What is the meaning of the superscript numbers in the Race Shape line?
The superscript numbers signify whether pace figures in the Race Shape are faster or slower than “par” – the average pace figures at that track and distance corresponding to the final time of the race. For example, a Race Shape pace figure of 70 with a superscript number of +3 means the race was running 3 points faster than par at that point of call. Q: What is the “Pace Line”? The Pace Line is the pace figure line recorded by the individual horse. Q: What is the “Race Shape Progression”? The new Race Shape Progression is a retooled and improved version of what we formerly called Race Shape Notes. The terminology remains the same (very fast early, slow late, etc), but the way the Race Shape Progression is derived should make it much more useful for pacefig handicappers. Example: the Race Shape in a one-mile race is 60-66-76 for a final figure of 87. Compared to par, those pacefigs are slow: -16, -10 and -9. In the old Race Shape Notes, this race would erroneously be described as “very
