What is a graded ranking of 
Projected Power Numbers ?
This is really two basic ideas rolled into one question.
1) What is a Projected Power Number?
It is the number I think a horse will run today. 
Naturally, when reviewing the past performance we see a horse having a range of ability, an example could be from 65 to 68.5.   I select an optimistic number, one that the horse can hit 1/3 of the time and fall below 1/2 or the time, based upon my experience and statistics.  

(Note: We have a little left over about 15% for horses running way better or way worse).  

I have learned that horses tend to run relatively in line with their most recent races.  So another way to understand the PROJECTED POWER NUMBER could be to call it CURRENT EXPECTED FORM.  However, I am also rating layoff horses, shippers from Europe and other locals, young horses that have few races and even first time starters, so I use PPN (PROJECTED POWER NUMBER) over CEF (CURRENT EXPECTED FORM). 

2) What is a Graded Ranking?
It is the ordering of the horses after they have been assigned the PPN.
So we see a natural comparative analysis of the CURRENT EXPECTED FORM of the horses who have been racing regular intervals, horses coming off of layoffs, shippers and others.  This natural ordering then can be matched against the morning line, the actual tote board and important additional handicapping that you do as well.  When you see horses that you feel can jump out, you can put your * next to them just as I do (See TOP-FORM /UPSIDE POTENTIAL). 
The ability to place the winner in the TOP-3 ranked horse generally runs from about 60%  to 70% depending on the meet and the time of the meet.  Typically in the beginning of a meet it trends toward 60 % and towards the later parts of the meet it tends to move upward toward 70%.  Note: this is a "so-far" stat and based upon our actual success rate since  we began,  you can track this everyday at the "SCOREBOARD" to see if it is maintained or even  improved. 

One last note, the material I handicap from is primarily my own proprietary PACE & FINAL numbers,  published as Jerry J's Performance Pages.  They are VELOCITY based, I have taken the time to make these numbers because I felt they would provide a significant edge.  They certainly do, as proved by the positive flat bet results of the  TOP-FORM horses you will come to know and love. I have now tracked over 110,000 horse dating back to 1992, which amount to over 1,000,000 races, so of course the computer is the invaluable tool which makes it possible. More importantly, it is my skill as a programmer that allowed me to test and employ very sophisticated computer techniques which make these numbers "state of the art".  
Of course in handicapping, I also use standard past performance material and advanced trainer stats provided by other vendors.