Beyer figures

[Mood Swings]

I was wondering if anyone would care to explain how beyer figures are calculated? I have absolutely no idea

Thanks!

[Tesio]

I can't help you out with how they are figured, Mood Swings. I do know I am often puzzled by the numbers given to some horses.

I find it interesting that there is 'some' human intervention when they come up 'out of whack'. This is why I simply ignore them and use the Ragozin Sheets. I find them much more effective.

[Patuxet]

This thread probably belongs in the "Handicapping" section. Nevertheless ...

The modus operandi by which Beyers numbers are derived has always struck me as somewhat arcane and arbitrary and therefore renders the results somewhat suspect.

By contrast Steve Roman's methodology for determining his Performance Figures (PFs) seems more straight forward and, because they also represent performance integrated over the entire race, therefore perhaps more useful. http://chef-de-race.com/pfs.htm

[bcassidy]

speed figures are calculated by several companies all with various formulas.
In general they all attempt to gauge an animal's level of effort for an individual race by reducing it to a single number. The goal of this evaluation is to create a scale by which horses in a given race can be compared to one another.
While each companies approach is different, Beyer's approach focuses on the relative times (par value) for each class of race at an individual track and then generally raises or lowers that number to accomodate the variances in different tracks, simply put, a 50k claimer winning at 6F at gulfstream may complete that race in 109 flat, and earn a beyer speed figure of 92, that same class of horse winning an equivalent race at FG may run a 1.10.1 but still earn a 92 beyer speed figure. There can be significant variances in the formulas for each company's system. If you want to use this type of system I strongly recommend you research each companies approach and pick the one best for you. You can google each company and get to their websites for more detailed information. Whichever system you ultimately decide upon you still have to handicap the race. All speed figures are just tools which can speed up the handicapping process.

[Mood Swings]

speed figures are calculated by several companies all with various formulas.
In general they all attempt to gauge an animal's level of effort for an individual race by reducing it to a single number. The goal of this evaluation is to create a scale by which horses in a given race can be compared to one another.
While each companies approach is different, Beyer's approach focuses on the relative times (par value) for each class of race at an individual track and then generally raises or lowers that number to accomodate the variances in different tracks, simply put, a 50k claimer winning at 6F at gulfstream may complete that race in 109 flat, and earn a beyer speed figure of 92, that same class of horse winning an equivalent race at FG may run a 1.10.1 but still earn a 92 beyer speed figure. There can be significant variances in the formulas for each company's system. If you want to use this type of system I strongly recommend you research each companies approach and pick the one best for you. You can google each company and get to their websites for more detailed information. Whichever system you ultimately decide upon you still have to handicap the race. All speed figures are just tools which can speed up the handicapping process.

Thanks!

I have no intention of using Beyer figures. I hear people make reference to them and I didn't know how the "powers that be" came up with the numbers. At least now I have a better idea Sounds a little unreliable though

[bcassidy]

Mood Swings----sorry it took me so long to respond to this thread, I lost track of it.

Actually, the speed figures can be very reliable and when charted on a graph can give you a great picture of a horses form cycle. In my opinion, the form cycle is the best benefit to using the sheets, these animals are not machines and it is easy to see where an animal is in his/her form cycle when charting the racing efforts. These products are great tools and all can work for you when you take the time to learn them. Many of the top trainers use these products as aids in selecting spots to place their animals and to know when a horse needs more time after a big effort.