This is all from the Graph Code Key:
1. The op's op+ or op- you all don't add this into the figs right?? and if so may I ask why, if you know by how many L's a horse was off by??
2. The H? =Horse may not have been extended....How should we look at this one, in handicapping??
3. Also could you tell us about the H_ and S_ pace codes??
4. The tu = taken up and checked how much is this effect a number??
5. The X = ran on a dead rail, when seeing one of these and it's a off or x race should we toss that race, and if they pair up or when forward that would be that much greater right??
Thanks for your time.....keep up the good work.

Kev
1. op- means less than 2 lengths; op means 2 but less than 4 lengths; op+ means 4 but less than 6 lengths; op++ means 6 but less than 8 lengths; and op+++ means 8 or more lengths.

As HP notes these are estimates based upon the trackman's observations. And as defined they're not tight enough to be used as a variable computing the horse's figure. And indeed as HP states we're not quite sure what affect it had on its performance. Also this behavior can be habitual and ascribing effort can turn into a trap. Thus we note it but let you determine its significance.

2. h? means the horse didn't appear to be fully extended in the trackman's eyes. Again its significance is debatable. As HP notes many horses bounce off such efforts and quiet rides don't necessarily stress-free rides.

In terms of handicapping, simply look at the figure in the context of the horse's sheet. Is it a top? Repeat?, How big is the top? etc. The figure inself in the context of the line provides the best indication of just how taxing or not the effort was.

3. s_pace means unusally slow pace which affected the final time of a race. h_pace means unusally fast pace which may or may not have affected a horse's performance in the race. Both are denoted by the figure maker. The former is easy to catch since the final time is affected. The latter is not as easy to catch. Again we let you determine their significance.

4. tu means steadied, checked or maybe blocked and it is NOT in the figure. This note results from the trackman's observation.

Part of our trackman's job is to note anything during the course of a race which may have affected performance. Checked, steadied, and/or blocked occurred but the degree is open to question, which again is why we note it but let you determine its significance.

5. X means a horse ran on a dead rail. The figure accompanying this symbol is almost always an off or x effort. Rarely is it a top or repeat.

If the figure is a top or repeat examine the figure in the context of the line to determine significance. Off or x efforts off dead rails more than occasionally can produce good betting opportunities. Again current condition is important but I'd be very inclined to give a dead rail horse a mulligan if indeed it fits in today's race, especially at a juicy parimutuel.