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[classhandicapper]

GMB@BP has it right.

The "S" and "C" are race setup and race flow indicators for that specific race.

If the race has a "S" or S+ that means the pre race analysis of the field suggested there wasn't a lot of speed in the the race and the race flow itself leaned more towards a front running style.

If the race has a "C" or C+ that means the pre race analysis of the field suggested there was a lot of speed in the the race and the race flow itself leaned more towards a closing running style.

The standards for both pre race and the race flow are higher for the highlighted S+ or C+ (more extreme).

The method is not looking at fractions. It's looking at running styles and how the race actually developed. But since those things are correlated to fractions, you will tend to see S and C races that match the fractions and color coding of the Timeform pace figures fairly often.

They are meant to compliment each other or stand alone.

If the fractions were fast according to Timeform and the race got a C or highlighted C, there's a very good chance that race fell part due to the fast pace and vice versa (S and fast fractions).

What makes this tool useful is that sometimes a race is loaded with speed, the fractions were not particularly fast, but the race still fell apart because the pace was contested or because a lot of speed horses were rated/outrun and not in their desired position. Same thing in the other direction.

Another good use is as a supplement to running style analysis.

If a horse that usually goes to the lead was outrun in a highlighted C race, you can usually surmise that he didn't change his running style or go off form. He just got outrun in a race that was loaded with other speeds (even if the pace wasn't particularly fast).

If a horse that usually closes was on the lead in a highlighted S race, he didn't suddenly becomes a front runner. He just drew into the race with no other speeds and inherited the lead (even if the fractions were about average).