Explaining DRF, BRIS and TimeformUS Past Performances
Explaining DRF, BRIS and TimeformUS Past Performances: Daily Racing Form began publishing past performances in 1905 for thoroughbred horse races and leads the field in sales. Other options exist though, including BRIS and TimeformUS.
All three companies rely on Equibase data to create their past performances.
Pick the one that fits best!
DRF
On a basic level, expect to read information relating to the horse’s previous starts (such as their position throughout the race, times, surface, etc.). Pedigree, connections, equipment changes and workouts come standard as well. Plus, the included post positions, program numbers and morning line odds make buying the track program less necessary!
DRF’s own unique Beyer Speed Figures, a number used to adjust the final time and rate how fast the horse actually ran based on track pars for the day, tends to attract the most attention.
For example, former Kentucky Derby champion Orb won a nine furlong optional claiming race on Jan. 26, 2013 in 1:51, and Beyer figure makers gave the colt an 83.
A few months later, Orb won the nine furlong Florida Derby in 1:50 4/5 and earned a 97 Beyer Speed Figure.
Looking at raw times alone, the difference ends up being just 1/5 of a second. Using Beyer Speed Figures, one might conclude Orb matured a great deal between those months, as the difference between the two numbers is 14 points or seven lengths. One month later, Orb won the Kentucky Derby.
The Formulator version offers additional features such as pace figures, mud ratings, charts for past races, past performances for each horse in those charts, race replays, expanded pedigree information, customizable features and more statistics.
Purchasing a classic edition single card online currently costs $2.95. Formulator costs a little more.
Prices for the paper version vary depending on location.
Beginner’s Note: Find and buy DRF at every thoroughbred racetrack, or check out their various online versions at the official website.
BRIS
Similar basic information appears on their ultimate past performances, minus Beyer Speed Figures.
BRIS uses their own computer based speed ratings and offers pace ratings under the E1, E2 and LP categories. Pace ratings or figures just equal speed ratings at a certain point in the race.
In Orb’s optional claiming win pointed out earlier, he earned pace ratings of 65, 69 and 105. In the Florida Derby, Orb ran pace ratings of 76, 87 and 103.
Although his late kick stayed powerful in each start, the numbers also show Orb’s improved early speed in the Florida Derby. When a race favors closers such as Orb, most bettors look for the horse with the highest late pace ratings, and certainly horses capable of running over 100 would take consideration.
When the race favors early speed, horses with high early pace figures gain more attention.
Also notice the numbers under the 1c and 2c columns, which indicate if the pace went above or below par.
Another BRIS difference comes from the pedigree data shown near the upper right, which display the sire and damsire’s average winning distance, and winning mud percentages. Also, additional auction information tells handicappers how the horse ranked compared to other horses with the same sire at the sale.
In the case of recent Sam F. Davis winner Ocean Knight, who broke his maiden easily, he sold as the second most expensive Curlin colt at the 2014 OBS March sale.
On top is a “Prime Power” number that translates the information for each horse into one overall number (simplified explanation), and ranks the horse compared to the Prime Power numbers for others.
Race and class ratings under the RR and CR columns round out the major differences. Race ratings evaluate the strength of the field, while class ratings rate the overall performance.
Prepare to pay $3 a card, but different options exist.
If insistent on physical past performances with BRIS, turn on the printer!
Beginner’s Note: Click on this link for free select BRIS past performances, or visit the official website for paid versions.
TimeformUS
Like BRIS, TimeformUS offers nearly the same basic information.
One difference comes from the jockey and trainer ratings, which assign them a score based out of 100. The score relies on the same data DRF and BRIS use for statistics. They only translate those statistics into a number more easily understood.
From an aesthetic standpoint, TimeformUS looks very different. For one, they use colors to highlight certain areas such as track biases, surfaces and extreme pace scenarios. On the left side of each running line is a class rating inside a box. Sometimes the box is colored red to indicate a speed bias, and blue to signal a specific race favored closers.
Farther right, the speed figure column falls next to the finish position, and the color surrounding the speed figure indicates the surface. TimeformUS upgrades horses that ran close to a fast pace, and closers benefiting lose a few points. When the pace runs slow, the opposite happens.
Sometimes the winner receives a lower speed figure, such as in last year’s La Brea S. at Santa Anita. The speedy Taris earned a 110 for accomplishing the “dirty work” setting the pace, and winner Sam’s Sister received a 102. A 102 roughly equates to a low to mid 90s number in Beyer Speed Figures.
In addition, pace figures and the colorful Pace Projector chart help predict the pending race shape.
For pedigree enthusiasts and maiden handicappers, every sibling and their top speed figures are listed after clicking on the breeding information and siblings tab. The dam’s top speed figures show under the dam tab. Plus, handicappers can check the lifetime earnings of the sire, dam and siblings to see if their careers were successful.
Their single card price runs at $3 too and a print option exists.
Beginner’s Note: TimeformUS greatly benefits those that prefer using technology to read past performances. Visit their blog and official website for free examples!
Written by Reinier Macatangay
