The race setup refers to the pace of the race. Are there alot of horse that have alot of early speed that will create a fast pace? Or, is there one horse that is sure to get a clear sustained lead. The pace scenario is absolutely critical in determining the" Race Setup" and how you approach handicapping the race. I will show you how I address each scenario.

The Three main pace scenarios are

1. Lone Speed

2. Neutral

3. Pressure Races

Without question, Lone Early speed is one of the most dangerous advantages that a horse can have. An uncontested lead is the groundwork for a horse running a relaxed sustained maximum effort and a big speed figure. The problem with this from a parimutual standpoint is that it is by far the easiest to determine by almost anyone. Occasionally a lone early horse slips away a big price but not often. The other current disadvantage of this running style is the advent of the artificial surfaces that often time work against speed type horse.

Most races are run at a neutral pace where the pace of the race is not to any ones running style advantage. This race runs truer to form.

The Pressure race is one in which there is an abundance of early speed type horses that set an relentless pressured pace. The race "falls apart" in the very late stages setting the race up for a deep closing horse often at very big odds. This is my personal favorite angle and one that plays out very nicely on the synthetic tracks.