what does p mean in horse racing form

In horse racing, the letter “p” in the form refers to the position or placement of a horse in a particular race. It indicates the order in which the horse crosses the finish line relative to the other horses in the field. For instance, “p1” signifies that the horse placed first (or won the race), “p2” indicates a second-place finish, and so on. This information helps bettors and analysts assess a horse’s performance in different races and compare it to other competitors. It also provides insights into the horse’s consistency and ability to finish in the top positions.

Place

In horse racing, the letter “P” in the form indicates that the horse finished in one of the top three positions, also known as the “place” positions, in the race.

  • 1st Place: Winner
  • 2nd Place: Runner-up
  • 3rd Place: Show

The “place” positions may vary depending on the type of race and the number of horses participating.

PlaceAbbreviationAlso Known As
1stP1Winner
2ndP2Runner-up
3rdP3Show

Price or Odds

In horse racing form, “P” stands for “Price” or “Odds”. It refers to the amount of money that a winning bet on a horse would pay out for every dollar wagered.

The odds can be presented in various formats including:

  • Fractional Odds: Represented as a fraction, e.g., 6/4
  • Decimal Odds: Expressed as a decimal, e.g., 2.50
  • American Odds: Displayed with a “+” (positive) or “-” (negative) sign, e.g., +150 or -200
FormatExplanation
Fractional (6/4)For every $4 wagered, you’ll win $6
Decimal (2.50)For every $1 wagered, you’ll win $2.50
American (+150)For every $100 wagered, you’ll win $150
American (-200)You need to wager $200 to win $100

P in Horse Racing Form: Positions

In horse racing, the letter “P” in race results indicates that a horse finished in a position outside of the top three.

Horses that finish in the top three positions typically receive purse money, while those that finish in “P” positions do not. The exact positions that constitute a “P” will vary depending on the race and the number of horses entered. However, it is typically used to denote finishes outside of the top four or five.

Positions Indicated by P

  • 4th
  • 5th
  • 6th
  • And so on…

Example

In a race with 10 horses, a horse that finishes in 7th place would be indicated as “P7” in the race results.

Table of Positions

PositionAbbreviation
1st1
2nd2
3rd3
4th and belowP

What Does “P” Mean in Horse Racing Form?

In horse racing, the “P” in the form refers to “Program Number.” It is the number assigned to each horse in the race program. The program number is used to identify the horse in various contexts, such as on the tote board, in betting slips, and in race results. It is also used to refer to the horse’s position in the starting gate.

Payouts

The “P” is also used in conjunction with the “P%” column in the race form. The “P%” column shows the percentage of the win pool that will be paid to bettors who have wagered on the horse with the corresponding program number. The “P%” is calculated based on the amount of money that has been wagered on each horse and the odds of each horse winning.

  • A horse with a high “P%” is a popular choice among bettors, which means that there is a higher chance of a higher payout if that horse wins.
  • A horse with a low “P%” is a less popular choice among bettors, which means that there is a lower chance of a higher payout if that horse wins.

The following table shows an example of how the “P” and “P%” columns may appear in a race form:

Program NumberHorseP%
1Horse A30%
2Horse B20%
3Horse C15%

Welp, there you have it, folks! We’ve covered the basics of what “P” means in horse racing form. If you’re new to the world of handicapping, we hope this article has been helpful. And if you’re a seasoned pro, well, we hope you’ve learned a thing or two anyway! Thanks for reading, and be sure to check back later for more handicapping tips and insights.