A horse that receives a switch from an unranked driver to a top-rate pilot should get further handicapping points. Often, though, the top drivers are bet heavily by the public, resulting in odds lower than what the horse's chances might truly warrant. Also, drivers not listed among the leaders may still qualify as a possible bet if the horse passes other handicapping tests, AND the unranked driver has driven the horse successfully in the past. Top trainers, sometimes listed in your program, usually have their horses in peak condition and ready to win. As with drivers, isolate the trainers who have a high win percentage.
Consistency is perhaps the most outstanding characteristic of the standardbred horse.
Good horses are able to perform well, week after week. Most racing programs will show records of these performances. In the upper left-hand portion of each horse's past performances, you'll see the fastest winning mile of the year listed, the number of starts, wins, seconds, thirds, and money won for the present and past years. Harness horses tend to race against other horses of comparable ability, and it's the job of the race secretary to design races that will bring together well-matched and competitive fields. An edge in class is worth one or two handicapping points, as horses dropping in class are meeting softer competition tonight.