The past performance, or pp as it’s sometimes called, is your key to unlocking the puzzle of the race. It comes in many shapes and sizes, displaying varying types and amounts of data, laid out with a variety of subtle differences, but at the end of the day it’s giving you the data you need about the conditions of the race and the horses running in it.

In my contribution to the Letter to a New Horseplayer series, I tried to stress that there is a giant amount of data available to you as a handicapper, and you should NOT feel obligated to use all of it… especially when you’re starting out! Cozy up to a few data points and expand to new ones as you become familiar and comfortable. You’ll figure out which data you like to use most, what angles are most appealing… think journey, not destination.

Each of the brand name past performances has its own appeal and band of loyal followers. In fact, here at HRF Headquarters we don’t all use the same thing. Here’s a brief run down of each:

The Program
Some folks prefer a less is more approach and go with the track program. This form of past performance has the least amount of data but in some cases may include a synopsis of each entrant, generally supplied by the track handicapper.

Some programs include a modified version of Equibase past performances; when this is the case, the program will provide a key to all the data elements. If you’re relatively new to handicapping, be prepared to flip back and forth between the key and the race page. Don’t feel bad… we’ve all been there!

BRIS, our Preferred Past Performance Provider
BRIS offers a variety of options including Condensed, Premium and Ultimate past performances. You can grab a free sample of each at their site. Also available for download are pdfs that explain all the data points on each style of past performance.

One of things that users of BRIS like is that these past performances go above and beyond just presenting the data by providing summaries of the race. Each type of BRIS past performance includes Class Rating, Speed Last Race and Best Speed at the Distance. As you go up the price scale you get more ratings and analysis including their BRIS Prime Power Number, biases and averages.

Another excellent feature of BRIS is that they allow you to create your own card. (must be logged-in to access) For example, if you wanted to play three races at Aqueduct, two at Fair Grounds and four at Gulfstream Park you could compile those races into one card, versus buying three cards.

See an explanation of the data points in the Brisnet Ultimate Past Performance with Comments here (pdf)

Daily Racing Form
This author’s personal choice offers a print edition, downloadable pdfs and a tool called Formulator. Formulator used to be a Windows only application (which might still be available) but they’ve built a rather robust web-based application that provides, in addition to the usual past performance data, access to more information than is contained in the print/pdf version.

Many a purist swears by the print addition, noting that the feel of the newspaper is the most authentic experience. I personally use the pdf version but on occasion will data mine for trainer patterns, jockey stats, etc., in Formulator. The Daily Racing Form, also referred to DRF or The Form, offers Beyer Speed Figures (aka BSFs) and Moss Pace Figures. You can grab free samples and try out Formulator for free at DRF’s site.

They have a handy tutorial on “How to Read the Form” that I visited frequently when trying to figure how to handicap/get a handle on all the data. Simply click on an are of the past performance it loads in explanation of all the data points. While the new design looks nice, it’s a little poky loading in each section, but where it goes above and beyond other similar guides is that it allows you to find out the meaning of each of these data points by clicking on it.

Equibase
Frequently found in programs, Equibase offers a basic and a premium past performance. They offer free samples and a handy “How to Read an Equibase Past Performance” for both the basic and premium version. Equibase also offers its own speed and pace figures.

Trackmaster
Similar to DRF’s Formulator, Trackmaster is the Equibase handicapping software but unlike Formulator, Trackmaster has it’s own site. There are three levels of software available for free download: Basic, Plus and Pro. You can view samples, see demos and see screen shots at the site. It should be noted that Trackmaster is a Windows based application so you’re out of luck if you’re not on Windows.

Each provider offers subscriptions, bundled packages and additional products beyond the past performance. For example, you also can purchase lifetime past performances for individual horses among other things.

While all the products vary slightly, listed below is generally what you’ll find in any past performance (with the exception of the track program). This list is based on the Daily Racing Form past performance model. Instead of providing an explanation of each item, I’ll direct you to the aforementioned DRF Past Performance tutorial.

Information about the horse, it’s connections and overall record:
Name of the horse
Number of the horse
Name of the jockey
Name of the owner
Jockey’s record at the track/on the year
Description of the silks
Color of the horse
Age of the horse
Sire
Stud fee
Dam
Dam’s sire
Breeder
Trainer
Trainer’s record at the track/on the year
Medication
Equipment
Weight
Lifetime record
Current year record
Total Earnings
Highest Beyer Speed Figure
Last year’s record
Dirt fast track record
Dirt wet track record
Turf record
Synthetic record

Information about past races on a per race basis:
Date of the race
Race number
Track
Track condition
Race distance
Surface
Fractional times
Final time
Race type
Beyer Speed Figure
Post position
Position at points of call
Finish position
Jockey
Medication
Weight carried
Blinkers
Final odds
Track variants
First three finishers of the race
Comment line
Number of starters

Information about work outs and trainer stats:
Workouts
Trainer stats
Jockey/trainer stats

As with everything else, try a few different products and see what you like. And remember, sometimes less is more!