Reading a race card

A race card is each horse's CV. Read it in this order:

1. Recent form: consistent top finishes in the last 3–5 races?
2. Rating and weight carried: is the weight light or heavy for its ability?
3. Distance record: has it run well at today's distance?
4. Jockey: strong win rate? Any jockey change?
5. Body weight: once published, any big change?

Other columns: saddle number (you bet by number), name and country of birth, sex (colt, filly/mare, gelding), age, trainer.