Equibase Rating Races Show Promise As Maryland Trial Continues

Equibase rating races have drawn encouraging participation in Maryland, with sizable fields indicating that owners and trainers are finding value in this additional racing opportunity. The MTHA Purse Committee, which brings together elected MTHA Board members, at-large horsemen, and representatives of MJC senior management and the Racing Office for open and constructive discussion of Maryland’s racing program, recently reviewed the results and reached a consensus to support the continuations of the trial for another month. The additional data will inform a reassessment in January, when the Committee may consider whether changes are warranted.

While the Committee sees promise in the concept, members believe Equibase needs to continue work to further refine the algorithm used to assign ratings so that the numbers more consistently reflect horses’ competitive ability.

Understanding Equibase Ratings

Equibase rating races use a numerical assessment of a horse’s ability to help determine eligibility. The goal is to group horses of comparable ability and provide additional opportunities beyond traditional conditions based on previous wins and claiming prices.

For owners and trainers, these races can offer a useful option for horses that have worked through their allowance conditions or have difficulty finding an appropriate race under the existing program.

An Equibase Rating differs from an Equibase Speed Figure. A speed figure measures a horse’s performance in an individual race using its time and track conditions. The rating is intended to provide a broader assessment of competitive ability for use in writing race conditions.

How the Races Work in Maryland

Laurel Park has offered ratings optional claiming races with two paths to eligibility: a horse may qualify under the stated rating ceiling or enter for the designated claiming price.

Races for horses rated 65 or less, with an alternative claiming range of $20,000 to $16,000, and races for horses rated 75 or less, with an alternative claiming range of $30,000 to $24,000 have been in the condition book since racing returned to Laurel in September.

A horse that meets the rating requirement may compete without being offered for a claim. Horses above the rating ceiling must run for the claiming price.

Early Experience and Committee Review

The early response in Maryland has been encouraging from a participation standpoint. These races are filling more often with the ratings option than they did before and are giving these seasoned older horses more opportunities to run.

However, participation is only part of the evaluation. The Purse Committee also considered whether the ratings accurately reflect relative ability and how changes in those ratings affect future racing opportunities.

Members expressed concern that the algorithm still needs quite a bit of adjustment. The usefulness of the program depends on ratings that provide a reasonably consistent basis for grouping horses and determining eligibility.

Ratings can change following a race, affecting which conditions a horse will qualify for next. Owners and trainers should therefore check their horse’s current rating when planning an entry rather than assume that eligibility for a previous race carries forward. It should be noted that the ratings are currently being reset fairly frequently, sometimes multiple times for a horse from one race to the next. The ratings can be found for any horse by using the Horse Profile tool on Equibase.

More Evaluation Needed

The Committee’s consensus was to allow another month of the trial to generate additional data before considering adjustments. The program will be reassessed in January when a larger body of results will be available to consider possible changes.

Continuing the trial will provide more information about participation, competitive balance and the practical effect of rating changes on horses’ opportunities to race.

Horsemen’s constructive feedback and data remains an important part of that process. Owners and trainers with questions about a rating are encouraged to seek an explanation directly from Equibase and provide specific examples when they believe a horse’s rating does not reflect its demonstrated ability.

For questions about Equibase Ratings, contact Chance Moquett at 859-351-8136, cmoquett@equibase.com  or visit equibase.com/ratings.

Other Condition Book News

In other business, the Committee reviewed entry data from the past year and endorsed TMJC’s proposal to eliminate the $25,000 maiden claiming category for older horses and the $7,500 claiming categories for horses that have never won two or three races. The changes reflect participation levels in these categories and the smaller horse population available during the winter, with the goal of concentrating entries and maintaining competitive field sizes.

These changes reflect participation in those categories and are intended to better align the racing program with demand. The $25,000 maiden claiming category for older horses will be considered for reinstatement if demand warrants.

The Committee also endorsed a proposed Laurel Park 2027 Stakes Schedule for January and February. The schedule remains subject to adoption by the full MTHA Board of Directors before it is finalized.

Horsemen are encouraged to share constructive feedback on this or any other issue affecting Maryland racing by emailing board@mdhorsemen.com. Messages sent to this address are delivered directly to all 15 current members of the MTHA Board of Directors.

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