SPEED AND CLASS RATINGS - THE FUTURE OF HARNESS RACING IS NOW
Speed and class ratings are relatively new to the harness aficionado, although the thoroughbred world has been using them for years. TrackMaster has been providing harness speed and class ratings since 1998, and is continuously improving their accuracy and predictability. If you would like to learn more about these powerful ratings and how to use them, please read on.
What exactly are speed and class ratings and how are they calculated?
The purpose behind the speed rating is to normalize a horse's finishing time across all different tracks and track conditions using a complex computer generated formula. The numbers are generally between 50 and 100, with 100 being an extremely high (fast) figure. Speed ratings allow us to analyze a horse's particular performance in a race simply and easily, without having to worry about which size track the time was run at, or what the condition of the track was during the race, or in some cases even the distance of the race itself.
In computing a horse's speed rating, four separate factors are combined.
1.) The first component is called the raw speed rating. This number is a direct conversion of the horse's finishing time and the distance of the race using our computer modeled formula.
2.) The raw speed rating is then modified with an Inter-Track Variant (ITV), a number that allows for the speed variations between tracks. To determine the fundamental speed differentials between the various size tracks we analyze horses that have shipped to and from various racetracks throughout the year.
3.) The third adjustment to the raw speed rating is the Daily Track Variant (DTV). This compensates for things such as a sloppy track or other day-to-day factors affecting the track condition. This can even vary between races as conditions change.
4.) The fourth and final adjustment to the resulting speed rating is the post position adjustment factor. This takes into account the positive or negative effects post has on the horse's overall race performance. This would make it possible to see a horse finish 2nd and have a higher speed rating that the horse who won.
All four of these factors combined together produce a single number called the final speed rating. Now with this single number you are able to compare a horse's performance no matter where it raced. This lets you easily analyze a horse making its first start at a track or changing class dramatically. Never be misled again by using simple final times as your guide.
Now that we have covered what a speed rating is and how it is calculated let's move on to its partner, the class rating. These go hand in hand with the speed ratings. Just as the horse receives a speed rating for his performance in a race, the race itself had received a class rating to measure the strength of the field. The class rating for a race is made up of a weighted average of the previous speed ratings from the horses entered in that race. The number is basically a projection of what the expected winning speed rating would be for that particular race.
How do I use these figures to get an edge when handicapping the harness races?
The best way to get that extra leg up when wagering on the harness races is to use the speed and class ratings in tandem to find contenders and eliminate the pretenders. Like we have said previously, the class rating can be thought of as the par speed rating for the race. So if a race is given a class rating of 80, a horse that can run that speed ratings of 80 or better would have a great shot at winning the race. Take a look at a horse's past few speed ratings throwing out particularly bad races (for example, where a horse makes a break). You could also take an average of the last 5 to 10 ratings to compare against today's class rating. If the numbers are comparable you know you've got a live horse on your hands. If not you can pretty much safely eliminate that one from your tickets.
I'm an owner/trainer who doesn't bet often, how will these figures benefit me?
As a horseman it's always key to know where your horse will race competitively. Speed and class ratings are perfect for keeping track of how your horse is performing and sizing up the fields he'll be running in. For example, say you want to know how your horse will stack up racing in a certain conditioned race after being in the claiming ranks the last few starts. Just take a look at the average class ratings of that conditioned race you are thinking of entering and compare it to the speed ratings your horse has been running. This is also very useful for those who are thinking about shipping their horses off to race at another track. With class and speed ratings, you can easily gauge what level your horse should fit well into without having to worry if you are entering too high or too low. This can save you valuable time and money by finding races where your horse will be more competitive and earn you more money.
Where exactly do I get these speed & class ratings, and are they expensive?
You can find these remarkable figures in virtually all TrackMaster products. TrackMaster Past Performances provide up to 10 running lines complete with speed and class ratings for each. We also offer Platinum Past Performances providing average speed and class ratings, plus power ratings which combine several other handicapping factors. We have convenient and affordable pricing plans available. You'll start to wonder how you ever followed the harness racing action without speed and class ratings.
Speed and class ratings are relatively new to the harness aficionado, although the thoroughbred world has been using them for years. TrackMaster has been providing harness speed and class ratings since 1998, and is continuously improving their accuracy and predictability. If you would like to learn more about these powerful ratings and how to use them, please read on.
What exactly are speed and class ratings and how are they calculated?
The purpose behind the speed rating is to normalize a horse's finishing time across all different tracks and track conditions using a complex computer generated formula. The numbers are generally between 50 and 100, with 100 being an extremely high (fast) figure. Speed ratings allow us to analyze a horse's particular performance in a race simply and easily, without having to worry about which size track the time was run at, or what the condition of the track was during the race, or in some cases even the distance of the race itself.
In computing a horse's speed rating, four separate factors are combined.
1.) The first component is called the raw speed rating. This number is a direct conversion of the horse's finishing time and the distance of the race using our computer modeled formula.
2.) The raw speed rating is then modified with an Inter-Track Variant (ITV), a number that allows for the speed variations between tracks. To determine the fundamental speed differentials between the various size tracks we analyze horses that have shipped to and from various racetracks throughout the year.
3.) The third adjustment to the raw speed rating is the Daily Track Variant (DTV). This compensates for things such as a sloppy track or other day-to-day factors affecting the track condition. This can even vary between races as conditions change.
4.) The fourth and final adjustment to the resulting speed rating is the post position adjustment factor. This takes into account the positive or negative effects post has on the horse's overall race performance. This would make it possible to see a horse finish 2nd and have a higher speed rating that the horse who won.
All four of these factors combined together produce a single number called the final speed rating. Now with this single number you are able to compare a horse's performance no matter where it raced. This lets you easily analyze a horse making its first start at a track or changing class dramatically. Never be misled again by using simple final times as your guide.
Now that we have covered what a speed rating is and how it is calculated let's move on to its partner, the class rating. These go hand in hand with the speed ratings. Just as the horse receives a speed rating for his performance in a race, the race itself had received a class rating to measure the strength of the field. The class rating for a race is made up of a weighted average of the previous speed ratings from the horses entered in that race. The number is basically a projection of what the expected winning speed rating would be for that particular race.
How do I use these figures to get an edge when handicapping the harness races?
The best way to get that extra leg up when wagering on the harness races is to use the speed and class ratings in tandem to find contenders and eliminate the pretenders. Like we have said previously, the class rating can be thought of as the par speed rating for the race. So if a race is given a class rating of 80, a horse that can run that speed ratings of 80 or better would have a great shot at winning the race. Take a look at a horse's past few speed ratings throwing out particularly bad races (for example, where a horse makes a break). You could also take an average of the last 5 to 10 ratings to compare against today's class rating. If the numbers are comparable you know you've got a live horse on your hands. If not you can pretty much safely eliminate that one from your tickets.
I'm an owner/trainer who doesn't bet often, how will these figures benefit me?
As a horseman it's always key to know where your horse will race competitively. Speed and class ratings are perfect for keeping track of how your horse is performing and sizing up the fields he'll be running in. For example, say you want to know how your horse will stack up racing in a certain conditioned race after being in the claiming ranks the last few starts. Just take a look at the average class ratings of that conditioned race you are thinking of entering and compare it to the speed ratings your horse has been running. This is also very useful for those who are thinking about shipping their horses off to race at another track. With class and speed ratings, you can easily gauge what level your horse should fit well into without having to worry if you are entering too high or too low. This can save you valuable time and money by finding races where your horse will be more competitive and earn you more money.
Where exactly do I get these speed & class ratings, and are they expensive?
You can find these remarkable figures in virtually all TrackMaster products. TrackMaster Past Performances provide up to 10 running lines complete with speed and class ratings for each. We also offer Platinum Past Performances providing average speed and class ratings, plus power ratings which combine several other handicapping factors. We have convenient and affordable pricing plans available. You'll start to wonder how you ever followed the harness racing action without speed and class ratings.
