The Digest Race Sheets Core Features
Choose a path below. Start with the basics if you are new to the Digest, or switch to the second path to see how the Race Sheet’s ratings, analysis, class tools, pace projections, trainer stats, comments, and data lines work together.
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Overview
Race Setup
Distance: Shows how far today’s race will be run. Some horses are better sprinting, while others need longer races. If this was a turf race, we'd also note that here.
Tip: Compare this with BST DIST, PER, and Track Profile.
Race Conditions: Describes the type of race being run and the eligibility rules for the horses entered.
Tip: Use this with Race Level to understand how tough today’s assignment is.
Race Conditions: This is the abbreviated version of the race conditions. It gives experienced users a faster way to identify the race type.
Tip: Use the full Race Conditions text when the abbreviation is unfamiliar.
Track Profile: Shows which running styles have been winning at this distance, such as frontrunners, pressers, midpack runners, or late runners.
Tip: Compare this with each horse’s PER running style in column 7.
Race Level: Shows the class strength of today’s race using the Digest’s Race Competition Level system. Higher numbers mean tougher races.
Tip: Compare today’s Race Level with each horse’s RRL, RCL, PST CLS, and AVG RCL.
Purse – Shows the total prize money available in the race. Larger purses often indicate stronger or more important races.
Tip: Use purse as context, but rely more on Race Level when judging class.
AFTL: Stands for Average For The Level. These are par times for this class of race under normal conditions.
Tip: Use AFTL as a benchmark for whether horses have run fast enough for this level.
Favorites: Shows how often favorites have won or finished in the money under similar race conditions.
Tip: If favorites perform poorly in this type of race, be more open to alternatives.
Post Position Order
Horses are listed in post-position order when the Race Sheet is produced. This is not always the final betting or program number.
Tip: Always confirm the final program number before placing a wager, especially because Race Sheets are produced several days before post time.
Horse
This is the horse’s name. Each row belongs to one horse, and the ratings across that row apply to that horse.
Tip: Read across the row to compare that horse’s speed, class, running style, equipment, and Handicapping Factors.
Age/Sex
Shows the horse’s age and sex, such as colt, gelding, filly, mare, horse, or ridgling.
Tip: Age and sex can affect how a horse fits today’s race, especially when younger horses face older horses or females face males.
Equipment
Shows equipment or race-day designations for the horse, such as blinkers, front wraps, four wraps, Lasix, shadow roll, or claimed-out notation.
Tip: Equipment can help explain changes in focus, running style, soundness concerns, or race-day setup. Pay extra attention when equipment changes from one race to the next.
ET — Expected Times
ET shows the projected times today’s field is expected to run at key points in the race, based on the Digest’s Fractional Charting.
Tip: Compare the ET line with AFTL to see whether today’s field projects faster or slower than the average times for this race level.
AT — Average Times
AT shows the average times for mid-level races at today’s distance and surface.
Tip: Compare AT with ET and AFTL. ET shows what today’s field is projected to run, while AFTL shows the average times for today’s race level.
AFTL — Average For The Level
AFTL shows the average times for today’s specific race level. It acts like a par-time benchmark for the class of horses running in this race.
Tip: Compare AFTL with ET. If ET is faster than AFTL, today’s field projects strong for the level. If ET is slower, the race may be softer or less predictable.
Quick Ratings
Unlike speed figures that focus only on final time, the FIRE Number is based on the horse’s speed throughout the entire race. In the Race Header, we show the FIRE Number we expect the horse to earn in today’s race, giving you a fuller view of its projected overall performance and making it easier to compare contenders.
FIRE is based on a 100 par, while many of the Digest’s other figures are based on a 150 par.
Tip: Higher is better. About two FIRE points equals roughly one length.
CPR — Comprehensive Performance Rating
CPR is a Digest performance rating that takes pace, final time, closing strength, and track variant into account. In the Race Header, we show the CPR we expect the horse to earn in today’s race.
Tip: Higher is better. Use CPR with FIRE and Fast Fig to see which horses are competitive across more than one rating.
Fast Fig
Fast Fig is an AI-driven performance figure that combines speed, pace, and strength of field into one number. In the Race Header, we show the Fast Fig we expect the horse to earn in today’s race.
Tip: Higher is better. Horses within five points of the top Fast Fig should usually be considered contenders.
FNL RAT — Final Time Rating
The Final Time Rating measures a horse’s final time against the Digest’s track pars, with the daily track variant factored in. A horse equaling the track par for the distance would earn a 150 Final Time Rating, with three points deducted for each length slower than par.
Tip: Higher is better. Use FNL RAT to compare how strongly each horse is expected to finish in today’s race.
PER — Performance Early in Race
PER shows the horse’s expected running style in the early part of today’s race: F = Frontrunner, P = Pace Presser, M = Mid-pack runner, and R = Rear runner / late runner.
Tip: Compare PER with the Track Profile to see whether today’s race setup may favor that horse’s running style.
RRL — Recent Race Level
RRL shows the Race Competition Level of the horse’s last race. It helps you see the class level the horse most recently competed against.
Tip: Compare RRL to today’s Race Level. If today’s Race Level is higher, the horse is moving up in class. If it is lower, the horse may be dropping into easier company.
RCL — Race Competition Level
RCL shows the highest class level where the horse has been competitive locally within the last 90 days. It helps you judge whether the horse has recently proven it can compete near today’s level.
Tip: Compare RCL to today’s Race Level. A horse with an RCL close to or above today’s Race Level usually fits the class of the race better.
BST SUR shows the highest Race Competition Level where the horse has been competitive on today’s surface, such as dirt, turf, or synthetic, within the past six months.
Tip: Compare BST SUR to today’s Race Level. A strong number means the horse has already shown it can handle this surface at or near today’s class level.
BST DST — Best Distance Class Rating
BST DST shows the highest Race Competition Level where the horse has been competitive at today’s distance type, such as a sprint or route, within the past six months.
Tip: Compare BST DST to today’s Race Level. A strong number means the horse has already shown it can handle this type of distance at or near today’s class level.
PST CLS — Past Class
PST CLS shows the highest Race Competition Level where the horse has been effective in the past. It helps identify horses that may have handled stronger company before, even if their recent races are at a lower level.
Tip: Strong past class matters most when the horse also shows signs of current form or improvement.
AVG RCL — Average Race Competition Level
AVG RCL shows the horse’s average recent Race Competition Level in races where it was competitive. It is based on qualifying races from the past six months.
Tip: Compare AVG RCL to today’s Race Level. A horse with an AVG RCL close to today’s Race Level has shown it can compete around this class level more than once.
LST RAT — Last Race Final Time Rating
LST RAT shows the Final Time Rating the horse earned in its last start. It gives you a quick look at how strongly the horse finished in its most recent race.
Tip: Higher is better. A strong LST RAT is most useful when today’s race is similar in distance, surface, and class.
BST RAT — Best Final Time Rating
BST RAT shows the highest Final Time Rating the horse has earned in its lifetime. It gives you a quick look at the horse’s best proven final-time performance.
Tip: A strong BST RAT shows upside, but current form still matters. Use it with LST RAT to see whether the horse is still running near its best.
BST SUR — Best Surface Rating
BST SUR shows the best Final Time Rating the horse has earned on today’s surface, such as dirt, turf, or synthetic.
Tip: Surface matters. A strong BST SUR is more useful when today’s race is on the same surface where the horse has already run well.
BST DIST — Best Distance Rating
BST DIST shows the best Final Time Rating the horse has earned at today’s distance type, such as a sprint or route.
Tip: Use BST DIST to see whether the horse has already shown finishing ability at a similar distance. A strong rating helps confirm that today’s trip fits.
Analysis & Comments
Analysis & Comments Coming Soon
Past Performances
Past Performances Coming Soon
Connections
Connections Coming Soon