Return to the Main FAQ's PageFAQ # 5
ALL-WaysTM Support
What is meant by a horse’s ESP Running Style?
Horses are herd animals. And, herd animals are very predictable. Some horses want to be in the front of the pack. Others are content to be up close but not on the lead. Still others prefer to be in the middle of the pack. Then there are those that want to bring up the rear.
Every horse, without exception, has one of four distinct running styles. ALL-Ways software looks at all the past performances of a horse to determine the horse’s preferred running style. These are referred to as ESP Running Styles, a term borrowed, with permission, from Tom Brohamer and the Sartin Methodology. The four styles are:
EARLY (ESP "E"): The horse must have the lead.
EARLY PRESSER (ESP "EP"): The horse is comfortable on the lead or following the leader one to three lengths back.
PRESSER (ESP "P"): Prefers to run four to seven lengths behind the leader.
SUSTAINER (ESP "S"): Prefers staying in the back of the pack in favor of a strong late run.
Running styles are incredibly important. By using ALL-Ways ESP Running Styles, you will be able to project where each horse will run all the way up to the 2nd call (4 furlongs in sprints and 6 furlongs in routes).
We strongly suggest that you read the ALL-Ways Newsletter of October 1996. It introduces a very simple but very powerful approach to pace handicapping.