Today’s Racing Digest is designed to do the heavy analytical work that serious horseplayers have always done manually — and present it in a clear, usable format.
This page explains how to read the Digest, what the key figures and features mean, and — most importantly — how bettors actually use them when deciding whether a race is worth playing.
You do not need to use every figure on every race. The Digest is a toolbox, not a checklist.
Start with class: Race Competition Level (RCL)
Class is the backbone of the Digest.
Today’s Racing Digest uses a class-based performance rating system that assigns a numerical value to each type of race. This number represents the overall strength of the competition.
- Races are rated on a scale from 75 to 210
- The higher the number, the stronger the race
- Most class levels have fixed ratings
Examples:
- A Grade I stakes race for older males is always rated 210
- A $32,000 claiming race for older fillies and mares is rated 140
Three-year-old and two-year-old races receive higher class ratings as the year progresses to reflect maturation and deeper competition.
This numeric system allows you to quickly compare:
- One class of horses to another
- Whether a horse is moving up or down in class
- How demanding today’s race really is
Class ratings in the race header (Enhanced & Premium editions)
The race header summarizes class information so you don’t have to scan every past performance.
Race Level
The Race Level is the RCL assigned to today’s race.
It tells you how strong the competition is expected to be.
RRL – Recent Race Level
The Recent Race Level (RRL) shows the class rating of the horse’s most recent race.
- A difference of 5 points equals roughly one class level
- Compare the RRL to today’s Race Level to see if the horse is:
- Moving up in class
- Dropping in class
- Holding steady
RCL – Competitive Class Level
This RCL reflects the highest class level at which the horse has been competitive within the last 90 days.
- An “x” indicates the horse has not been competitive at any recent class level
This helps identify horses that may look good on paper but have not proven competitive against similar competition.
Past Class
Past Class shows the highest class level at which the horse has ever been effective (excluding two-year-old races).
This gives you a quick sense of:
- How classy the horse once was
- Whether today’s class level fits its historical ability
Class ratings in the data lines
Each running line in the data section also includes an RCL.
This represents the class level of that specific past race.
By comparing:
- The RCL in the data line
- To today’s Race Level
You can quickly see:
- How much class relief or pressure the horse is facing
- Whether recent form was earned against stronger or weaker fields
Understanding pace in the Digest
Pace handicapping is not about isolated numbers.
Fractional times, running styles, track variants, and final times are all connected.
The Digest is designed to show how those pieces fit together.
Pace figures in the race header (Enhanced & Premium editions)
Track Profile
The Track Profile shows which running styles have been winning at today’s distance and surface over the most recent racing days.
- Running styles are grouped as:
- F = Frontrunner
- P = Presser
- M = Mid-pack
- R = Late-runner
- The profile lists:
- Number of races analyzed
- Win percentage by running style
This allows you to judge whether a horse’s running style fits how the track has actually been playing.
AFTL – Average For The Level
AFTL represents the par times for today’s class level.
In simple terms:
- This is how fast this class of horse typically runs on a normal surface
By comparing a horse’s adjusted times to the AFTL, you can see:
- Which horses have run close to par
- Which have consistently fallen short
TOT – Speed and class combined
TOT is the sum of:
- RCL (class)
- CPR (performance rating)
This figure provides a quick check to see whether a horse has enough speed for today’s class level.
A horse must have both:
- Adequate speed
- Adequate class
To be a realistic win candidate.
PER – Performance Early in the Race
PER projects where the horse is expected to be positioned in the early part of today’s race.
This projection is based on:
- Adjusted fractional times
- Running style
- Projected pace scenario
Running style codes:
- F = Frontrunner
- P = Pressing speed
- M = Mid-pack
- R = Late-runner
- x / ? = Running style unknown or unavailable
Comparing PER to the Track Profile helps determine whether the horse’s style is a good fit today.
Fractional Charting: visualizing today’s race
Fractional Charting is the Digest’s projected “paper race.”
Each horse is represented by a past performance chosen by the Digest staff as most representative of its ability under today’s conditions.
The chart shows:
- Projected early fractions
- Likely frontrunners and pace pressure
- Strongest closers
- Projected final times
- Par times for today’s class
General guidelines many players use:
- Any horse within one second (five lengths) of the chart-topper should be considered capable of winning
- In maiden races, if no horse charts close to par, first-time starters deserve a closer look
Many experienced players use Fractional Charting as a way to:
- Visualize race shape
- Identify pace mismatches
- Return to basics during cold streaks
Reading the Digest’s running lines
Unlike raw past performances, the Digest’s running lines are adjusted to today’s race conditions.
Each line shows:
- Position at each call
- The horse’s own time at each call (not the leader’s)
All times are adjusted to:
- Today’s distance
- Today’s surface
- Track pars and daily variants
Routes are adjusted to route distances, sprints to sprint distances (routes are not converted to sprints, or vice versa).
This makes it easier to compare:
- Horses coming from different tracks
- Horses changing distances
- Horses switching surfaces
Beaten lengths (decimal format)
Beaten lengths are shown in decimal form for precision:
- Nose = 0.05
- Head = 0.10
- Neck = 0.25
- ½ length = 0.50
- ¾ length = 0.75
Pace and final time ratings
Pace Ratings (PAC RAT) measure early speed:
- First two calls in sprints
- Middle calls in routes
Higher numbers indicate faster early pace.
Final Time Ratings (FNL RAT) are calculated from final times adjusted by the day’s track variant.
Because pace influences final time, these figures are best interpreted together — not in isolation.
How to actually use the Digest
The Digest is most effective when used selectively.
A common approach:
- Start with class and projected race shape
- Decide if the race is worth betting
- Use figures to confirm or reject contenders
- Pass races that don’t make sense
You don’t need to use every figure. You need to use the right information at the right time.
Final thought
Today’s Racing Digest exists to give you context, structure, and clarity — not to force bets.
The figures and features are there to support disciplined decision-making. Used properly, they help you focus on races that make sense and avoid the ones that don’t.
That approach has been the foundation of the Digest for more than 50 years — and it’s still how serious players read it today.