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.