Santa Anita adds 3 races with ratings-based conditions

Races open to horses based on a handicapping system similar to those used internationally will be introduced as a condition in as many as three races next Friday at Santa Anita.

“Ratings numbers ... will determine eligibility for ratings handicap races,” the Santa Anita racing office said Wednesday in a text message to horsemen. ... These details will also be published (Thursday) on Equibase. Also going live (Thursday), a horse’s rating will be visible in their individual Equibase profile page as will their rating history. In the coming weeks, trainer and owner Equibase profile pages will have a new tab that has all of their current horses listed by rating.”

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The first three races using the new conditions are listed as extras 12, 13 and 14 in overnights for next Friday. A $65,000 race going about 6 1/2 furlongs on the hillside turf course is for fillies and mare with ratings of 95-80. A $35,000 race at 6 1/2 furlongs on the main track is for 3-year-olds and up rated 79-70. A $25,000 race at six furlongs on the dirt is for 3-year-olds and up rated 59-50. Lower-rated horses within each race get certain weight allowances.

“This standardized rating is designed to assess and categorize the performance of racehorses across North America with the main objective to create competitive race conditions leading to larger field sizes,” said Equibase, which has developed the handicapping system.

According to Daily Racing Form, each starter is being offered a $500 incentive as a starter’s bonus.