Are most races paceless?

[Bill Lyster]

Originally Posted by For The Lead

Thanks Bill, you make good points. As you apply these points in your day to day handicapping, do you find that most races;

1 – have a legitimate pace scenario, or
2 – do not have a legitimate pace scenario

What characteristics must a horse demonstrate in order for you to consider it part of the pace scenario?

most appear to have legitimate pace, but understanding how the earlies react to that pace has been problematical.

I tend to use Brohamer's guidelines of close up at 2C or stretch and within so many lengths depending on the distance of the race (and then compare to see if it is close to the projected pace) . Still have problems with horses dropping when the guidelines are blown (and thereby defaulting to the race at or near todays class for rating purposes)