---
title: Puzzle first then forget smoothly: A puzzle-based method for identifying similar jockey silks for on-site horse race spectators
tags:  #記憶 #競馬 #パズル #塗り絵 #忘却 #観戦体験  
author: [Nakamura Laboratory (Meiji University)](https://image.docswell.com/user/nkmr-lab)
site: [Docswell](https://www.docswell.com/)
thumbnail: https://bcdn.docswell.com/page/YJ9PMRM473.jpg?width=480
description: Puzzle first then forget smoothly: A puzzle-based method for identifying similar jockey silks for on-site horse race spectators by Nakamura Laboratory (Meiji University)
published: October 07, 26
canonical: https://image.docswell.com/s/nkmr-lab/ZN72PW-2026-10-07-170032
---
# Page. 1

![Page Image](https://bcdn.docswell.com/page/YJ9PMRM473.jpg)

Puzzle first then
forget smoothly: A puzzle-based
method for identifying
similar jockey silks for
on-site horse race spectators
Meiji University
Yuki Miyazaki, Satoshi Nakamura
0


# Page. 2

![Page Image](https://bcdn.docswell.com/page/GJ8DLWLVJD.jpg)

Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe
• Held in Paris last Sunday
• One of the worldʼs most prestigious horse races
A race that attracts international attention
Enjoy Horse Racing More
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![Page Image](https://bcdn.docswell.com/page/LJLMLNLRER.jpg)

Background
• Spectators need to find the horse they support during a race
• They identify the horse using its number, jockey cap, coat
color, and jockey silks.
Jockey Cap
Jockey Silks
Horse Number
Coat Color
https://youtu.be/wOtdqohsy2w?si=bgtfyymLcpTHYjcX
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# Page. 4

![Page Image](https://bcdn.docswell.com/page/47MYMXMP7W.jpg)

Background
Horse numbers are commonly used to identify racehorses.
However, they can often be hidden by other horses.
Horse Number
Not visible
https://youtu.be/wOtdqohsy2w?si=bgtfyymLcpTHYjcX
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# Page. 5

![Page Image](https://bcdn.docswell.com/page/P7R9VNVYE9.jpg)

Background
Horse numbers are commonly used to identify racehorses.
However, they can often be hidden by other horses.
The race becomes less
enjoyable
Not
visible
Horse
Number
if spectators cannot find their target horse!
https://youtu.be/wOtdqohsy2w?si=bgtfyymLcpTHYjcX
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# Page. 6

![Page Image](https://bcdn.docswell.com/page/PJXQZNZ47X.jpg)

Tracking System
• Easy for beginners to understand and locate each horse
• The overlay disappears near the finish and draws attention to the large
screen
• Relying too much on such systems makes it harder to watch the horses
compete with your own eyes.
JRA Official Channel: 2024 Victoria Mile (G1), Ten Happy Rose https://youtu.be/wOtdqohsy2w?si=bgtfyymLcpTHYjcX
JRA Official Channel: 2024 Prix de lʼArc de Triomphe (G1), Bluestocking https://youtu.be/pGraxDBcfDM?si=2goLroe3HdWFo-7F
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![Page Image](https://bcdn.docswell.com/page/3JK98N8PJD.jpg)

Background
The variety of jockey silks usually lets spectators identify a horse uniquely,
even when its number or the tracking overlay is not visible
Jockey Silks
JRA Official Channel: 2024 Victoria Mile (G1), Ten Happy Rose https://youtu.be/wOtdqohsy2w?si=bgtfyymLcpTHYjcX
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![Page Image](https://bcdn.docswell.com/page/LE3W2V24E5.jpg)

Background
If spectators only roughly remember the target silk, they may be
confused when several horses wear similar silks.
JRA Official Channel: 2025 Kyoto Kimpai (G3), Sakura Toujours https://youtu.be/4s8lVSLwKPM?si=mMXakbiehTtZ̲f56
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![Page Image](https://bcdn.docswell.com/page/8EDKZ8Z57G.jpg)

Background
If spectators only roughly remember the target silk, they may be
confused when several horses wear similar silks.
Distinguishing similar silks
is important during a race
JRA Official Channel: 2025 Kyoto Kimpai (G3), Sakura Toujours https://youtu.be/4s8lVSLwKPM?si=mMXakbiehTtZ̲f56
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# Page. 10

![Page Image](https://bcdn.docswell.com/page/V7PKD8DDJ8.jpg)

Background
Multiple races are held at a racetrack each day.
The horse you support, and its silk, often changes from race to race.
Remembering the previous silk may cause confusion in the next race.
Race 1
Race 2
Race 3
Race 12
Horse
You Support
Other
Horses
sly
Previou Silk
ized
Memor ears
Reapp
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# Page. 11

![Page Image](https://bcdn.docswell.com/page/2JVV1N1GJQ.jpg)

Background
Multiple races are held at a racetrack each day.
The horse you support, and its silk, often changes from race to race.
Remembering the previous silk may cause confusion in the next race.
Race 1
Horse
You Support
Other
Horses
Race 2
Race 3
Race 12
Spectators need to forget the
memorized silks soon after each race!
sly
Previou Silk
ized
Memor ears
Reapp
10


# Page. 12

![Page Image](https://bcdn.docswell.com/page/5EGL2K8DJL.jpg)

What Support Do We Aim to Provide?
1. Quickly learn to identify the target jockey silks before the race
2. Enjoy the race without relying on system assistance
3. Forget the memorized silks soon after the race
Recognize these silks as those
of the horse you support!
Target Horseʼs Silks
Similar Silks
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# Page. 13

![Page Image](https://bcdn.docswell.com/page/4JQYPN9X7P.jpg)

Puzzle Method
• Swapping cells within
the same silk
Ø Memorize the pattern and
color scheme
• Swapping cells between different silks
Ø Memorize the differences between silks


# Page. 14

![Page Image](https://bcdn.docswell.com/page/K74WYGX2E1.jpg)

Experiments
Does the Puzzle Method
Support Memorization and
Forgetting?
Image Recognition
Experiment
Does Memorization Improve
Race Viewing?
Race Engagement Comparison
Experiment
Video Recognition
Experiment
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# Page. 15

![Page Image](https://bcdn.docswell.com/page/LJ1Y6DNKEG.jpg)

Exp 1. Image Recognition Experiment
• Compared with a coloring method
used by race announcers
• Image recognition test with
moving and partially occluded silks
• N = 12, both methods
https://www.radionikkei.jp/keibablog/150928.html
Coloring
Method
Image Recognition
Test
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![Page Image](https://bcdn.docswell.com/page/GJWGWY4P72.jpg)

Experiment 1 Results
Recognition Accuracy
ØPuzzle Method: 88.0% (95/108)
ØColoring Method: 86.1% (93/108)
The coloring method tended to show lower forgettability because
complex patterns left stronger memory traces.
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![Page Image](https://bcdn.docswell.com/page/4EZL5X2673.jpg)

Exp 2. Video Recognition Experiment
• We conducted a video recognition test in which participants
selected the jockey silk they had memorized from a short race
video of about five seconds.
Video Recognition Test
• We again used the coloring method for
comparison.
• N = 28
ØPuzzle Method vs. Coloring Method
Ø14 participants per method
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![Page Image](https://bcdn.docswell.com/page/Y76W94VL7V.jpg)

Video Recognition Test
Video recognition requires careful test design
Estimating horse positions from
race flow would not test silk
recognition.
All target silks appear
in each video so
participants can select
them in any order.
Short clips are looped so
participants can view
them multiple times if
they miss a target silk.
Identify jockey silks from short
video clips without relying on
race flow.
5s
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![Page Image](https://bcdn.docswell.com/page/G75MNQDM74.jpg)

Experiment 2 Results
The puzzle method showed higher overall accuracy than
the coloring method, while the coloring method showed
lower accuracy in front view footage.
Side View Footage, such as Straights
Front View Footage, such as Curves
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![Page Image](https://bcdn.docswell.com/page/9J295P8RER.jpg)

Subjective Evaluation of Forgettability
Experiment 1
ØDid you recall silks from the previous task during the
recognition test? (1: Not at all 5: Very frequently)
Coloring: 4.25
ØPuzzle: 2.67
Experiment 2
ØDid you feel confused by recalling previously
memorized silks? (1: Not confused 5: Very confused)
Coloring: 2.92
ØPuzzle: 2.38
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![Page Image](https://bcdn.docswell.com/page/DEY4K565JM.jpg)

Experiments 1 and 2 Discussions
Recognition
ØThe puzzle method helped distinguish visually similar silks,
especially when the viewpoint changed.
Forgettability
ØThe puzzle method tended to reduce interference from
previously memorized silks.
The puzzle method encourages attention to differences
between similar silks without creating excessively strong
memory traces.
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![Page Image](https://bcdn.docswell.com/page/VJNYRNZ478.jpg)

Experiments 1 and 2 provided several insights into
memorization and forgetting of jockey silks
using the puzzle method.
But do spectators really need to
memorize jockey silks before the race?
21


# Page. 23

![Page Image](https://bcdn.docswell.com/page/YE9PMRZ4J3.jpg)

Exp 3. Race Engagement Comparison Experiment
Spectators can refer to silk images on a smartphone during the race
without memorizing them in advance.
No memorization burden and no need to rely on memory.
Spectators may look at their smartphone instead of focusing on the race.
N = 32, both methods
Memorization
Memorization
Reference
Reference
Puzzle
Method
Race Engagement
Ø Flow / Immersion
Ø Target Horse Tracking
Ø Race Engagement / Involvement
Ø Satisfaction / Value
Image Reference
Method
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![Page Image](https://bcdn.docswell.com/page/GE8DLW1VED.jpg)

Race Engagement Measures
We adapted engagement measures from prior studies to the context of race
video viewing.
1. Flow / Immersion : Evaluates concentration, immersion, enjoyment, and
excitement during race viewing.
2. Race Engagement / Involvement : Evaluates understanding, prediction,
and active involvement in the race.
3. Satisfaction / Value : Evaluates satisfaction and perceived value of the
race viewing experience.
4. Target Horse Tracking : An original scale for evaluating identification and
attention to the target horse.
1. Kim et al. [2019], Koufaris [2002], Ghani et al. [1991].
3. Brady et al. [2005], Yoshida et al. [2013]
2. Mamada et al. [2023], Saito et al. [2020], Jennett et al. [2008]
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![Page Image](https://bcdn.docswell.com/page/LELMLNQR7R.jpg)

Experiment 3 Results & Discussions
Scale Score（1 to 7）
Number of Gaze Away Count
• The puzzle condition received higher race engagement ratings than the
image reference condition.
• The puzzle condition also reduced gaze away events.
Race
Flow
Target Horse
Satisfaction
Immersion
Tracking Engagement
Value
Involvement
Puzzle
Image
Reference
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![Page Image](https://bcdn.docswell.com/page/4JMYMX1PJW.jpg)

Experiment 3 Results & Discussions
Scale Score（1 to 7）
Number of Gaze Away Count
Using the puzzle before viewing may have not only helped spectators
identify the target horse, but also encouraged more active race viewing by
having them actively interact with the silks in advance.
Race
Flow
Target Horse
Satisfaction
Immersion
Tracking Engagement
Value
Involvement
Puzzle
Image
Reference
25


# Page. 27

![Page Image](https://bcdn.docswell.com/page/PJR9VNLY79.jpg)

Experiments Summery
• Helps spectators distinguish visually similar jockey silks.
• Tends to reduce confusion caused by previously
memorized silks.
• May help spectators stay focused on the race and watch
more actively.
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![Page Image](https://bcdn.docswell.com/page/PEXQZNW4JX.jpg)

Field Studies at Tokyo Racecourse
We investigated how the proposed method is used at
actual racecourses and what benefits and challenges
arise in Tokyo.
Tokyo
Ø39 undergraduate and graduate students used
the proposed method across 158 races.
• Easier to find and follow the target horse
• More exciting and enjoyable race viewing
• Need for a faster and less burdensome interaction
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![Page Image](https://bcdn.docswell.com/page/3EK98NVPED.jpg)

Field Studies at ParisLongchamp
Racecourse
Paris
ØWe also conducted a field study with a small group of
participants at the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe last weekend.
28


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![Page Image](https://bcdn.docswell.com/page/L73W2VM475.jpg)

Differences Between Tokyo and Paris
Tokyo
Paris
ØBetting slips / QR codes
ØMore preparation time
ØTouch screen betting terminals
ØLess preparation time
29