Has raced within thirty days and since shows at least two sharp workouts.

Has won or finished within two lengths at the exact distance.
(Basic requirements and preferences below refer also to races for nonwinners of a specified winner's share two times other than maiden or claiming.)

1. A nicely bred, lightly raced foreign-raced horse,
preferably a four-year-old, whose record shows either
(a) A graded stakes win,
(b) A listed stakes win,
(c) Few races and victories but relatively high
earnings, or
(d) Multiple impressive wins under allowance or
handicap conditions, and close finishes in graded
stakes races.
2. A late-developing or dramatically improving four-year-
old that has never been entered for a claim and either
won an allowance race last out or has raced well under
conditions similar to today's in its latest races.

3. Consistent high-priced claiming race winners aged four
or five that previously have won an allowance race.

1. Horses that have lost seven or more nonwinners twice
allowance races.
2. Unimpressive winners under nonwinners once allowances.
3. Nonwinners of high-priced claiming races.
4. Horses whose claiming races look significantly better
than their allowance races.
5. Foreign-raced horses in obviously dull or questionable
form.
6. Foreign-raced horses that have lost in the states when
well supported in the betting.
7. Foreign-raced horses moving from grass to dirt for
first time.
8. Horses aged six or older.

1. Even effort or better in a stakes race.
2. Leading stable, highest speed rating at the exact
distance.
3. Switch from journeyman jockey to leader.
4. Few races, relatively high earnings.
5. Few races, previous impressive win, obviously improving
form.

1. Foreign-raced horses well-seasoned on that footing at
the exact distance, notably in races at one and
one-eighth miles or longer.
2. Previous winners on grass, notably if that win looks
best of the entire record.
3. Lightly raced, previous allowance winner, bred for turf.