Beginner’s guide: How to read horse racing form lines
Keeneland (Photo courtesy of Keeneland)
February 25th, 2025
In Thoroughbred horse racing, analyzing “the form”—the past performances of each horse in a race—is simpler than it appears.
Typically, one line of data is assigned for each race a horse has run. These are called form lines. The most recent race is listed at the top.
How to read horse racing form lines
Below is an example of a form line found in Brisnet Ultimate Past Performances for a horse named Hypnus. Click the image to view a larger version.
Let's break down how to read the form line:
DATE: “18Jan25”
Hypnus raced on Jan. 18, 2025.
Hypnus competed in the seventh race at Fair Grounds racetrack.
The race distance was 1 1/16 miles. The track condition was sloppy and sealed. The pace fractions were :23 1/5 for two furlongs, :47 3/5 for four furlongs, and 1:13 1/5 for six furlongs. The final time was 1:46 1/5.
RR: “112”
The Brisnet Race Rating, which measures the quality of competition, was 112.
RACETYPE: “Mdn 60k”
Hypnus competed in a maiden special weight with a purse of $60,000.
CR: “116”
The Brisnet Class Rating gauges how well Hypnus performed against the caliber of competition he faced. He earned a 116.
E1: “83”
Hypnus earned an 83 Brisnet E1 Pace rating.
E2: “85”
Hypnus earned an 85 Brisnet E2 Pace rating.
LP: “97”
Hypnus ran a 97 Brisnet Late Pace rating.
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1c: “+7”
The pace for the first call of the race was +7 faster than average.
2c: “+2”
The pace for the second call of the race was +2 faster than average.
SPD: “92”
Hypnus earned a 92 Brisnet Speed rating.
PP: “5”
Hypnus started from post position 5.
After two furlongs, Hypnus was racing in sixth place by seven lengths.
After four furlongs, Hypnus was racing sixth by six lengths.
After six furlongs, Hypnus was racing sixth by 4 3/4 lengths.
In midstretch, Hypnus was racing third by 1 1/2 lengths.
At the finish, Hypnus was first by 2 1/2 lengths.
JOCKEY: “HernandezBJJ120 L”
Hypnus carried 120 pounds and was ridden by Brian Hernandez. An unlabeled equipment/medication column indicates Hypnus raced with Lasix (L).
ODDS: “16.10”
Hypnus started at 16-1 odds.
Hypnus finished first by 2 1/2 lengths over Cromwell, who was 1 1/2 lengths ahead of Doroteo, who finished a neck ahead of the fourth-place horse.
Comment: “2p;5p1/4;rally;cleared”
Hypnus raced in the two-path early on. He shifted to the five-path with a quarter-mile remaining, rallied, and pulled clear. A final unmarked column indicates there were nine horses in the race.
For more details, check out our in-depth guide to reading Brisnet racing programs.
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