Speed Handicapping is used to determine which horse has the fastest acceleration from the starting gate (Break). This is important if the horse can gain an early-uncontested lead in the race and even a larger factor if there is a track bias, in the horses favor. Likewise, the acceleration (or least amount of deceleration) from the top of the stretch to the finish (closing), two turn races in particular, is a factor when majority of the field are front-runners. This analysis focuses on the speed aspect of the race using four sets of comparison factors. (1) The past-perfromance line distance is the same as today's distance. (2) Sprints:four furlong to seven furlongs. (3) Middle distance: One mile to 1 1/8 miles.(4) Distance 1 1/4 miles to 1 1/2 miles.
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