Handicapping a Horse Race – The Dosage Diagram and Dosage Index

horse race

What do the numbers on a horse race mean? You will learn about the Dosage indicator and Dosage diagram, as well as the percentages of the track, Jumps, and other factors that influence the outcome of a race. Once you have the numbers, you can make a sound decision about your bets. Here are some tips for picking the winners:

Dosage diagram

Whether you’re handicapping a horse race for a living or simply want to know which horses will perform best at a certain distance, a Dosage Diagram is an indispensable tool. This chart is composed of five separate figures, each representing an individual performance. In order to calculate the best horse dosage, divide the first two figures by the sum of the second two. This figure will then be multiplied by the number of runs the horse is expected to make.

Dosage indicator

Dosage index is a mathematical representation of a horse’s potential for speed and stamina. Horses with a higher index score are likely to perform best in shorter races while horses with a lower number are more likely to excel in longer races. Dosage indexes for North American thoroughbreds are generally 2.40, but there are many exceptions. Horses with a Dosage index of “infinity” have only Brilliant or Intermediate chef de race influences.

Track percentages

Among the factors used to determine the odds of a horse race are the percentage of winners, distance, and surface. The Win% shows a horse’s likelihood of winning the race, while the Avg. Best 2 of Last 3 factor averages the two highest speed figures from the last three races. The lowest speed number, however, is not included, since it might have been off the track or hampered by trouble in the last race. The Speed Last Race factor is also an important factor to look at, as it represents a horse’s speed and pace in its last start. The In The Money Percent shows how many times a horse has placed in the money or won.

Jumps in a race

A study in the UK found that horses that are whipped are seven times more likely to fall from a horse race than their counterparts who are not whipped. This finding should have spurred the racing industry to tighten whip rules and investigate the use of the whip. The Australian racing industry has taken action and doubled the number of whip strikes allowed during jumps races. Regardless of the reasons, horse racing is cruel and unnecessary to animals.

Jockeys in a race

Typically, a horse that is going to make a run will pace itself behind the leaders. It will then go when the jockey commands it to. The timing of this run is important, because if the horse moves too early or too late, it could tire before it catches up to the leaders or miss an opportunity to pass them. Ideally, the horse will be able to run at its own pace, which is more efficient than being forced to try to outpace them.

Origin of the word “maiden” in horse racing

The word “maiden” has a long history in horse racing. It originally referred to a young virgin. Later, the word was applied to unmarried females and to untried things, including weapons, ships, and knights. The phrase “maiden race” first appeared in the 1760s. The meaning of “maiden” in horse racing has changed over time, but it remains an apt term for all horses.

Meaning of “ridden out”

In a horse race, a horse can be “ridden out” if it loses the race due to weariness, infirmity, or inexperience. This could be caused by bad steps away from the starting gate, the track surface breaking under the horse’s hooves, or by a combination of factors. The horse can be “ridden out” if it is more than one year old or has a low-maintenance disposition, or it could simply be a horse’s inexperience and age.

Stakes races vs. allowance races

The differences between stakes and allowance races are primarily in purse value. Stakes races offer a higher purse than allowance races, but the horses that win them are not necessarily priced for sale. Additionally, allowance races feature a higher standard of performance than claiming races. As a result, it’s possible to find big-odds winners in allowance races. But before you start betting on allowance races, you should understand the differences between the two.

CALLER

Race callers have a unique connection to horse racing. They’re as much a part of the history of the sport as the champion race horses themselves. And some of the greatest race calls are remembered almost as fondly as the horses themselves. In this panel, top race callers share their stories and how they became legendary in the horse racing world. Read on to learn about the most famous race calls. And if you’re still not sure who is the best horse race caller, watch for the winners and losers in this exciting panel.

SESAMOID

If a race horse experiences lameness, the problem may be related to a fractured sesamoid bone. Such injuries occur due to a violent strain or traumatism. The sesamoid joint usually moves unusually while the horse travels fast. On palpation, swelling may be noted. An x-ray examination is necessary to confirm the diagnosis. Sesamoid injuries can cause lameness, swelling, and hot fetlocks.