Race Pace Shapes

About 65% of races are won by horses that are not the top figure horse. The main reason for this phenomenon is that the top speed figure horse is not suited to the pace match-up of the race.

Horses are herd animals. Every horse has a distinct running style that corresponds to the position the horse wants to occupy in the herd. Here are the four basic running styles:

A Early Speed: Wants the lead
B Early Pressers: OK on the lead or within 2-3 lengths
C Stalkers: Want to be 4-7 lengths off the lead
D Closers: Run at the back of the pack

Race Pace Shapes

Fast Early : AAA three or more “A” horses
AA two “A” horses

Lone Early : one “A” and no “B” horse
one “B” and no “C” horses

Honest: one “A’, one or more “B” horses
two or more “B” horses

Slow: two or more “C” horses
one “C”
all “D”