In this week’s episode of Sunday Morning Coffee on Past the Wire TV, Big Race Jim explains a perfect real-world example of how Pace Points can give handicappers a clearer, sharper understanding of race shape — and how it would have pointed you toward the right horses in Race 8 on Clark Day at Churchill Downs.
After recapping the Clark Stakes and Magnitude’s big win, Jim dives into the deeper value of Pace Points: identifying the true early speed, spotting trip advantages, and predicting late-race movers even in fields with no obvious front-runner on paper. Using DRF PPs side-by-side with Pace Points’ Early and Late Fraction Rankings, Jim shows how the tool revealed the 3 and 4 as the most likely pace-setters — long before the gate opened. The replay proved it perfectly.
He also highlights how wide trips, outside draws, and compromised energy early can neutralize high-ranked late runners — another reason Pace Points is so effective when used with your normal PPs.
After the explanation, Jim previews the upcoming Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks radar season and reminds viewers that Past the Wire’s team has a history of spotting Derby horses early — including Mage in February of his winning year.
If you’re serious about improving your handicapping, understanding race shape, and finding hidden opportunities the PPs alone can’t show you, this episode is your roadmap.
Check out Pace Points at PastTheWire.com — and subscribe so you never miss an edge.
