Every class label, plain English.

Restricted to horses that have never won. "Special weight" means weight is set by conditions, not class — typically 120-122 lb for males, 117-119 lb for fillies (varies by track).

What it tells you: Open class for unraced or lightly-raced horses. Often features expensive yearlings making first or second starts. Trainer + workout patterns matter more than form here.

Maidens running for a claiming tag (e.g. "Maiden $30K") — every horse can be purchased for $30,000 by another licensed owner before the race. The lower the tag, the lower the quality.

What it tells you: Trainer is signaling these horses are unlikely to win an MSW; they're trying to break the maiden against weaker company. Drops from MSW into a high-tag MCL ($75K+) can be sharp.

Above claiming, below stakes. Conditions usually written as "n/w of two races" (never won two races other than maiden / claiming). Allowance horses have shown they belong above the claiming ranks.

What it tells you: Higher purse, better-bred fields, no claim risk. The next step up from MSW. "ALW NW1X" = first allowance condition; "ALW NW3X" = third condition (harder).

Hybrid: horses can be entered for the claiming tag OR for the allowance condition. Trainers protect higher-value horses by entering them "non-claiming" (still subject to the allowance terms but not for sale).

What it tells you: Mixed-quality field. Look at the past performance lines to see who entered "for the tag" vs not.

Restricted to horses that started for a specific claiming tag or lower at some point. "Starter $5,000" means every horse in the race ran for $5K or less at some point. Designed to protect lower-class horses from open claiming.

What it tells you: Form-cycle level. Horses cycling between claiming + starter allowance are typically nailing their conditions.

Every horse is entered for a specific price ("claiming tag"). Any licensed owner with a claim slip can buy a horse before the race. Tags range from $2,500 (lowest) to $80K+ (highest, often called "high-end optional claimers").

What it tells you: Class is determined by the tag. A horse running for $40,000 is roughly twice as good as one running for $20,000. Recent class drops (running for less than last time) can be a sharp angle — but also a red flag if the horse is unsound.

Horses pay a nomination/entry fee. Highest-quality fields. Below the graded ranks but above allowance. "Stakes-placed" horses (finished 2nd or 3rd in a stakes) get black-type in their pedigree, valuable at sale.

The lowest tier of graded stakes — but still elite. Awarded by the racing authority (graded stakes committee in the US, BHA in UK). Gradings are reviewed annually based on field quality.

NA convention: "G3" or "Gr.3". UK/EU: "Group 3" (turf only — UK uses Group, NA uses Grade for both surfaces).

Second-tier graded stakes. Top international fields. Examples: Whitney Stakes (G1), Forego Stakes (G1), Test Stakes (G1) all run during the same Saratoga meet next to G2 events like the Bowling Green or Saranac.

Highest possible class. The Kentucky Derby, Breeders' Cup races, Belmont Stakes, Royal Ascot Group 1s, the Dubai World Cup. Roughly the top 5% of stakes purses globally. G1 winners command 7-8 figure stud / breeding fees.

What it tells you: Field is the best of the best. Class isn't a question — racing fitness, distance fit, and pace shape are.