such as checked, blocked, forced wide, steadied, bumped off stride, clipped heels, impeded, bad break or slow start (unless horse has a history of bad breaks or poor starts), in tight, stumbled, reared, close quarters, loose bandages, lost whip, saddle slipped, hit rail, broke through gate, etc.)

6.UNEVEN POSITIONS - (See In Form Factors)

7.JOCKEY - If the last jockey has not ridden the horse in his past to a good race (See Good Race) or is not listed in the 10 top jockey standings, excuse as he complies with today's Jockey Rule in Negative Handicapping. Rule 2.

8.HEADED - Only to be applied to Key Race (Speed). If a horse is headed 2 calls or more in his last race.

GOOD CALL - Horse must be either first, second or third less than 6 lengths) or if not within 2 lengths at a sprint distance or 3 lengths at a route distance at any call in any of the last two races. Consider 7 furlongs the same as a route. In other words, he must be within 3 lengths at any call within the last two races.

GOOD RACE - Horse must have finished either first, second or third. If a horse finishes third he must be less than 6 lengths behind the leader. If he did not finish first, second or third, he must be either 2 lengths at a sprint or 3 at a route. Consider 7 furlongs the same as a route. In other words, he must finish within 3 lengths.

GOOD RACE CLASS - Horse must have run a Good Race (See Good Race) at the same class level or higher than today's race in his past.

GOOD RACE IN THREE - Horse must have a Good Race (See Good Race) in one of his last 3 races.

HEADED - A race where a horse is being challenged by another horse or horses and at any point of call in a race are only a head apart.

IN FORM FACTORS

1. BID OF THREE - A horse must be dropping in class today and have gained either 3 lengths or positions or any combination of the two to total a gain of 3 from one call to another. The gain must be started at a call in which the horse has beaten half the field (See Not Beating Half the Field in Negative Factors - Step 11) and not be more than 8 lengths behind the leader. The horse must be less than 6 lengths behind the leader at the completion of the gain.

2. BID OF FIVE - A horse must gain either 5 positions or 5 lengths or any combination of the two to total a gain of 5 from any one call in the race to any other call. The gain must be started at a call in which the horse has beaten half the field and not more than 8 lengths the leader. The horse must be less than 6 lengths the leader at the completion of the gain.

3. CONTENTION ONCE - Horse must be dropping in class today and be within 2 3/4 lengths of the leader at any call.

4. CONTENTION TWICE - Horse must be within 2 3/4 lengths of the leader at any two calls in the race.

5. EVEN RACE - Horse must be less than 5 lengths behind the leader throughout the last race while not gaining or losing more than 2 lengths from one call to another.

6. GOOD RACE - (See Good Race)

7. UNEVEN POSITIONS - Horse must gain a position after having lost a position from one call to another. Horse must not lose a position from the stretch call to the finish of the race and must be less than 6 lengths behind the leader at the end of the race.

JOCKEY - The rider of the horse.

ROUTE RACE - A distance of one mile or greater.

SAME CLASS - Horse's last race must be at he same class level as today's or dropping in class.

SPRINT RACE - Any distance less than a mile.

TODAY'S ODDS - Today's odds means just that. If the rule calls for a horse to be in the low 4 odds the horse must be one of the first 4 favorites at post time. The low 6 would represent one of the first 6 favorites at post time.

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