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How to read racing programs.
Below are examples of each type of racing program. By clicking on an example you can view an enlarged version that highlights and labels each section of the program. Explanations of each label follows below each picture. Greyhound Program 
Thoroughbred Program 
Medication and Equipment:
B = The horse is taking Bute (A.K.A. Butazolidin, Phenylbutazon). This is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug.
L = The horse is taking Lasix (A.K.A. Furosemide). This is a loop diuretic drug.
b = Indicates the horse is wearing blinkers.
f = Indicates front bandages.
r = Indicates bar shoe.
Track Conditions:
Dirt Tracks
fst = Fast
wf = Wet-Fast
gd = Good
sly = Sloppy
my = Muddy
sl = Slow
hy = Heavy
fr = Frozen
Turf & Steeplechase
hd = Hard
fm = Firm
gd = Good
yl = Yielding
sf = Soft
hy = Heavy
Foreign Races Only
gf = Good-Firm
gs = Good-Soft
Types of Races
Races restrictions will be listed in the following format; 'Alw 10000n1y' or 'Clm 10/9000n2x' etc. This breaks down as follows.
The first letters indicate the type of race:
Alw = Allowance Race, to be entered into this race the horse must meet the requirements set forth.
Clm = Claimed Race, to be entered into this race the horse must be claimed for the listed amount.
Md Sp Wt = Maiden Special Weight Race
Moc = Maiden Optional Claiming Race
Md = Maiden Claiming Race
OC = Optional Claiming
Hcp = Starter Handicap
The number following those letters is the value of the race or amount of the claim:
Example: Alw 15000; This is a 15000 dollar race.
Example: Clm 10/9000; This is a 10000 dollar race, and the horse must be claimed for 9000 dollars.
The numbers and letters following are additional restrictions.
n1x = non-winners of one race
n1y = non-winners in a given time period
n2l = non-winners of two races in a lifetime
n$y = non-winners for an amount of money in a given time period
n1m = non-winners of one race longer than a mile
n$my = non-winners for an amount of money or races greater than a mile in a given time period
n1s = non-winners of one stakes in a lifetime
n1t = non-winners of one turf race
nmt = non-winners of one turf race greater than a mile
nc = no conditions
c = multiple conditions
s = starter allowance
Beyer Speed Figures
A Beyer Speed Figure is a number for grading the performance of horses. After each race a horse will be assigned this number based on it's time in the race and the speed of the track the race was run on. The purpose of this number is to simplify the process of comparing horses that have run on different length and type of tracks. 2 1/2 points are equal to one length in sprints and 2 points are equal to one length in routes.
115 points or more are the very best horses.
100 points or more are good horses or a low stakes horse.
90 points or more is typical for a $25,000 claiming horse.
80 points or more is typical for a $10,000 claiming horse.
60 points more or less is typical for a low level, $2,500 claiming horse.
Tomlinson Ratings
The Tomlinson Rating of a horse is based on it's observed ability to handle wet tracks and the turf, it's ability to handle today's race distance, and it's breeding. The rating for the horse differs for each kind of track and will help you better determine how a horse might do in a particular kind of race.
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