Workout times and frequency are used by some handicappers while others ignore them.
Some horse players believe that works are a very unreliable of a horse's form or ability because trainers may choose to have a horse run slowly in a workout and therefore it doesn't indicate whether the horse can run fast enough to win a race.
Some people claim that the mere fact that a horse worked at all is a good sign because it means that runner isn't lame.
While there may be some proof in that, a slow work on a deep track while heavily bandaged may mean the trainer is trying to determine if the horse is still suffering from any soreness and probably isn't a good sign at all.
If a horse lacks confidence it will often run slowly.
Perhaps one of the most important considerations in looking at workouts is the trainer and how that person uses works to condition runners.
Each trainer has his or her beliefs when it comes to the value of workouts and they will show you what they think of a horse by how they work it.
In order to take advantage of that information, however, you have to know that trainer's patterns and when the pattern indicates that the horse will be sent for the win.
Maidens may be the best class of horses to apply workout handicapping to if you want to use works to pick winners.
While old claimers have been conditioned for years and will often need very little exercise between races, young horses must be exercised regularly in order to build their muscles and stamina.
Trainers also use exercise as a way to gauge their young non-winners and to see which class of race they will be able to win.
Maiden races are often the most honest as far as determining form and ability because trainers usually want to get the win with a young horse.
There are few conditioners who want to keep a horse in their barn if it can't break its maiden race.
Owners want to see the horse that they are supporting win a race and therefore the trainer is under pressure to get a win.
While you have to be concerned about workout patterns and sneaky trainer moves with older horses, works can often be used as an indication that a maiden horse is fit.
The trainer's intent is the key to whether or not works are valid indicators of form or merely a smoke screen to hide whether the horse is fit.
In order to know which trainers and which works you can trust you must have some experience and know what to look for in those patterns.