How I use Brisnet Ultimate PPs: Five tips by Keeler Johnson

Brisnet Ultimate Past Performances are packed to overflowing with valuable information for handicapping horse races.

I find Brisnet Ultimate Past Performances to be invaluable in my daily handicapping. No matter what type of race I’m analyzing, there’s useful data to help me identify key contenders and live longshots.

Here are five general steps I follow when handicapping horse races with Brisnet Ultimate Past Performances:

1. Examine Brisnet Prime Power rankings for the whole card

I’ll start by skimming through all the races on the card I’m handicapping. I’ll glance at race conditions and check out the Brisnet Prime Power ratings, which combine a multitude of handicapping factors to rank every horse in the field.

If I spot a horse that tops the Prime Power rankings in a given race by around 10 points or more, I’ll take a closer look—this horse might be a worthy single candidate for multi-race wagers like the Pick 5 or Pick 6.

2. Analyze Brisnet Speed ratings and compare to the pars

When I dive into a specific race, I review the recent and career-best Brisnet Speed ratings earned by each horse in the field. I’m looking to see whether there’s a standout favorite or if the top contenders look evenly matched.

At the same time, I compare the Brisnet Speed ratings earned by each horse against the par winning Brisnet Speed rating for the type of race I’m handicapping, which can be found in the upper-right corner on each page of the Brisnet Ultimate Past Performances. If none of the entrants have recently come close to matching or exceeding the par winning number, I’ll consider the possibility I’m handicapping a weak field in which a longshot won’t need much improvement to spring an upset.

3. Review racing records, running styles, and track biases

Next, I review each horse's racing records in closer detail. I consider how they’ve performed in races under similar conditions (in terms of surface and distance) and whether they’re ascending or descending in class.

Also, I review the running styles of every horse to get a feel for how the pace will unfold. I look for potential lone frontrunners or late runners in races packed with speed. Brisnet E1, E2, and Late Pace ratings can help with this task.

It’s important to check the Track Bias Stats to determine which running styles and post positions are performing best over the surface and distance of the race you’re handicapping. Impact Values above 1.00 indicate positive performance.

4. Consider jockey and trainer statistics

Brisnet Ultimate Past Performances contains numerous jockey and trainer statistics that I find useful. The stats are relevant to the horse you’re handicapping; for example, if you’re analyzing a first-time starter, you can quickly determine if the horse is conditioned by a trainer who does well with debuting runners. Win percentages above 20% are strong.

One stat I often review is how specific jockey/trainer combos have performed over the last 60 days. If a trainer has entered multiple horses in a race, you can sometimes gauge which is the more likely winner by seeing which horse has the barn’s go-to jockey named to ride, as indicated by a lofty jockey/trainer win percentage.

5. Dive into sire and dam statistics

If a given horse is unraced or lightly raced, or if they’re switching distances and/or surfaces, the sire and dam stats in Brisnet Ultimate Past Performances offer a wealth of information I’m eager to review.

If a stallion sires 15% or more winners from first-time starters, that’s a positive I like to see. And when handicapping two-year-old races, I’ll check to see what percentage of the dam’s previous two-year-old starters (if any) have visited the winner’s circle.

Brisnet Ultimate Past Performances includes many other data points, such as workouts, race ratings, class ratings, and more. Check out How to Read a Brisnet Racing Program on TwinSpires.com for a complete breakdown.