The Henry Kuck Ratings are unlike any other
figures. Their unequalled precision has been proven over
and over again at tracks across the United States and
Canada. Three figures are computed for every race:
Class (c); Pace (p); Variant (v). Each measures an
important facet of a horse’s performance. Viewed
together, the three figures provide the most fully-rounded
view available of how well-suited a horse may
be to handle its competition. For most profitable use of
these figures, please read the instructions carefully and
handicap in accordance with their guidelines.
VARIANT (v): The most significant figure. It
reflects the speed of the track plus a great deal more. At
a glance, this figure evaluates the horse’s performance
on a given day. A comparison of the “v” figures for each
horse quickly determines which has shown the most
ability. The higher the “v” figure the better the performance.
The “v” number listed for a race is the rating the
winner earned. To arrive at a rating for any other horse
in that race, simply subtract one point from the listed
rating of the race for each length the horse was beaten.
For example, if the “v” rating listed for the race is 78
and the horse won, that winner rates a 78. A horse that
lost that race by three lengths rates a 75 (78-3). A
difference of just one rating point signifies a real advantage
of about one length. Such an advantage often
proves decisive. Rate the horse’s two most recent starts,
as well as earlier races contested under like conditions
(distance, surface, track condition) which the horse won
or was beaten only a few lengths . Compare the earlier
ratings to the more recent ones to determine whether the
horse is at its best, may be improving, or has gone off
form.
PACE (p): The pace of today’s race plays a
critical role in determining whether any horse may be
able to match its top-rated (v) effort. If, for instance, a
horse MUST race on the lead to be successful, the
presence in the race of two or more other horses with
equal or superior pace (p) ratings will regularly compromise
the chance the front-runner has of showing to best
advantage. Conversely, any top-rated horse (v) that also
enjoys an early speed (p) advantage will prove extremely
difficult to defeat. The pace rating enables a handicapper
to determine how contentious the battle for the early
lead might be and where any horse is likely to be
positioned during the early stages of a race. The “p”
figure listed for a race is the rating for the horse that was
leading at the second call (1/2 mile call in sprints, 3/4
mile call in routes). To find the pace rating for any other
horse in that race, subtract one point from the listed pace
figure for each length behind (the same procedure as
with “v” ratings).
CLASS (c): Evaluates the class of the horses that
were actually in contention in a race. Often, the classiest
animal in the field is out of form or suffers bad racing
luck and plays no part in the outcome. The Class figure
(c) tells what a horse really beat, or what a decisively
defeated horse was unable to beat. It often reveals that
a claiming race was of higher quality than an allowance,
or that one claiming race was better than another with an
identical top selling price. Class figures help separate
contenders otherwise closely matched. They can also
explain a poor effort when they reveal a horse was
overmatched. A Class difference over 10% is significant. |
DISTANCE: Whenever possible, rate races at
today’s EXACT distance. If no such race appears in the
record, rate efforts at distances both longer and shorter
than today’s to establish a range within which the horse
is likely to perform. If the horse shows no race at a
distance as long as today’s, it may not be held as a top
contender unless it has proven amenable to rating tactics
in past starts and posted higher figures than any other
starter previously recorded at today’s distance. Also, if
the horse has been competing in routes but races in a
sprint today, then it is acceptable to take its pace rating
from a route (three-quarter mile position) as indicative of
its sprinting capability.
TRACK CONDITION: Not many horses run as
well on wet tracks as on dry, or over yielding turf as
over firm. If the track is off today, you can expect
improvement from any starter who has improved in
similar circumstances in the past. And you should
downgrade any horse previously unable to handle
today’s kind of racing strip.
TURF RACING : Some horses can run only on
grass, others only on dirt. If a horse runs well on both,
you can take its ratings from recent efforts on both.
Otherwise, eliminate horses unsuited to today’s grass (or
dirt) and rate other contenders entirely on the basis of
their performance on the grass (or dirt, if today’s is on
dirt).
FINAL SEPARATIONS: A difference of as little
as one point in the adjusted speed ratings means a racing
margin of about one length. If each of the two horses
earned the same adjusted rating in its latest performance,
see whether increasing ratings in its last two or three
races indicate that one of the horses is improving.
Always favor the improving horse. Always be cautious
of a horse whose ratings have been declining.
ODDS: Between two horses so closely matched
that you have trouble separating them, always favor the
one at higher odds. Or, if you like exacta play, couple
them both ways.
EXCUSES: If a contender had an excuse in one of
the races you are rating, mark that rating with a “+” to
note an animal that would have rated higher with better
luck.
SHIPPERS: Our ratings are fully interchangeable
from track to track. If a shipper rates as best but its
stablemates have come up short, pass the race. If the
barn has been doing well since arriving at the track, and
the odds are right, the top-rated shipper is worth support.
In the crowded Northeast, a top-rated shipper is
always to be respected.
ANY QUESTIONS? We promise a prompt and
thoughtful answer to any question you may ask us. We
want these figures to help you win, just as so many
other subscribers have been winning since we started the
service in July, 1975. You may call any weekday
morning from 9 A.M. to 12 Noon ( Eastern time) for
any assistance we can provide.
Telephone:
908.206.0006.
Cell: 347.668.0110.
eMail: Woodside_asc@mindspring.com.
NOTE: Additional back ratings are available at a
charge of $50.00 per month.
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