By Jarrod Horak
In this how to use Today’s Racing Digest horse racing video, I discuss how to use Fast Figs to make money at the racetrack. I use Today’s Racing Digest past performance data as examples, and this is the seventh video in the how to use the Digest series.
The Fast Figs system is one of the most profitable handicapping tools in the game, and in this video tutorial, veteran handicapper Jared Horack breaks down exactly how to use it using real-world examples from Santa Anita, Keeneland, and the Digest’s Complete Racing Digest product.
This written guide expands on that tutorial, giving you a full explanation of what Fast Figs are, why they work, and how to use them to identify overlooked winners and betting value.
What Are Fast Figs?
Fast Figs are part of the Complete Digest, one of the most widely used handicapping products at Today’s Racing Digest. Created by Tim Austerman, they combine:
- Performance Rating
- Class Rating
- Strength of Field Faced
- Overall Race Effort
Fast Figs convert all of that into a single number, giving you a clean, powerful way to compare horses quickly and accurately.
Why bettors love them:
- They reveal overlooked value horses
- They pinpoint contenders from any circuit
- They filter races down fast
- They regularly identify longshots that outrun their odds
Proven profitability
Over decades of data:
- Top Fast Fig win bets produce ~112% return
- Place bets average ~106% return
- Show bets average ~102% return
That’s why Jared calls Fast Figs “one of Today’s Racing Digest’s most profitable figures.”
How to Read Fast Figs
Here’s what Jared highlights in the tutorial:
Horses within five points of the top Fast Fig
These should be considered serious win contenders.
Horses with an X rating
These are horses where a reliable rating cannot be assigned, usually because they are:
- First-time starters
- Shippers from a new circuit
- Long layoffs (4+ months)
- Horses with insufficient or unreliable data
Treat X-rated horses as wildcards — potential but unproven.
When two or more horses tie for top Fast Fig
Break the tie by comparing:
- Fire Number (speed throughout the race)
- CPR (Comprehensive Performance Rating)
- Recent Pace Ratings
Whichever of the tied horses shows stronger CPR + Fire Numbers is almost always the stronger play.
Where to Find Fast Figs
Fast Figs appear in the Complete Digest race sheet:
- Scroll to the “Fast Figs” section
- Review each horse’s rating
- Compare the Fast Fig to the Class Par for that race
- Identify the horses nearest or above par
Jared shows these exact steps using examples from Santa Anita and Keeneland.
FAST FIG EXAMPLES FROM THE VIDEO
Below is a breakdown of every example from your transcript, fully integrated into this guide.
Santa Anita — Race 6 (October 4)
- Class Par: 116
- Top Fast Figs:
- #1 Falcon Jet — 113
- #6 Conducted — 113
- #4 Medici — 110 (SCR)
- #5 Honey’s Choice — 109
What happened?
- Conducted wired the field
- Honey’s Choice finished 2nd
- Falcon Jet finished 3rd
➡️ Result: The top three Fast Fig horses ran 1–2–3 exactly as predicted.
➡️ This is Fast Figs doing exactly what they are designed to do: identifying the true contenders quickly.
Santa Anita — Race 8: Rodeo Drive Stakes (G1)
- Class Par: 136
- Top Fast Figs:
- #7 Amber Cascade — 134
- #1 Long Ago — 132
- #5 Mission of Joy — 131
Despite being a wide-open turf stakes, Fast Figs highlighted the true players.
What happened?
- Mission of Joy (3rd Fast Fig) won at almost 12-1
- Amber Cascade pressed the pace but tired
- Mission of Joy’s competitive Fast Fig set her up as a live longshot overlay
This example shows where Fast Figs shine — identifying high-priced contenders in large turf fields.
Santa Anita — Race 9: Oak Leaf Stakes (G2)
- Class Par: 122
- Top Fast Figs:
- #3 Lwali — 116
- #6 Explorer — 116
Jared used that tie situation just like Fast Figs are meant to be used.
What happened?
- Explorer sat the perfect tactical trip and won
- Lwali finished second
- Jared hit the exacta using both
Again, Fast Figs produced the perfect exacta combination.
Keeneland — Race 4 (October 5)
- Class Par: 116
- Top Fast Fig:
- #5 Patrol Squad Six — 116
The next nearest Fast Fig horses were far below par.
What happened?
- Patrol Squad Six won at $5.60
- The 10-cent super paid $110+, thanks to longshots filling out the underneath spots
When a horse hits the par while others don’t, Fast Figs often identify a standout single.
How to Use Fast Figs in Your Own Betting
Here’s the process Jared uses — and the one recommended in the Digest guides:
Step 1 — Identify the Top Fast Fig
Start every race by circling the top-rated horse(s).
Step 2 — Mark All Horses Within 5 Points
These are your win contenders.
Example:
Top FF = 116
Contenders = 111–116
✔ Step 3 — Break Ties Using CPR + Fire Numbers
When two horses tie:
- Choose the one with stronger CPR
- Or higher Fire Number
- Or superior Recent Pace Rating
This filters “tied” contenders into ranked selections.
Step 4 — Compare Fast Fig to Class Par
This is crucial:
If the top Fast Fig hits or exceeds par
→ The horse is a likely win candidate
→ Consider singling in horizontal bets
If no horse hits par
→ Expect a chaotic race
→ Look for value plays within 10–12 points
Step 5 — Build Wagers Based on FF Strength
When FF top 3 dominate
→ Use for trifectas (like Conducted–Honey’s Choice–Falcon Jet)
When FF shows two clear standouts
→ Play exactas both ways (Explorer & Lwali)
When FF shows one standout
→ Use that horse as single
→ Spread underneath
Why Fast Figs Deliver Value
Fast Figs consistently produce overlay horses because:
- Most bettors rely only on speed figures
- Fast Figs include class strength, which basic PPs ignore
- They work across dirt, turf, maiden, and stake races
- They excel at identifying live longshots in competitive fields
This is why the system’s long-term ROI is positive.
Want to Go Deeper?
Fast Figs work best when paired with other Digest numbers:
- CPR (Complete effort profile)
- Fire Number (Sustained speed)
- Pace Ratings (Race shape fit)
- Race Header (Track profile, pace forecast, stretch runners)
These tools are all available in the Complete Digest.
Get Fast Figs in Today’s Racing Digest
Fast Figs appear in:
✔ Complete Digest
✔ Race Sheets
✔ Breeders’ Cup editions
✔ Track-specific packages
Final Word
Fast Figs give you a fast, accurate way to:
- Identify contenders
- Uncover hidden value
- Rank horses by true ability
- Build stronger exotics
- Spot live longshots in big fields
- Make better bets with less work
Jared’s tutorial and these examples show how consistent and powerful Fast Figs can be — especially when used with CPR, Fire Numbers, and pace analysis.