The racing form — sometimes called the program or past performances (PPs) — is your primary tool for making smarter horse racing bets. It contains a horse’s entire competitive history, trainer/jockey data, class levels, and performance figures. At first glance it can look intimidating, but once you know what to look for, it becomes a bettor’s best friend.
What Is a Racing Form?
What Is a Racing Form?
A racing form is a printed or digital document listing every horse in a race, along with stats on their previous runs. The most popular version in the US is produced by the Daily Racing Form (DRF), but similar versions exist trackside and online.
It helps you evaluate:
How fast a horse is
What class it competes at
How it performs on different surfaces
Trainer and jockey performance
Recent form and fitness
Key Elements Explained
Key Elements Explained
PP Lines: Each line shows one past race, including date, track, race class, surface, distance, result, and speed figure.
Speed Figures: Numerical values that adjust for track conditions and allow apples-to-apples comparison.
Class Levels: Indicate competition level — Maiden, Claiming, Allowance, Stakes, etc.
Jockey/Trainer Stats: Shows win %, recent hot streaks, and specialty stats (e.g., turf wins).
Post Position & Weight: Minor factors that can matter in competitive fields or short distances.
Reading Strategy for New Bettors
Reading Strategy for New Bettors
Start by eliminating horses that routinely finish far back in similar company.
Look for consistency: horses finishing in the money (top 3) regularly.
Identify “form cycles” — is the horse improving or declining?
Did You Know? Some top handicappers spend more time studying PPs than watching replays. They look for trends hidden in the numbers, like second-race-off-layoff patterns or horses switching back to a preferred surface.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most important stat in a horse racing form?
What is the most important stat in a horse racing form?
The speed figure is often the most revealing. It adjusts for track differences and gives a true measure of how fast the horse really ran.
How many past races are shown in a typical racing form?
How many past races are shown in a typical racing form?
Most racing forms include between 5 and 10 previous performances, depending on space, recent activity, and the publication source.
Do all racing forms include the same information?
Do all racing forms include the same information?
No. While the basics (PPs, class, trainer, jockey) are consistent, some include more advanced data like pace figures, trouble notes, or trip comments.
What’s the easiest way to start using a racing form?
What’s the easiest way to start using a racing form?
Focus on the most recent race, the track surface, and class level, and try comparing similar races side by side across contenders.
Are racing forms available on MyWinners.com?
Are racing forms available on MyWinners.com?
Yes. When you click into a race, past performance summaries are available directly through the platform for supported tracks and bet types.