Master Win Ratings
Instructional Package

	Meadow's Master Win Ratings are a fast, accurate way to locate the 

contention in a California  thoroughbred race.  They are the simplest, 

easiest-to-use thoroughbred ratings ever developed.

	Please take your time in studying this instructional package.  We have 

tried to cover every situation you will encounter.  By studying our suggestions 

you will be able to make the best use of Master Win Ratings.

	First, let's learn how we deliver the ratings to you:

              1. E-mail.  All ratings are sent via e-mail the night before the 

races, usually by 7:30 p.m. California time.  The e-mail is sent directly to your

e-mail address; no downloading or pin number is required.

              2. Toll-free phone line.  If you do not use the Internet, or are away

from your computer, you can get the ratings via phone by using your pin code, which

is a permanent number for your own personal use.  Dial 888 214-2500 or 310 215-3223

via a touch-tone phone to access the ratings.  They are available after 7 p.m. 

California time the night before the races.  You may call from anywhere--even from

a hotel or a cellular phone--24 hours a day. 

	When you call, have in front of you the list of entries in original post 

position order; these are available from the Daily Racing Form, Today's Racing 

Digest, computer services, some newspapers, racebook entry sheets, etc.  If you use

the track program, listen carefully for the horses' names because we include the

name of every horse originally listed on the overnight sheet, even if he is an

early scratch. 

	When you dial in, you will be asked to punch in your pin number.  After 

punching in your number, you will be asked to select the day of the week for the 

ratings you'd like--1 for Monday, 2 for Tuesday, 3 for Wednesday, 4 for Thursday, 

5 for Friday, 6 for Saturday, or 7 for Sunday.

	After selecting the day of the week, the ratings will begin with the 

southern California track.  After the ratings for southern California are given, 

the ratings for northern California will follow.  If you do not wish the northern

numbers, simply hang up after hearing the southern ratings.  You may record the

ratings if you like.  If you make an error, press the star key (*) to return to

the main menu.   The call should take approximately 3 minutes if you want SoCal

only, and an additional 3 minutes if you'd like NorCal as well.  The ratings will

remain on line for seven days, so that if you miss a day or two you can easily

check the ratings.  

             If your subscription expires or you go on vacation, your number will

be de-activated; when you resume, you will still have the same number.  (If you

sign up for the weekends-only or Saturdays only or Sundays only plan, you will

receive a special numb er to use for that particular meet only; there is no 

"vacation hold" service for these special plans.) 

	Every horse receives one of four designations:

		(a) A number from 1 to 35.  This is the horse's present 

Master Win Rating.  The higher the number, the better the rating.

		(b) X.  This indicates that the horse is under a class-form 

cloud, usually (though not always) because of a dull last race or suspicious class 

drop.  For horses rated X, if the horse has been downgraded to X (explained later 

in this package) we will also give you his original rating. 

		(c) V.  This indicates that the horse was placed on the 

veterinarian's list for unsoundness since its last race.

		(d) U.  This indicates that the horse is unrated.  Unrated 

horses include first-time starters, shippers from out of state, horses returning 

from layoffs of longer than 6 months, and horses trying a different surface for 

the first time (e.g., dirt to turf).  For unrated horses coming off of layoffs of 

six months or more, or coming off three or more consecutive out-of-state 

performances, we will also give you his last local rating.  

	A typical race will sound like this:

		"Santa Anita eighth race...Mirasqua 9, Saturday Woman 6, Jamin 

Jaime McQ 1, Speed Of The Irish 6, Felita Foe is scratched, Sandy Shane 5, Juloro 

2, Unpredicatable Sky 5, Pale Moon Sky 7, Court's Amiga 7, Mina De Oro U was a 1 

previously, Tina Celesta X downgraded from 7, scratch the also eligibles."



	For turf races, we will also include the dirt ratings if they differ.  In 

this way, you can use the dirt ratings if the race is taken off the turf; if the 

horse has never run on turf, you can check the dirt number for handicapping 

purposes. 

	We suggest marking each horse's rating directly on whatever you are going 

to use in your handicapping (such as, for instance, the Daily Racing Form).  By 

doing this, you will immediately find the horses to focus in on as you continue 

handicapping.

	For every race, place all starters into one of three categories:

		(a)   Top choice or choices

		(b)   Contenders 

		(c)   Eliminated

	When deciding how to play a race, look first to your top choice or top 

choices.  But consider your contenders as well, particularly for exotic bets and 

for longshot plays.  Pass those you've eliminated.  Check the example races later 

in this package for strategic advice. In most races, you will have from one to 

three top choices and from zero to three contenders. The higher the total number 

of horses to be considered, the more competitive the race will be.

	Price is an important element in deciding whether to play a particular 

race.  If you have six horses still under consideration, for example, look to beat 

the favorite.  On the other hand, when you have a race with a solid top choice and 

very little contention, you can back such a choice with further conviction.

	All races are divided into two categories:

		1.  Maiden and maiden-claiming races

		2.  All other races

	These two categories are handled completely differently in choosing top 

choices and contenders.  Before reviewing the page entitled "Some Typical 

Races," please study the appropriate explanatory pages.

	We do not recommend play on the following races, nor do we keep statistics 

involving these races:

		1.  Races in which 5 or more horses are unrated or races in 

which half the field is unrated.  This will include some maiden and 

maiden-claiming races with a number of first-time starters, some grass races in 

which several horses are trying the turf for the first time, and occasionally 

other races.  This prevents us from guessing when there are a large number of 

unknown factors in a race.

  		2.  Races in which ALL THREE of the first three betting choices 

are either unrated or are rated X or V.  This prevents us from playing a numbered 

horse when a "stranger danger" is more likely to win.

	We also recommend caution in playing races on off tracks.  Our ratings are 

primarily based on fast-track performances.  There are two main reasons to be 

careful on sloppy and muddy tracks.  First, some horses perform much better, or 

much worse, on off tracks than they do on fast tracks which makes handicapping 

difficult.  Second, severe track biases may manifest themselves; e.g., no 

front-runner can win, or no closer can win, and these biases may not be apparent 

until several races have been run.

	In each race, start your handicapping by narrowing each field to top 

choices and contenders.  The most successful players utilize their own 

handicapping skills to maximize the effectiveness of the numbers.  To improve your 

handicapping ability, we recommend that you read books and subscribe to Meadow's 

Racing Monthly, the handicapping newsletter that we publish.

	Master Win Ratings are based on a number of well-regarded handicapping 

factors.  Among them:

		1.  Speed adjusted for pace, trips, trouble and biases

		2.  Class, including competitiveness at various levels 

		3.  Form and performance cycle pattern

		4.  Odds in recent races

		5.  Overall racing record

	

	Unlike speed ratings, Master Win Ratings take many factors into account.  

That may be the reason that in a test of 15 ratings services conducted by 

SportStat, only Master Win Ratings finished in the top 3 in all four categories 

studied--win percentage, place percentage, show percentage, and return on 

investment.  They are the most accurate ratings you can find for California races.

	Why does one horse earn a higher Master Win Rating than another?  All 

other things being equal (which they never are):

		1.  A horse who won in 1:10 vs. $25,000 claimers will earn a 

higher MWR than one who won in 1:10 vs. $16,000 claimers.

		2.  Comparing wire-to-wire 1:10 winners, the horse who went 

21.3-44.2 will earn a higher MWR than one who went 22.2-45.1.

		3.  A horse who overcame an anti-speed bias will earn a higher MWR 

than one who overcame an anti-closers bias.

		4.  A horse who's had two starts after a layoff will earn a higher 

MWR than one who's made its fourth start in five weeks.

		5.  A horse whose record is 33-6-5-1 will earn a higher MWR than 

one whose record is 33-1-5-6.

		6.  A horse trained by a leading trainer will earn a higher MWR 

than one who is trained by someone who rarely wins.

		7.  A horse who won at 2-1 will earn a higher MWR than one who won 

at 30-1.

		8.  Assuming they hit the wire at the same time in sixth place in 

their first lifetime sprint start, a well-bred horse bred to route will earn a 

higher MWR than a cheaply-bred sprinter.

		9.  A horse which ran 1:11 after having to check and then going 

five-wide on the turn will earn a higher MWR than one who ran 1:11 after a clean 

trip on the rail.

               10.  A horse which started from an unfavorable post or who raced on 

an unfavorable part of the track will earn a higher MWR than a horse with a 

similar final time who started from a better post or who raced on the advantaged 

part of the track.

	As you can see, there are many factors that determine a horse's Master Win 

Rating.  Every rating is adjusted by a professional handicapper who watches 

videotapes of all performances and judges each horse individually--not by a 

computer or by any automatic criteria.

 

	We always recommend using Master Win Ratings as a SUPPLEMENT to 

your own handicapping, rather than merely as a system in itself.  While our 

statistics show that races with a single top choice and no ties produce 

approximately 30% wins, you cannot expect to profit simply by playing the high 

number without handicapping.  A procedure you might consider would include 

entering all Master Win Ratings, and then asking these questions:

		1.  Which horses might possibly outrun their ratings?  

Horses in this group include first-time stretchouts, horses coming off layoffs 

who've worked especially well, horses competing for new barns, recently gelded 

animals, first-time lasix users, equipment changers, and other possible improvers.

		2.  Which horses might have a possible pace or position 

advantage?  This might include front-runners in a field of closers, horses 

drawn outside on a day when the outside lanes are outperforming the rail runners, 

horses who fit the most recent winning profiles as far as running style, etc.

		3.  Which trainers of the contenders are especially hot or 

especially cold in this situation, as well as recently in all races?

		4.  How do jockey switches or selections affect your opinion 

of the entrants?  For example, if Desormeaux rode three horses in this race last 

time, why is he choosing to ride Horse A today?	

		5.  Which horses may, or may not, like this particular track 

(especially if they've been racing regularly at a different track)?

		6.  How does today's distance affect each competitor?  For 

example, some horses are good at 6 furlongs but never win at 7 furlongs and vice 

versa; others like 1 1/16 miles and figure to improve off a recent one-turn race. 

Look for other angles such as horses stretching out after two sprints.

		7.  How do unknown or unrated horses fit in today's field?  A 

first-time starter or a European import might have a profound effect on today's 

race; look at recent works, the horse's overseas form, the trainer's record with 

similar horses, and how today's field stacks up with the typical winning par for 

this class.  Three times a year, all subscribers are mailed updated MWR pars for 

each class in southern California.

		8.  Do other circumstances affect today's race?  Are there 

other angles worth noting for each horse that haven't been addressed by our 

ratings (such as weights, workouts, etc.)?

		9.  How might each horse's paddock and pre-race deportment 

affect its possible performance today?

	       10.  What kind of value are you being offered?  If your 

opinion is the same as the crowd's, do not play.  Seek a discrepancy--the crowd 

has overbet Horse A and/or underbet Horse B.

		1.  Playing sole top choices.   A sole top choice is a horse 

that has a numerical edge of at least 1 point over everyone else in the race 

(e.g., one horse is rated 7 and no one else is rated higher than 6) in a race in 

which no unrated horse is favored.  After doing the two race eliminations above, 

these average about five plays a day and win about 30%.  Prices have ranged up to 

$53.00.  The greater the edge and the fewer the number of contenders, the stronger 

the play.

		2.  Finding vulnerable favorites.  One key to making money 

at racetrack betting is finding overbet horses to play against.  A vulnerable 

favorite is a numbered horse which does not have the highest rating in the race, 

is one of a group of at least 4 horses tied with the same rating, or is rated X or 

V.  In all these cases the favorite does not figure to have an easy time of it, 

and you may find better horses to key on.

		3.  Finding live longshots.  Any horse that is a top choice 

or a contender is considered to have a chance to win.  If such a horse goes off at 

long odds, he may be a useful key horse.  This is particularly true when the 

longshot is either a top choice (or tied for the top choice), or is a contender 

when no more than 5 horses are under consideration overall.

		4.  Finding exacta plays.  From time to time you will find 

a race where two horses seem to hold an edge over the field; e.g., in a race where 

two horses are rated 11 and no one else is over 7, or in a race where the top 

choice is 18, the next choice is 17, and no one else is over 13.  Such races are 

good ones to focus in on because the contention doesn't run deep, and you may be 

able to key these horses.

		5.  Finding contentious races.  Occasionally you'll find a race

where you can throw out only one or two horses.  Nobody seems to have much of an 

edge.  These are often good races to sit out, unless the public overbets one or

two horses and underbets others.

	You will note later in this package that our decision whether to eliminate 

unrated horses or those rated X or V depends on their odds.  Use the latest tote 

odds if possible.  If you must bet early, use the track's morning-line program 

odds only.  DO NOT USE  the morning-line odds from any other source such as a 

newspaper, Daily Racing Form, etc.  The track's morning-line program odds are 

available over the Internet at www.drf.com, as well as from various phone 

listings at no charge.

 	A one-hour audio tape which further explains how and why a horse gets its 

Master Win Rating, and how best to use the ratings, is available from us for $15. 

	If you have any questions at all about how to use Master Win Ratings, 

please call our office at (310) 215-3222.  Best of luck!

CLASS LEVELS AND THE RATING OF X

	A rating of X means a horse is under a class-form cloud for some reason.  

There are two types of horses rated X--those already listed as X (generally 

because of an inexplicably poor last race) and those which we downgrade to a 

rating of X due to a suspicious class drop or workout pattern.

	We convert suspicious horses to X so that horses with questionable form or 

class will not be overrated by our ratings.  These usually, but not always, race 

in claimers.  For example, a horse has been racing reasonably well in $32,000 

claimers and suddenly shows up for $16,000.  Or a horse's last appearance was five 

months ago in a $20,000 claimer and today he's in for $10,000.  Or a horse was 

claimed for $40,000 last out and the new trainer enters him for $25,000 today.  

These warning signs indicate that the horse is either unsound or is far off his 

previous form.  Nobody gives anything away--and the trainer is showing us that he 

doesn't think the horse is worth what the animal might appear to be worth 

according to the past performances. 

	 Most of the time, we downgrade horses to X based on the standard criteria 

listed later in this package, which generally involves checking a horse's last 

race and workout dates.  However, sometimes we need to go back two, three, or 

sometimes even more races to determine whether a horse should be dropped to X 

since we do not penalize horses for experimental or one-time placements.  Some 

examples:

		* The horse's last race was a stakes race.  Since many trainers 

simply take a shot at a stake, we do not penalize a horse for returning to his 

regular level.

		* The horse's last race was a one-time try in a local allowance 

race or for a higher claiming price.  For instance, the horse won a $16,000 

claimer, then tried an allowance race or a $50,000 claimer without success, and is 

now back in for $16,000.  He is NOT penalized for this one-time try.

		* The horse has been racing in out-of-town allowance races. 

There is no penalty for any allowance performance outside of southern 

California no matter where the horse surfaces locally.

		* The horse last raced in a turf race and today is racing on dirt.

Since local tracks do not normally card low-level claiming races on the turf, if a 

trainer wants to enter his horse on turf he must enter him at an artificially high 

price.  When the horse reverts to his normal level, do not penalize him unless (a) 

the horse was claimed for the higher price or (b) the horse finished in the money 

at the higher price.

		* The horse last raced in a starter allowance race and now appears 

for his usual tag.

		* The horse last raced more than six months ago.  He is considered 

unrated.

	Each number on the chart below represents a one-level drop.  

	 1.  Stakes (not considered when looking for possible X drops)

	 2.  $80,000+ claimers				10. $12,500 claimers

	 3.  $62,500 claimers				11. $10,000 claimers  

	 4.  $50,000 claimers				12. $ 8,000 claimers

	 5.  $40,000 claimers				13. $ 6,250 claimers

	 6.  $32,000 claimers/any SoCal allowance race	14. $ 5,000 claimers

	 7.  $25,000 claimers				15. $ 4,000 claimers

	 8.  $20,000 claimers				16. $ 3,200 claimers

	 9.  $16,000 claimers				17. $ 2,500 claimers

	Thus a horse going from a $25,000 claimer to a $12,500 claimer is taking a 

three-level drop, and a horse going from a southern California allowance race into 

a $20,000 claimer is taking a two-level drop.  Note that horses whose last race 

was in a northern California allowance race are NOT penalized no matter where they 

surface.

	The restricted conditioned races (e.g., "for $6,250 claimers that are

non-winners of 2 races lifetime") that are often scheduled in NorCal are the 

equivalent of two levels below the listed claiming price.  For instance, a $6,250 

non-winners of 2 lifetime claimer is roughly the equivalent of an open $4,000 

claimer.  However, we do not penalize any horse who last raced in a restricted 

race, even if he won the race and is dropping in price.

	In 1995, Golden Gate began scheduling claiming races at levels in between 

the numbers listed above.  Use the next HIGHER level when examining a GG claiming 

price.  For instance, a GG open $11,500 claimer is the same as an open $12,500 

claimer and a GG open $8,500 claimer is the same as an open $10,000 claimer.

	If a horse last raced in a starter allowance or starter handicap race, we

go back to his last claiming race to see whether he is dropping.

CHOOSING TOP CHOICES AND CONTENDERS FOR MAIDEN AND MAIDEN-CLAIMING RACES

	1.  Write the appropriate symbol--number, X, V, or U--next to each 

horse's name.  We recommend no play on races in which five or more horses OR 

half the entrants are unrated, or any race in which every starter has a rating of 

1.  A horse rated X or V or 1 is NOT unrated.

	2.  Examine the X horses.  A horse is rated X because he is under a 

class-form cloud. The following are considered suspicious horses in maiden events:

		a.  Makes its first or second start after a claim and is dropping 

below the price at which it was claimed (exception:  if the horse is making its 

second start after a claim and already dropped below its claimed price in its 

first race after the claim).

		b.  Had its last workout more than 20 days ago unless it has raced 

no more than 20 days ago.

		c.  Drops from a southern California straight maiden to a $32,000 

maiden claimer or below after a finish of third or higher.  Note that there is no 

penalty for dropping from a northern California straight maiden.

	3.  Check for first-time lasix users.  Do not eliminate any first-time 

lasix user that was third or better at any call (not including the break call) in 

its last race, regardless of its numerical rating.



	4.  Eliminate horses as follows:

		a.  Except for qualifying first-time lasix horses, eliminate all 

numbered horses not within 4 points of the top-rated horse.  If the top-rated 

horse is rated 13, for instance, leave in those rated 12, 11, 10, or 9.

		b.  Except for qualifying first-time lasix horses, eliminate all 

horses with a rating of 1.

		c.  Except for qualifying first-time lasix horses, eliminate all X 

horses not within the lowest THREE betting odds (if you bet early, use the track's 

morning-line odds).

		d.  Except for qualifying first-time lasix horses, eliminate all V 

horses that have not had at least three workouts since their last race and then 

eliminate any remaining V horses not within the lowest THREE betting odds (if you 

bet early, use the track's morning-line odds).

		e.  Eliminate all unrated horses not within the lowest FOUR 

betting odds (if you bet early, use the track's morning-line odds).

	Every remaining horse will now become either a top choice or a contender. 

A horse can become a top choice in one of three ways:

		1.  It has the highest rating in the race.

		2.  It is tied for the highest rating in the race.

		3.  It is unrated but is the post-time favorite.

	Note that a horse rated X or V may qualify as a contender only, never as a 

top choice.

	If five or more horses are tied as the top choice, eliminate all 

contenders.  If four or more are tied as the top choice, eliminate the post-time 

favorite if it has a number (if it unrated, then leave it in).  All other 

non-eliminated horses are considered contenders.

	To see where first-time starters may fit in vs. experienced maidens at 

different levels, check the par charts that we issue at various times of the year.

CHOOSING TOP CHOICES AND CONTENDERS FOR NON-MAIDEN RACES

	1.  Write the appropriate symbol--number, X, V, or U--next to each 

horse's name.  We recommend no play on races in which five or more horses OR 

half the entrants are unrated, or any race in which every starter has a rating of 

1.  A horse rated X or V or 1 is NOT unrated.

	2.  Examine the X horses.  A horse is rated X because he is under a 

class-form cloud.  Often he is taking a large drop in class or has a questionable 

workout pattern, indications that the horse may be unsound.  The horse may not be 

as good as his past-performance lines might look.  There are two types of X 

horses--horses which are already rated X, and horses we have downgraded to X due 

to one or more of the following reasons (assuming the last race was not simply a 

one-time try as described previously):   

		a.  Makes its first or second start after a claim and is dropping 

below the price at which it was claimed (exception: if the horse is making its 

second start after a claim and already dropped below its claimed price in its 

first race after the claim)

		b.  Had its last workout more than 20 days ago unless it has raced 

no more than 20 days ago

		c.  Drops in class off a win

		d.  Drops two classes off a finish of third or better 

		e.  Drops two classes after a layoff of 31 days or longer

		f.  Drops three or more classes under any circumstances

	3.  Eliminate horses as follows:

		a.  Eliminate all numbered horses not within 2 points of the 

top-rated horse in the race (see exception below).

		b.  Eliminate all X horses not within the lowest THREE betting 

odds (if you bet early, use track's morning-line odds).

		c.  Eliminate all V horses that have not had at least three 

workouts since their last race.  Then eliminate any remaining V horses not within 

the lowest THREE betting odds (if you bet early, use the track's morning-line 

odds).

		d.  Eliminate all unrated horses not within the lowest FOUR 

betting odds (if you bet early, use the track's morning-line odds).  

	

	Important exception:  If no horse is rated within 2 points of the top 

choice, then a horse may become a contender if it is within 3 points of the top 

choice.

	Every remaining horse will now become either a top choice or a contender. 

A horse can become a top choice in one of three ways:

		1.  It has the highest rating in the race.

		2.  It is tied for the highest rating in the race.

		3.  It is unrated but is the post-time favorite.

	

	Note that a horse rated X or V may qualify as a contender only, never as a 

top choice. And a horse may only be downgraded to X, not upgraded (if he's 

eliminated on numbers, we do not downgrade him to X).

	If five or more horses are tied as the top choice, eliminate all 

contenders.  If four or more are tied as the top choice, eliminate the post-time 

favorite if it has a number (if it is unrated, then leave it in).  All other 

non-eliminated horses are considered contenders.

SOME TYPICAL RACES

					Race 1 (Claimer)

		#1--17		Top choice

		#2--16  	Contender (within 2 points of top choice)

		#3--14  	Eliminated

		#4-- V		Eliminated unless in lowest 3 odds and 3 works

		#5-- X 		Eliminated unless in lowest 3 odds

		#6--12  	Eliminated

		#7--15  	Contender (within 2 points of top choice)

		#8--14  	Eliminated

		#9-- U  	Eliminated unless in lowest 4 odds

	#1 is the top choice.  #2 and #7 are contenders.  #4, #5, or #9 may--or 

may not--be contenders, depending on whether they may qualify on the odds.

					Race 2 (Allowance)

		#1--16  	Eliminated

		#2--20  	Top choice (tied)

		#3--20 		Top choice (tied)

		#4--20  	Top choice (tied)

		#5--17  	Eliminated

		#6--19  	Contender (within 2 points of top choice)

		#7-- X  	Eliminated unless in lowest 3 odds

		#8-- U  	Eliminated unless in lowest 4 odds

		#9--18  	Contender (within 2 points of top choice)

	        #10--19  	Contender (within 2 points of top choice)

	This is a wide-open race.  Do not take short odds on anyone.  

					Race 3 (Turf Stake)

		#1-- U  	Turf debut; eliminated unless in lowest 4 odds

		#2--27  	Eliminated

		#3--24  	Eliminated

		#4--30  	Top choice (tied)

		#5--30  	Top choice (tied)

		#6-- U  	Shipper; eliminated unless in lowest 4 odds

		#7--26  	Eliminated

		#8--25  	Eliminated

		#9--27  	Eliminated

	This looks like a two-horse race unless #1 or #6 have good credentials. 

					Race 4 (Maiden)

		#1-- U  	First-time starter; must be in lowest 4 odds

		#2-- U  	First-time starter; must be in lowest 4 odds

		#3-- 7  	Eliminated

		#4--12  	Top choice

		#5-- 5L 	Contender; lasix user was 2nd at 2nd call

		#6-- 9  	Contender (within 4 points of top choice)

		#7-- 7L 	Eliminated; lasix user but unplaced at all calls

		#8-- 3  	Eliminated

		#9-- U  	First-time starter; must be in lowest 4 odds

	#4 is the top choice.  #5 (first-time lasix user was 2nd at the 2nd call 

in its last start) and #6 (within 4 points of the top choice in a maiden race) are 

contenders.  First-time starters 1, 2, and 9 may be contenders if they are within 

the lowest 4 odds.

Ordering Information