Return to the Main FAQ's PageFAQ # 15
ALL-WaysTM Support
What is the best way to learn the meaning of each handicapping factor in ALL-Ways?
Appendix C of the ALL-Ways User Manual includes an explanation of all the handicapping factors that are used in ALL-Ways. We have included the Appendix in a somewhat condensed version at the end of this answer. It really is very easy to learn the handicapping factors. Here are three tips that may help you along.
1. Focus on the main 71 handicapping factors.
There are 71 key handicapping factors in ALL-Ways. Actually, there are a few other factors, but these 71 factors are the ones that can be included in the Handicapping Profiles that are used by ALL-Ways to handicap the races. All 71 factors can be seen together on the All Factors handicapping report. We suggest you initially focus on these 71 factors. Short, concise explanations of each factor are shown below.
2. Keep in mind how the 71 factors are grouped.
The factors are grouped into 7 categories. These groups are very logical as they pretty much represent the thought processes handicappers go through to evaluate a horse. Here are the groups:
3. Focus on two specific reports to begin with.
Focus on learning how to understand the Contender Summary Report and the All Factors report. Use Appendix B in the ALL-Ways Users Manual to learn how to read the reports. Use the explanation of the handicapping factors below to learn what the factors mean. Once you understand these two reports, you will thoroughly understand the key handicapping factors and you will be able to quickly understand every other handicapping report in ALL-Ways.
4. Start by understanding the introductory definitions below.
Many of the factors are rating figures that use the same rating scheme. Understanding these simple rating schemes will speed the learning process.
Handicapping Factors Quick Reference
Some Introductory Definitions
To avoid repetition later on, we are providing a number of definitions that will apply to several different factors.
EFFORT: This is a value of 0 to 4 (4 being best) given to a horse based on its effort in a past race. On rare occasions the horse may be given a 5.
RECORD: This is a value of 0 to 4 (4 being best) given to a horse, to a jockey or to a trainer based on their past win-place-show performance. On some occassions, the horse, jockey or trainer may be given a bonus point for a total of 5 points.
PEDIGREE: This is a value of 0 to 4 (4 being best) given to a horse based on its pedigree information.
2/3: When you see the "2/3" designator, calculations are based on a horses best 2 out of its last 3 races.
4/5: When you see the "4/5" designator, calculations are based on the horses best 4 out of its last 5 races. Recent races are given added weight in the calculation.
DISTANCE CATEGORY: When you read the term "Distance Category", it means either a sprint (less than a mile) or a route (one mile or longer).
The Main 71 Handicapping Factors
Distance Factors
1. Distance Record
Rated 0 to 4 based on the horses record at the EXACT distance of today's race.
2. Distance Effort 2/3
Rated 0 to 4 (possible 5 with a bonus point) based on the horses efforts at today's Distance Category.
3. Distance Switch
Rated from -1 to +1 (+ = positive, 0 = neutral, -1 = negative) with in-between values as well. If ALL-Ways believes the horse will benefit from the switch to today's distance category, the horse gets a positive (+) number. Conversely, if ALL-Ways believes the horse's performance will be hurt by the switch, the horse gets a minus (-) number.
4. Length Change
Rated from -1 to +1 (+1 = positive, 0 = neutral, -1 = negative) with in-between values as well. This is calculated the same as #3 above (positive distance switch) except ALL-Ways makes its evaluation based on a change in distance within the same distance category..... for example, by a horse stretching out from 6 furlongs to 7 furlongs.
Surface Factors
5. Dirt Record
Rated 0 to 4 (4 being best) based on the horses lifetime record on fast dirt tracks.
6. Dirt Effort 2/3
Rated 0 to 4 (4 being best with a possible bonus point = 5) based on the horses past efforts on fast dirt tracks.
7. Turf Record
Rated 0 to 4 (4 being best) based on the horses lifetime record on the turf.
8. Turf Effort 2/3
Rated 0 to 4 (4 being best with a possible bonus point = 5) based on the horses past efforts on the turf.
9. Mud Record
Rated 0 to 4 (4 being best) based on the horses lifetime record racing on off dirt track conditions.
10. Mud Effort 2/3
Rated 0 to 4 (4 being best with a possible bonus point = 5) based on the horses past efforts on off dirt track conditions.
Form Factors
11. Effort Last
Rated 0 to 4 (4 being best) based on the horses last race effort (most recent race).
12. Effort Last True
Rated 0 to 4 (4 being best) based on a horses effort in its last race at the same distance category and on the same surface. Off tracks are excluded.
13. Effort 2/3
Rated 0 to 4 (4 being best with possible bonus point = 5) based on a horses performance in past races.
14. Recency
The number of days since the horses last race.
15. Days Good
The number of days since the horses last good race. A good race is a finish in-the-money or within 2 lengths of the winner in sprints or within 3 lengths of the winner in routes.
16. HAMBLETON Form Points
All horses start with 10 points and are given extra points for factors that measure the horses current form. The maximum points a horse can earn is 24. Points are subtracted for certain negative form factors, so a horse can end up with less than 10 points. See the Bibliography for books authored by TOM HAMBLETON that you should read. Also, at the end of this appendix you will find an explanation of the individual elements making up the HAMLETON Form Points.
17. Workouts
The horses workouts since its last race are examined. Times are adjusted for breezing versus handily, dogs up, etc. Based on the adjusted times, frequency of works, spacing of works and length of works, horses are assigned a workout ranking:
2 = Excellent
1 = Good
0 = Undistinguished Workouts
-1 = No workout and last race was not recent enough to eliminate the requirement
for a workout to prepare for today's race distance.
18. Furlong Days
A measure of how many furlongs a horse has run in its workouts since its last race and the days since its last race. Special adjustments are made for maidens. If the figure is too low, such as . 5 or under, it may signal that a horse has not worked enough. A figure over 1. 0 may mean a horse was worked too much.
Class Factors
19. Back Class
The BRIS Back Class rating which is the horses best class rating for the past 12 months.
20. Race Change
The difference between the race class rating calculated by ALL-Ways for today's race and the BRIS race class rating for the horses last race. A negative number indicates a class drop. A positive number indicates a class rise.
22. Race Good
The highest race class rating of the horse's good races in its last 5 races.
22. BRIS Class
The BRIS class rating assigned to this horse based on recent performances.
23. True Class
The BRIS class rating assigned to this horse based on recent performances in races run at the same distance category and on the same surface as today's race.
24. ACL (average competitive level)
The BRIS class rating assigned to this horse based on recent good performances. Positive numbers indicate the races evaluated were true (i.e., the same distance category and surface as today's race). A number preceded by a minus (-) sign indicates the horse has no recent true races at the same distance category and race surface as today's race. This rating weights the recent races.
25. Turf Class
The BRIS class rating assigned to the horse based on its races on the turf.
26. Mud Class
The BRIS class rating assigned to the horse based on its races on off dirt tracks.
27. SCOTT PCR
This is a very complex calculations developed by WILLIAM SCOTT. This class rating is derived from looking at a horse's last ten past performances and factoring in the size of the fields, the horse's position at the second call, the horse's finish position and a rise or drop in class. See the Bibliography for a list of books authored by WILLIAM SCOTT that you should read.
Speed Factors
28. SCOTT Last Race Ability Times (lower figures are best)
A very complex calculation that derives an ability time for each horse in today's race. What makes these figures unique is that they allow for direct horse-to-horse comparisons regardless of distances, surfaces and the tracks on which they ran their last race. Ability times are normalized to 6 furlongs for sprints and 1 1/8 miles for routes. Sixty seconds (60) have been deducted from route times to make it easier to read them. See the Bibliography for books authored by WILLIAM SCOTT that you should read.
29. BRIS Speed Last
The BRIS speed rating assigned to the horse based on it's final time in it's last race.
30. BRIS Speed 2/3
The BRIS speed rating assigned to the horse based on it's final times in recent races.
31. HALL Speed Last
The HALL speed rating assigned to the horse based on it's final time in it's last race. HALL ratings correlate directly to BRIS race ratings.
32. HALL Speed 2/3
The HALL speed rating assigned to the horse based on it's final times in recent races. HALL ratings correlate directly to BRIS race and class ratings.
33. SRTV Last
The Daily Racing Forms speed rating plus track variant assigned to the horse based on it's final time in it's last race.
34. Back Speed
The horses best BRIS Speed Rating during the past 12 months.
35. True Dirt Speed
The BRIS speed rating assigned to the horse based on the horse's final times in recent races run on fast dirt tracks.
36. Mud Speed
The BRIS speed rating assigned to the horse based on the horse's final times in races run on an off dirt track.
Pace Factors
37. FCP 4/5 (first call position)
Rated 0 to 4 (4 indicates a strong early pace horse. Possible bonus point = 5) based on the horse's position at the first call in each of it's most recent races. This is a measure of a horses need and ability to lead at the first call. A low rating is not bad, it simply means this horse doesn't lead at the first call.
38. QUIRIN Points
These are the "speed points" assigned to a horse based on WILLIAM QUIRIN's formula for measuring the horses recent performances running fast to the first call. The higher the number, the more likely the horse is to lead at the first call of today's race. See the Bibliography for books authored by WILLIAM QUIRIN that you should read.
39. BRIS EP 2/3
The BRIS early pace rating assigned to the horse based on it's "speed" running to the 2nd call in it's most recent races.
40. HALL EP 2/3
The HALL early pace rating assigned to the horse based on it's "speed" running to the 2nd call in it's most recent races. HALL ratings correlate directly to BRIS race ratings.
41. True Dirt EP
The BRIS early pace rating assigned to the horse based on the horses "speed" running to the 2nd call in recent races run on fast dirt tracks.
42. STR GAIN 4/5 (stretch gain performance)
Rated 0 to 4 (4 being best with possible bonus point = 5) based on the horse's ability to gain in the stretch (or hold it's lead position) in it's recent races. In this case, a low rating is bad because it indicates the horse is not competitive in the stretch run.
43. STR GAIN 4/5 Distance (stretch gain performance)
Rated 0 to 4 (4 being best with possible bonus point = 5) based on the horse's ability to gain in the stretch (or hold it's lead position) in it's recent races at today's distance category.
44. BRIS FF 2/3
The BRIS final fraction pace rating assigned to the horse based on it's "speed" in the stretch run of it's most recent races.
45. HALL FF 2/3
The HALL final fraction pace rating assigned to the horse based on it's "speed" in the stretch run of it's most recent races. HALL ratings correlate directly with BRIS race and class ratings.
46. True Dirt FF
The BRIS final fraction pace rating assigned to the horse based on it's "speed" in the stretch run of it's races on fast dirt tracks.
47. BRIS Combined 2/3
The BRIS combined pace ratings for it's most recent races.
48. HALL Combined 2/3
The HALL combined pace rating for it's most recent races. HALL ratings correlate directly with BRIS race and class ratings.
49. ESP
0 = No running lines to evaluate (first time starters and foreign horses without a start in North America)
E = Early runner (must have the lead at the 2nd call)
EP = Early presser (comfortable either on the lead or running very close to the lead at the 2nd call)
P = Presser (doesn't want the lead or even being too close to the leader. Comfortable laying 4 to 6 length's off the pace)
S = Sustainer (likes to come from way off the pace with a driving finish in the stretch run)
50. Percent Early
This is a calculation of a horse's preferred running style with respect to it's early energy expenditure. A high percentage means a horse prefers to run fast early. A low percentage means a horse prefers to run fast late. A very good description and evaluation of early energy is included in TOM BROHAMER's book "Modern Pace Handicapping".
51. BRIS EP
The BRIS early pace rating assigned for the horse's paceline race.
52. BRIS FF
The BRIS final fraction pace rating assigned for the horse's paceline race. (stretch run)
53. BRIS Speed
The BRIS speed rating assigned for the horse's paceline race.
54. BRIS CMB
The BRIS early pace rating plus the BRIS final fraction rating assigned to the horse for it's paceline race.
55. HALL EP
The HALL early pace rating assigned for the horse's paceline race.
56. HALL FF
The HALL final fraction rating assigned for the horse's paceline race. (2nd call to finish)
57. HALL Speed
The HALL speed rating assigned for the horse's paceline race.
58. HALL CMB
The HALL early pace rating plus the HALL final fraction rating assigned to the horse for it's paceline race.
59. BRO EP (BROHAMER early pace)
Feet-per-second velocity of the horse up to the 2nd call in it's paceline race. This is a measure of the horses early speed.
60. BRO AP (BROHAMER average pace)
For Routes: The average feet-per-second velocity of a horse calculated by: (early pace plus sustained pace) divided by 2.
For Sprints: The average feet-per-second velocity of a horse calculated by: (1st fraction plus 2nd fraction plus final fraction) divided by 3.
This is a measure of a horse's average velocity during the entire race.
61. BRO SP (BROHAMER sustained pace)
The average of a horses early pace velocity and its final fraction velocity. It is designed to relate 2nd call position with a horses finishing ability.
62. BRO FX (BROHAMER factor X)
The average of a horses first fraction velocity and its final fraction velocity.
63. BRO Total (BROHAMER total) ( Lower is better)
Lower figures are best. This is a ranking number. For example, if there are 10 horses in today's race, each horse is ranked 1 to 10 (1 is best) for each of the BRO EP, BRO AP, BRO SP and BRO FX figures. Then these rankings are added to arrive at the BRO total ranking. Note that the FX ranking is only included for sprints.
Other Factors
64. Comprehensive
This is the HALL total comprehensive ratings. This is the sum of the HALL distance, surface, form, class, speed and jockey/trainer ratings. Twenty-two handicapping factors are evaluated to arrive at this rating.
65. Post
This is the post position assigned to the horse before any scratches.
66. Jockey
Rated 0 to 4 (4 being best with possible bonus point to 5) based on the jockey's record during the past 365 days.
67. Trainer
Rated 0 to 4 (4 being best with possible bonus point to 5) based on the trainer's record during the past 365 days.
68. Trainer Turf
Rated 0 to 4 (4 being best with possible bonus point to 5) based on the trainer's record during the past 365 days for turf races only.
69. Turf Pedigree
Rated 0 to 4 (4 being best) based on ALL-Ways evaluation of the horse pedigree with respect to it's ability to run in turf races.
70. Mud Pedigree
Rated 0 to 4 (4 being best) based on ALL-Ways evaluation of the horse pedigree with respect to it's ability to run on off tracks.
71. First Pedigree
Rated 0 to 4 (4 being best) based on ALL-Ways evaluation of the horse pedigree with respect to it's ability to run well in it's first start.
Other Handicapping Factors
Race Shapes
ALL-Ways assigns a race shape to each of a horse's past performance races. The race shape tells you if the pace was slow (S), average (A), par (P), or fast (F). It also tells you if the final speed of the race was (S), (A), (P), or (F). Note that average (A) is faster than slow (S) but not quite as fast as par (P).
Examples:
FF Fast early pace; Fast final time (A type of "key race"). Horses exiting this race shape deserve watching)
FP Fast early pace; Par final time
PP Par early pace; Par final time
SA Slow early pace; Average final time
Win True
Yes (Y) if the horse has a win at the same distance category and surface as today's race.
Good True
Yes (Y) if the horse ran a good race at the same distance category and surface as today's race. If a horse has a "win true", it automatically gets a "good true" as well.
Total Pace vs Combined Pace
BRIS and HALL pace figures include both combined pace and total pace ratings.
Combined Pace: = Early Pace + Final Fraction
Total Pace: = Early Pace + Speed Rating
BRIS Last Race Rating
The rating assigned by BRIS for the horses last race.
SRTV 2/3
The average DRF speed rating plus track variant for the horses best 2 out of its last 3 races.
Hall Form
This index is shown on the Form By the Numbers report. This combines the moving class average with the moving speed average of a horse's last 3 races giving added weight to the most recent races. The result is a Form Index. A number over 100 indicates improving form. A number under 100 indicates declining form.
Hall Turn Time
Turn Time is the 2 to 4 furlong fraction in sprints and the 4 to 6 furlong fraction in routes. This is generally run around at least part of the final turn, hence the name Turn Time. Improving Turn Time often signals improving form.
Weighted Moving Averages
Weighted moving averages are calculated for HALL speed, HALL combined pace, HALL total pace, HALL turn time and BRIS class. A weighted average looks at four races and gives added weight to the more recent races when calculating the average. The "Form By The Numbers" handicapping report shows 4 such calculations for each horse and factor.
B1 = Weighted average for 1, 2, 3, 4 races back
B2 = Weighted average for 2, 3, 4, 5 races back
B3 = Weighted average for 3, 4, 5, 6 races back
B4 = Weighted average for 4, 5, 6, 7 races back
Hambleton Pace Figures
Shown on the "ALL PACE" and "PACE PAST PERFORMANCE" handicapping reports.
HAMBLETON pace figures are based on a 100 scale. There are three pace figures:
EPR: Early Pace Rating
This is the horses pace rating to the 2nd call which is the 4 furlong mark
in sprints and the 6 furlong mark in routes.
FFR: Final Fraction Rating
This is the horses pace rating for how it ran the final fraction (2nd call to finish).
TPR: This is the horses EPR rating plus the horses FFR rating. Note that
rounding may cause the TPR to appear one point off.
Hambleton Form Points Detail
REC Points for recency
REC BNS Bonus points for recency
CLO Points for being up close
CLO BNS Bonus points for being up close
TRK Points for performance at track
DST Points for performance at exact distance
CLS Points for performance at class level
CLS DRP Points for a class drop
2nd 3rd Points for this being 2nd or 3rd race of career or after long layoff
FAV Points for being favorite last race
WK Points from workout analysis
NO WIN Point deduction for no wins
NEG DROP Point deduction for negative drop (good last race but drop in claiming price or move down to claiming ranks from allowance company or drop from Maiden Special Weight to Maiden Claiming)
4 YR RSE Point deduction for 4 yr. old rising in class ( last race not good but taking a rise in BRIS Race Rating)
1st RTE Point deduction for first route
1st SPR Point deduction for first sprint
HAM TOT Total HAMBLETON form points
LO Layoff indicator ("L")