Horses must show regular, sharp workouts, with two or more of high speed, and including at least one of five furlongs or longer for sprints, of six furlongs or longer for routes.Jockey:

If raced, has earned a speed rating of eighty-four or better for sprints or seventy-four or better for routes. During the first four months of the season, the basic requirements and handicapping preferences below apply to races for horses four-years-old and up.

1. A nicely bred, lightly raced three-year-old that
finished second last time out
2. Any three-year-old that finished second or third last
out while demonstrating improved form and earning
clockings at least within a length or two of the
acceptable speed ratings.
3. First-time starting three-year-olds entered by reliable
stables, provided the horses are bred to show early
speed. Have recorded impressive workout patterns, and
appear calm and dry in the paddock and post parade.
4. Nicely bred, lightly raced impressive four-year-old
from a leading stable, preferably of a kind that raced
a few times at three, and satisfactorily, and is
returning to action of late accompanied by a series of
regular, fast workouts.

1. Horses four-years-old and older, with the exception
specified above.
2. Horses that have lost more than six maiden races,
unless the latest performance or two have been
significantly improved. Fall within the speed
requirements, and the horses' records reflect other
signs of improved form, that is, improved workouts,
closer finishes, or favorable jockey changes.
3. First-time starters from stables whose win percentage
has fallen below 15 percent, unless the workout pattern
is sparkling and a leading jockey has been named.
4. Horses that finished worst than third last time out.
5. Horses whose workouts impress but whose races do not.
6. Horses that raced green or rank last time, recording
trouble lines that were self-induced.

1. Has high early speed, will be only pace-setter.
2. Has good early speed, was pressed on pace last out, but
figures to race clear today.
3. Last time out recorded speed rating improved by five
points or more.
4. Gets jockey switch from journeyman to leader.
5. Broke slowly, puts blinkers on.

In races restricted to state-breds, prefer:
1. Horses moving from acceptable performances in open
races, notably those that show the second-place finish
last out.
2. First-time starters sired by leading local sires whose
get show high early speed, preferably those from
leading stables and mounted by leading jockeys.

1. Horses that finished second or third last out in
acceptable time at the same or related distances.
2. Horses stretching out from a pair of sprints in which
they raced evenly until the pre-stretch or stretch
calls, and in one finished the final quarter in
twenty-five seconds or less, without tiring.

1. Horses bred for turf and moving from previous races on
dirt, notably if no other horses have raced
impressively on grass.