By Jarrod Horak
In this how to use Today's Racing Digest article and video, I discuss how to use Speed and Pace Forecasts to make money at the racetrack. I use the Today's Racing Digest Complete Digest at Gulfstream Park on Saturday, December 20 as examples (races 2, 4, 5, 8, 9, 11). Below the video, I've also included a full write up of each race, link to the Complete Digest I used and the race replays so you can learn how to become a more profitable and effective handicapper using Today's Racing Digest products.
The Today’s Racing Digest Speed and Pace Forecasts can be found in the Race Header section in the Complete Digest.
Speed and Pace Forecasts: The Today’s Racing Digest handicappers go through each horses past performances and project out the Fire Number, CPR, Fast Fig, and Final Time Rating they believe each horse will earn in today’s race. The running style of each horse is also listed in this section.
Race 2 Results (Mcl-17.5k, 5.5f all-weather): 1st - Ez Azul ($9), 2nd - Bint Mischief, 3rd - New Lease On Life, 4th - Bella's Breeze, 5th - Camm's Girl, 6th - Serela, 7th - Miskita, 8th - Essential Girl, 9th - Luna Estrella.
Race 4 Results (MSW, 5f all-weather): 1st - Sam the Sham ($14.40), 2nd - Voltaic, 3rd - Viking Sun, 4th - Escapades, 5th - Itza Teamster, 6th - Sidearm, 7th - First Navy Jack.
Race 5 Results (Janus Stakes, 5T): 1st - Reef Runner ($5.60), 2nd - And Uwish, 3rd - Coppola, 4th - Asher's Edge, 5th - Boat's a Rockin, 6th - Litigation, 7th - Full Disclosure, 8th - Whenigettoheaven.
Race 8 Results (OC-25k/1x, 6f dirt): 1st - Lynn's Milky Way ($3), 2nd - Chatter, 3rd - Militia, 4th - Lost and Found, 5th - Just a Philly, 6th - Calathea.
Race 9 Results (Suwannee River, 8T): 1st - Crevalle d'Oro ($22.40), 2nd - Movin' On Up, 3rd - Public Defender, 4th - Do Gooder, 5th - Feather Boa, 6th - Spinning Colors, 7th - Ultimate Authority, 8th - Belle of Rights, 9th - Sirona, 10th - Leo Toro, 11th - Aussie Girl.
Race 11 Results (G3 Ft. Lauderdale, 9T): 1st - Wolfie's Dynaghost ($3.80), 2nd - Cugino, 3rd - Beach Gold, 4th - Divin Propos, 5th - Chasing the Crown, 6th - Quatrocento, 7th - Steal Sunshine, 8th - Siege of Boston.
How I Handicap a Race Using Today's Racing Digest
When I’m handicapping with Today’s Racing Digest speed and pace forecasts, I’m looking for one simple thing: projected performance that can beat the market—especially when the “best” numbers don’t land on the morning-line favorite.
I’m Jarrod Horak, and in this guide I’m going to show you exactly how I use these forecasts as a practical, bettor-first shortcut—using multiple races from Gulfstream Park on Saturday, December 20th as examples. Download the Complete Digest for this card
Where I Find Speed & Pace Forecasts
You’ll find the speed and pace forecasts in the race header section of the Premium Race Sheets that are also included in the Complete Digest.
Pro Insight
These forecasts are projections made by Today’s Racing Digest handicappers after reviewing each horse’s past performances and today’s conditions—so you’re starting with an expected “today” number, not just what a horse did last time.
What The Forecast Lines Mean (And How I Read Them)
In the header, the forecasts show four key projected figures plus a projected running style. I treat it like a compact “scoreboard” before I ever build tickets.
| Line | Label | What I’m Looking For |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | FIR | Sustained speed throughout the race |
| 4 | CPR | Pace + final time + closing ability, rolled up |
| 5 | Fast Fig | Speed + class strength in one number |
| 6 | Final Rating / Final Time Rating | A final-time-based performance snapshot |
| 7 | PER | Projected running style Early in the Race (how the race can unfold) |
FIR (Fire Number)
I start with the projected Fire Number. For me, it’s the cleanest “speed throughout the race” read in the whole block.
Bettor’s Edge
The Fire Number is built from a horse’s speed throughout the race (not just the finish). I use it to spot runners who can sustain pressure when others back up.
CPR
Next, I check the CPR because it blends the pace picture with the ability to finish.
Digest Pro Tip
CPR is a projected performance figure that accounts for early pace and final times, with adjustments like track variant and unusual pace. Higher is better.
Fast Fig
Then I look at the Fast Figs projection to get a quick read on speed-plus-class—especially useful for finding live prices that fit the level.
Insider Tip
Fast Figs blends performance and class context versus today’s race and the rest of the field, giving you a quick “who belongs here” filter. Higher suggests the stronger expected effort.
Final Time Rating
The projected Final Time Rating is my “can this horse actually finish the job?” check—especially when a speed horse looks loose early.
Pro Insight
The Final Time Rating compares final time to track pars with the daily variant included. I use it to gauge finishing strength and overall time efficiency for today’s setup.
PER (Running Style)
Finally, I check PER—the projected running style—because it tells me whether a top number is likely to get the right trip or the wrong one.
Bettor’s Edge
PER projects where a horse should be early (front, presser, midpack, rear runner). I compare those styles to the expected pace flow to avoid betting the “right horse” in the wrong setup.
Snapshot: The Gulfstream Park Examples I Used
- Track / Day: Gulfstream Park, Saturday, December 20th Download The Digest For this Card Here
- What I reviewed: Speed & pace forecasts (FIR, CPR, Fast Fig, Final Time Rating, PER)
- Why it matters: I can use this section almost as a standalone handicapping tool—then decide whether I agree or disagree before I bet.
Field Overview
- Race 2: Easy Azul, Vent Mis Mischief
- Race 4: Viking Sun, Sam the Sham
- Race 5 (Jana Stakes): Litigation, Reef Runner, Capa
- Race 8: Lynn’s Milky Way
- Race 9 (Suani River Stakes): Moving On Up, Cerrona, Creal Doro, Do Gooder, Aussie Girl, Leo Toro
- Race 11 (Fort Lauderdale Stakes G3): Wolfiey’s Dino Ghost, Naptown (scratched), Chasing the Crown, A Major Dude (scratched)
Race 2 — Maiden Claiming (5 1/2 furlongs)
In this spot, I pulled up the forecasts for the full field and focused on the best numbers (highlighted in yellow). One horse owned the block.
| Horse | FIR | CPR | Fast Fig | Final Rating | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Easy Azul | 66 | 80 | 96 | 93 | Best in all four categories |
| Vent Mis Mischief | — | — | 96 | — | Only other yellow highlight (Fast Fig) |
Easy Azul
This was the clearest kind of play I’m looking for: best Fire Number, best CPR, best Fast Fig, best final rating—all in one place. Easy Azul wasn’t the morning-line favorite, and still delivered.
Vent Mis Mischief
This one was the other key number horse because the Fast Fig matched the top figure. That made it a logical “must-use” underneath or as protection, and it did come down to these two.
My Betting Takeaway. When one horse stacks the top forecast numbers across multiple categories, I’m willing to lean hard—even if the morning line says I shouldn’t.
Quick move: Before you spread in a maiden race, scan the forecast block and see if one runner separates on multiple lines. That’s how you keep tickets tight.
Gulfstream Park Race 2 December 20, 2026 Race Replay
Race 4 — Maiden Special Weight (5 furlongs)
This race is why I don’t treat a single line like gospel. The favorite looked strong on certain projections, but the best CPR/Fast Fig horse landed the upset.
| Horse | Best Categories | Key Numbers | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Viking Sun | FIR, Final Time Rating | FIR 80; Final 122 | Disappointed as the solid favorite |
| Sam the Sham | CPR, Fast Fig | CPR 109; Fast Fig 119 | Won and upset the field |
Viking Sun
Best Fire Number and best final time rating is usually a “short price that can run.” Here, that profile didn’t fire, and that’s racing.
Sam the Sham
The CPR/Fast Fig combo is what got my attention. When the projections say a horse fits both performance shape (CPR) and speed/class (Fast Fig), I’m not ignoring it—especially when it’s not the favorite.
My Betting Takeaway. If the favorite owns one category but another horse owns CPR + Fast Fig, I respect the upset profile and build tickets that can cash when chalk fails.
Quick move: Use the forecast block as a quick “disagreement detector.” If the market loves Horse A but the projections love Horse B, you’ve got a decision worth betting.
Gulfstream Park Race 4 December 20, 2026 Race Replay
Race 5 — 5F Turf Sprint (Jana Stakes)
Here, the projections set up a clean pace-vs-finisher story: the front-running type looked dangerous on the lead, but the numbers said a stalk/midpack runner could mow them down.
| Horse | Forecast Edge | What Happened |
|---|---|---|
| Litigation | Best FIR (97) | Had the top sustained-speed projection |
| Reef Runner | Best CPR & Fast Fig | Ran down the leader to win |
| Capa | Best Final Time Rating (146); front-runner | Made the lead, but got run down |
Litigation
Top Fire Number is always worth respecting in a sprint, because it signals sustained speed. But it still has to match the trip and the finish.
Reef Runner
This is the kind of horse I love to key when the pace is honest: best CPR and best Fast Fig. That profile can win from midpack because it’s not dependent on getting loose.
Capa
Projected best final time rating and a front-running style makes sense as a favorite, and Capa did what that profile is supposed to do—go. But Reef Runner had the right numbers to run that one down.
My Betting Takeaway. In sprints, I’ll still take a midpack-type if CPR + Fast Fig says the horse can finish—especially when the projected pace looks like it can set up a run-down.
Quick move: Don’t just pick the “fastest.” Pick the horse whose forecast profile matches how you think the race will unfold.
Gulfstream Park Race 5 December 20, 2026 Race Replay
Race 8 — Allowance Optional Claiming (6 furlongs, main track)
This one was as straightforward as it gets. One horse stood out across the board, and it played out that way.
Lynn’s Milky Way
Lynn’s Milky Way had the best Fire Number, CPR, Fast Fig, and final time rating. As the favorite with early pressing speed, that one worked out the right trip and got the job done.
My Betting Takeaway. When the forecast block screams “standout” and the running style is practical (pressing speed), I’m fine singling and moving on.
Quick move: Single the clean standout so you can spend bankroll and coverage where the projections say the race is murkier.
Gulfstream Park Race 8 December 20, 2026 Race Replay
Race 9 — Suani River Stakes (1 mile, turf)
This was a more competitive forecast picture, and that’s exactly where I want the projections—because they help me build a contender set without guessing.
| Category | Horse With Edge | Number (If Stated) |
|---|---|---|
| FIR | Moving On Up | 100 |
| CPR | Cerrona | — |
| Fast Fig | Creal Doro (Post 4) | 129 |
| Final Time Rating | Do Gooder / Aussie Girl / Leo Toro | 141 |
Moving On Up
Best Fire Number at 100 told me this horse had the sustained-speed projection to be a major player—my top choice going in.
Cerrona
Owning the best CPR matters in a mile turf race because it hints at the full package: pace, finish, and overall race shape.
Creal Doro
The Fast Fig of 129 made Creal Doro a real upset candidate for me. The trip worked out, looked like it could get the job done, and even when another horse had the lead, Creal Doro was able to run that one down to win.
Do Gooder
A competitive 141 final time rating kept this one in the conversation on the finish side, even if it wasn’t the top on the other lines.
Aussie Girl
Same idea here: the final time rating put Aussie Girl on the “can finish with these” list.
Leo Toro
Another 141 final time rating horse. In a competitive forecast race, that’s enough to make the short list.
My Betting Takeaway. When the forecast block is spread across multiple horses, I treat it like a contender map—then I build tickets (like pick threes) around the best-value edge, not just the top choice.
Quick move: In competitive stakes, let the forecast block define your “A/B” group fast—then bet value, not vibes.
Gulfstream Park Race 9 December 20, 2026 Race Replay
Race 11 — Fort Lauderdale Stakes (G3, 1 1/8 miles, turf)
This is a great example of how scratches can change your final decision, but the forecast block still keeps you grounded.
| Category | Horse With Edge | Number (If Stated) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| FIR | Wolfiey’s Dino Ghost | 110 | Also the eventual winner |
| Fast Fig | Wolfiey’s Dino Ghost | 137 | Speed + class rating edge |
| CPR | Naptown | — | Scratched |
| Final Time Rating | Chasing the Crown | — | Best final-time projection |
Wolfiey’s Dino Ghost
Best Fire Number (110) and top Fast Fig (137). That combination is hard to argue with, and this horse ended up as the favorite and delivered.
Naptown — Scratched
The CPR leader scratched, which matters, because it removes one of the key performance profiles from the race.
Chasing the Crown
Best final time rating made this one a serious contender on paper, even if the winner’s overall block was stronger.
A Major Dude — Scratched
This was my original top choice, but once that one scratched, I adjusted—and the forecast profile pushed me to Wolfiey’s Dino Ghost.
My Betting Takeaway. When scratches hit, I re-check the forecast block immediately—because it tells me who benefits most from the new shape of the race.
Gulfstream Park Race 11 December 20, 2026 Race Replay
How I Use Speed & Pace Forecasts To Actually Make Money
I used to do similar work myself—after reading Modern Pace Handicapping and even doing feet-per-second calculations. Now, the Digest is doing the heavy lifting by projecting how horses should run under today’s conditions.
- Start in the race header. I scan FIR, CPR, Fast Fig, and Final Time Rating first.
- Circle “stacked” horses. If one horse leads multiple categories, I treat it like a potential single.
- Respect the upset profiles. CPR + Fast Fig leaders that aren’t favored are the exact kind of horses that juice payouts.
- Match the PER running style to the pace picture. A great number is useless if the trip is wrong.
- Use it standalone—or as a check. I handicap the race, then compare my opinion to what the Digest projects. If I disagree, I make sure I have a real reason.
Digest Pro Tip
Because these figures are “what we expect the horse to run today,” they’re designed to be read as forward-looking projections—not just a summary of the past. That’s why they’re so useful for building bets quickly.
Final Word + CTA
Bottom line: the speed and pace forecasts give me four projected performance numbers plus a projected running style, all in one compact spot. On that Gulfstream Park Saturday card, they were right on the money in multiple races—and I had a productive day, including a couple of pick threes.
Today’s Racing Digest has been providing Past Performances data to handicappers since 1970, and the Complete Digest remains one of the most popular ways to get the full picture—race header, forecasts, analysis, and wagering strategies.
Get your Digest for Gulfstream Park here: /complete-racing-digest/.
If you found this helpful, like, comment, share, and subscribe—good luck at the races.