TurfPedia - The Horse Racing Encyclopedia

BASIC INTERPRETATIONS: SPEED FIGURES
Speed figures denote how fast horses have actually run in the past. They describe a horse's speed capability, and only its speed. If Horse A has recorded speed figures consistently superior to its competition, it can be considered the fastest in the race. Horse "A" figures to win to the extent that in this situation speed should be decisive. Where speed should count less, so should speed figures.

Speed figures do not denote a horse's class, its pace preferences. its form cycle, or its ability to run well at longer and shorter distances, although patterns of speed figures can be indicative on these matters.

Speed figures are imprecise. They contain errors, sometimes small, sometimes gross. The figures do not tell handicappers exactly how fast horses have run. Horses having the same speed figures not only fail to finish in dead heats, they sometimes finish several lengths apart.

If horses showing comparable speed figures engage in a driving stretch duel, the verdict does not necessarily go to the fastest horse, but to the horse able to summon the greatest degrees of speed, endurance, and determination simultaneously.