Recency Rules Have Changed
Except when they haven’t. “Back in the day, the two bedrock rules for any respectable system were usually a) Eliminate any horse who has not run in the past 30 days and b) Award extra credit to any horse coming off a sharp race in the past 30 days,” writes Dave Litfin. “The new order of things is closer to the following: Rule No. 1: Accept as contenders any horses who have not run in the past 30 days. Rule No. 2: Eliminate any horse coming off a sharp race in the past 30 days.” But then along comes a horse like Midas Eyes, who won the Forego Handicap 10 days after an allowance-level win. Here’s the only rule in handicapping: Any rule you come up with will be proven wrong. (Daily Racing Form)
