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: To be ridden by a national or local leader, or by the top apprentice, or by a regular stable rider.

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.