Q&A for How to Read a Racing Form

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Where is the eighth pole?

Community Answer

The eighth pole is the green pole on a racetrack that is 1⁄8 of a mile from the finish.

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What are the symbols between race distance and first fractional time?

Community Answer

The symbol you see for the February 16 race at Aqueduct indicates that the race was run on their winter track which has a component that makes it less likely to freeze. More commonly you will see a T symbol to indicate races run on turf, a diamond symbol to indicate races run on a synthetic surface or an X symbol to indicate a race that was scheduled to be run on the grass but was moved to the dirt because the grass course was unusable.

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Question

Is the online racing form different from the printed version?

Community Answer

Yes, there are more features in the online version, DRF Formulator, than you find in the newspaper. Online can have access to the Formulator Closer Look, sire ratings, dam reports, moss pace figures, and so much more. Formulator costs $4.95.

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What does the f stand for?

Community Answer

The F means filly (female horse age 4 or younger). It is part of the following lettering: A= official age; S = sex; M = mare (female horse age 5 or older); F = filly (female horse age 4 or younger); H = horse (intact male age 5 or older); C = colt (intact male age 4 or younger); and G = gelding (castrated male, any age).

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What is the meaning of the stars by a jockey's name?

Community Answer

The stars by a jockey's name usually means how good they are. You know five-star ratings? The meaning is almost like that. If they are good or great, or just a really good, then the jockey will have 4-5 stars. If they are okay, then 2-3 or a half stars. If not good, no stars or just one, half, or 2.

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What does the "W" after the claiming price mean?

Community Answer

A horse is entered in a claiming race with a waiver and can't be claimed for a couple of reasons. One is that it has been off for a lot of days and it is its first race back after being laid off. Or, if a certain track has a ruling based on restricted races, it relates to that.

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What does "height of the rail" refer to?

Maliah Onealeharris

Community Answer

The height is referring to 4,025 mm. The normal regular trains have a height of 4,025 mm and width of 3,240 mm.

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Question

What is the number in front of the horse's last track raced?

hobbitandtinkerbell k

Community Answer

The number shows her odds of winning and how many she has won.

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Question

How do you know which horse is favourite, second favourite, etc.?

Natalie

Community Answer

Typically, it will say in the description or biography of the horse. Based on these stats, you can place bets.

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What do "place" and "show" mean?

Natalie

Community Answer

Win means first place. Place means second place. Show means third place. These are the only placements you can bet on in horse racing.

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