What is a Pace Figure?
A pace figure is a number that represents how fast a horse was running at a certain point in the race, often at the early or middle stages. Unlike speed figures, which reflect the overall final time of a race, pace figures isolate a specific part of the race to show how much energy the horse used early on or how fast the race was unfolding at that point.
Handicappers use pace figures to assess how a horse’s running style fits the race setup and to identify horses that might benefit from a different pace scenario next time out.
What Pace Figures Measure
Most commonly, pace figures are assigned for:
- The first quarter or half-mile
- The middle part of the race (often for routes)
- Occasionally for the final fraction, to measure finishing speed
Some figures are based on raw time, while others adjust for factors like track variant, distance, and surface. The key is consistency—so you can compare how one race’s pace stacks up against another and see how a horse handled it.
For example, a horse that ran a fast early pace figure but faded late may have been asked to do too much too soon. Conversely, a horse that ran into a slow pace may not have had a chance to show its full ability.
How Handicappers Use Pace Figures
Pace figures are especially valuable when:
- Comparing early-speed types to see who might get the lead
- Identifying closers who were at a disadvantage due to slow early fractions
- Projecting race shape to anticipate how a race will unfold
- Spotting horses capable of withstanding or controlling a fast pace
They’re also helpful when trying to explain seemingly poor performances. A horse that finished fifth might have run into a pace setup that didn’t suit its style—but the pace figures reveal the race was not run in its favor.
Some handicappers use pace figures on their own; others combine them with final-time speed figures to get a more complete view of performance.
Pace Figures vs. Speed Figures
Pace figures and speed figures serve different but complementary purposes:
- Speed figure: How fast the horse ran in total (final time)
- Pace figure: How fast the horse ran at a specific stage
A horse with strong early pace figures and average final speed may be a threat in shorter races. A horse with slow pace figures and fast finishing figures might want more pace to close into. The relationship between the two can uncover hidden angles that don’t show up in basic past performances.
Final Thoughts
Pace figures give handicappers the ability to look beneath the surface of a race and understand how it unfolded, who set the tone, who chased, and who had no chance based on how things developed. Used with other tools like running style, trip notes, or projected pace setups, they’re essential for serious analysis.
To study how pace figures and race shape influence outcomes across dozens of tracks, visit the EquinEdge Results page and follow along with real-time insights.