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How to Read a Race Card

A race card is more than a list of horses — it’s a blueprint of how the race is likely to unfold. At the top, the race conditions tell you what type of race it is (Maiden, Allowance, Claiming, or Stakes), which signals the overall class and quality of competition. The distance (measured in furlongs or miles) indicates whether the race favors speed (sprints) or stamina (routes), while the surface (dirt, turf, or synthetic) can make or break certain horses.

Each horse’s line includes its post position, which matters tactically — inside draws often benefit speed horses, while wide posts can be challenging in short races. The listed weight shows what the horse must carry, including the jockey and equipment, and can affect performance in close finishes.

The most valuable section is the past performances (PPs), where each line represents a previous race. Here you can see distance, surface, final position, running style, and who the horse faced. Look for trends: is the horse improving, changing distance, or dropping in class? Recent workouts (“breezes”) offer clues about current fitness.

Once you know how to read it, the race starts making sense before the gates even open.