[gamblin4ever]

Originally Posted by PatCummings

There is an official handicapper who rates all horses. Races are written for horses based on their rating.

For example - a handicap for horses rated 95-105.

If you're numerical rating is in that range, you can enter. Horses get preference the higher the rating, so take away names, and race might look like this.

#1 - 105 (132 lbs)
#2 - 104 (131 lbs)
#3 - 102 (129 lbs)
#4 - 102 (129 lbs)
#5 - 101 (127 lbs)
#6 - 100 (125 lbs)
#7 - 100 (125)
#8 - 100 (125)
#9 - 100 (125)
#10 - 99 (124)
#11 - 99 (124)
#12 - 98 (123)
#13 - 97 (121)
#14 - 96 (120)
AE #15 - 95 (119)
AE #16 - 95 (119)

This is quite possibly the opposite of the type of racing that exists in the US now - no condition other than the official rating. While the increase/decrease of the rating is, to some degree, arbitrary (and the source of some controversy, always), I've really grown to like the system. Frankly, it makes sense. Perform well, rating up, perform poorly, rating down - base all races on those ratings, handicap accordingly.

Thanks Pat.