Who buys DRF?

[turfbar]

Curious maybe we could have a poll
who buys a Daily Racing Form and
who doesn't?

[joeyspicks]

ALWAYS.......at the track

Hardly ever actually go to the track anymore

[twindouble]

I've been buying it for almost 45 years and I'll continue to buy it.

[DJofSD]

Bye the what?

DJofSD

[Jeff P]

They still print that?

[OTM Al]

I buy every day a NYRA track is running. Well worth it and a good read on the way to work

[Figman]

I used to buy The Morning Telegraph every day. They morphed into the DRF.
Now I used the PP Generator with the 50 cent TSN data files or the one dollar BRIS data files.

[Storm Cadet]

With CJ's figs and $1 Bris file..buy DRF??? QUOTE THE RAVEN...NEVERMORE! ;)

[Zman179]

I only buy the DRF if I plan on betting multiple tracks (3 or more) that day. Usually on a Monday or Tuesday when one single DRF can last me from 12:25pm at Philadelphia until 11 pm at Mountaineer. For all day action, it's worth the $5.

Otherwise, I use Bris.

[kingfin66]

I buy ITS files (when they are available) and have just signed up for TSN.

[andicap]

I buy it once or twice a week == pretty much out of habit. I just like having the paper in my hands for some reason. And if I haven't downloaded CJ's figures, the Beyers act as an essential "second opinion" on my HTR figures.
I find with speed figures (which I use to help get my contenders), sometimes the Beyers are right, sometimes the Cramers are right, sometimes the HTR velocity figs are right. (And usually CJ's are right. but no one's perfect, even him :D .)

Or I'll buy the 4.0 Formulator which I can use with CJ's figures.
Formulator 4.0 is a good tool if you're playing from home and you don't have to print out a bunch of stuff to take with you to the track and/or simulcast.
Horse's lifetime PPs, trainer patterns, great links to charts and races of other horses. It can help answer from questions.

[Steve 'StatMan']

I have the Annnual Unlmited Formulator 4.0. I need to look at a lot of tracks, so it works out great for me.

Since I've already got all the PPS downloaded and usually bring my computer to the track when I attend live, I rarely buy the print version anymore. Sometimes if I remember, I pick up one on a big racing day for a souvenier.

[Suff]

yes

[socantra]

I buy it when I see it. I don't see it more than a few times a year. Distribution is poor here in Oklahoma. The Native American OTB's generally handle Equibase PPs and the form is only available at Remington Park and a few places near there.

socantra...

[Zaf]

On rare occasions I buy the print edition.

I love the Print Edition, the feel , the smell, takes me back to my early days at Aqueduct, but the data it contains is antiquated.

ZAFONIC

[kingfin66]

On rare occasions I buy the print edition.

I love the Print Edition, the feel , the smell, takes me back to my early days at Aqueduct, but the data it contains is antiquated.

ZAFONIC

Interesting comment Z. Why is the data antiquated? Is it the Beyers? Now that everybody has them, they're useless? That's kind of how I feel about them.

[Vegas711]

I quit buying the DRF 5 years ago. I have a program which is customized it downloads I.T.S data. With the form all you have is RAW data, with a program you have 90 % of the work done with none of the mistakes you would make when you do some math with the form and a pencil.

[thelyingthief]

is this an honest to god thread?

[Zaf]

Interesting comment Z. Why is the data antiquated? Is it the Beyers? Now that everybody has them, they're useless? That's kind of how I feel about them.

Kingfin,

For one , NO PACE FIGURES.

The Beyers are very good numbers, but as you mentioned Kingfin, Everybody has them.

I am using CJ's program. The performance figure is the best compound figure that I have ever seen. In addition CJ's early and late Pace numbers are excellent. So IMHO, I believe I have an edge playing against somebody just using the DRF.

I don't want to knock the DRF, Like I said in my earlier post, I actually like it very much, and I like to purchase it from time to time.

ZAFONIC

[trotter]

Haven't bought it in several years :jump: but I do grab one off a table at the end of the day. I use TSN files.

[Tom]

I buy Formulator 3.0 files on line. See no reason to pay extra for F4 files that only work for a few hours then turn into F3 files. My database talks to me everyday:D

Buy a paper edition sometimes on a Saturday, just to have something solid to read.

[parlay]

have bought it daily for 33 years,only forced sabbaticals excepted.
e.g. vacations at GA, rehab
love it. have used other things but only in concert.
Don't put much value on the Beyers

[BIG RED]

I buy it just about every day. Well worth the $5. It's kind of part of me, can't let it go, and still does fine with me. My security blanket?? Figman, the telegraph, whoa, themzwazthedayz :)

[twindouble]

Big Red; There's ony one paper in this world that I feel proud to carry under my arm in public. Can't say that about all the trash papers on the news stand.

[BIG RED]

TD, it wasn't nicknamed 'The Bible' for nothing, don't ya know.

[twindouble]

Big Red. LOL, I've had days when I felt like it was blessed. :)

[cnollfan]

I buy DRF if I am planning on attending a full slate of simulcasting, but even then if there are some races I am particularly interested in I may copy Brisnet pace figures into it. (In races for winners I throw out a horse's highest number of the last five and average the next two). If I am just following one race or track on a particular day I will use Brisnet instead of DRF.

[takeout]

I used to buy it every day. Haven’t bought one now for about ten years. I will occasionally pick one up that someone leaves behind for comparison purposes. I only play one track so I use TSN at 1/10th the price. Being able to get PPs online was the best thing that ever happened to me. I sure don’t miss chasing all over town trying to find a Form. I also don’t miss paying for a bunch of tracks that I don’t play. :ThmbUp:

[ryesteve]

Not anymore... downloads are more convenient for me. Plus, they're a lot easier to store than those stacks and stacks of old DRFs I used to keep in my basement :)

[takeout]

Ditto that! :)

The only thing I miss about the old Form, the BIG one, is that most days they had all of the result charts on one page.

I never did like the tabloid size. Darn thing wouldn’t fold right to fit in your pocket and it also seemed like the beginning of the “ever shrinking” type size.

[dav4463]

I cannot handicap without the DRF.....

[Speed Figure]

When I'm at the track, that's the only time I use it. I like to put my figures next to the beyer's.

[offtrack]

Haven't bought a form in 10 years. Before that purchased every day, but HDW files for every track in North America at less cost forced me to change my ways.

[Fred]

When you add up the ink and paper it takes to print reports is bris or tsn really that much cheaper.


Freddy

[Valuist]

Fred-

Good point. I guess the answer is to print them up at work :D

I supplement the DRF w/my own information, but I can't imagine betting any kind of money at all w/out it.

[peakpros]

I buy the RF every day that I'm off to Monmouth. About 4x week.

I use CJ's program and copy his pace and performance figs into the form.

[takeout]

When you add up the ink and paper it takes to print reports is bris or tsn really that much cheaper.
I tend to agree with that, but...

...it’s cheaper for me but I only do one track. It also has a lot to do with how one is willing to go about it. Buying Ink and paper in bulk, using remanufactured cartridges and then refilling them over and over, stuff like that. (The one I just replaced I refilled about twenty times. Its original cost was under $7.)

[BillW]

When you add up the ink and paper it takes to print reports is bris or tsn really that much cheaper.


Freddy

As most people use inkjet printers, which are really expensive, you are probably correct. A good laser printer will put out a page much cheaper (25% of the cost of an inkjet in my experience) and will cut cost significantly.

Bill

[Zman179]

You might want to try changing the printer settings to Economy or Fast Draft. They'll print faster, come out clear (not crystal clear but you'll have no problems reading the pp's), and you'll find that your ink will last longer.

[Buckeye]

If you win it's cheap. If you lose it's not.

[Fred]

I buy the RF every day that I'm off to Monmouth. About 4x week.

I use CJ's program and copy his pace and performance figs into the form.


Peakpros: If it won't take a long complicated answer please let me know how you do that. (CJ into form)


Freddy

[Milleruszk]

As most people use inkjet printers, which are really expensive, you are probably correct. A good laser printer will put out a page much cheaper (25% of the cost of an inkjet in my experience) and will cut cost significantly.

Bill

I think a laser might even be more of a savings. I bought a Brother B/W laser just to print out my PPs. One of the smartest things I have done in a while. The laser is much cheaper to operate. Plus your wife or girlfriend will like that you don't come home with ink all over you. The laser print does not smear like an inkjet.

[Fred]

I just read a review (WSJ I think) about the new laser printer from Dell for $99 and the writer seemed impressed with it.




Freddy

[QuarterCrack]

I do the same thing - when I go to the track on Saturday (I can only go on Saturdays), I buy the Form the day before and transcribe CJ's numbers into it. Then I do my handicapping that night and I bring the Form with me to the track the next day, though I don't really use it while I'm there - I make all my notes in the track program and only casually refer to the Form; it's like my worksheet, for lack of a better word - I use it to come up with my selections, and once I have them, I put it away unless I want to clarify something. Then, after all the racing is done for the day, I may review the Form again to look at some of the races again, now that I know the results, to see where I may have made errors in judgement, etc.

If I play during weeknights, I download the Form online and print it out and transcribe CJs numbers into it.

There's something about the paper version, though - I like it a lot and wish I played often enough to make a subscription worthwhile - I think it would be cool to have it delivered straight to my door every day. :)

[BIG RED]

If you win it's cheap. If you lose it's not.

Bingo

[BIG RED]

Then I do my handicapping that night and I bring the Form with me to the track the next day, though I don't really use it while I'm there - I make all my notes in the track program and only casually refer to the Form; it's like my worksheet, for lack of a better word .

I do the exact same thing, but, I throw the form out when I'm done. I have my picks set up on the program, and if scratches or later track conditions happen I don't want the form near me. I go with my picks or pass, that's why I learned to get rid of it, or I re-cap, fast, which doesn't work with me. I stay with I have on the program and relax.

There's something about the paper version, though - I like it a lot and wish I played often enough to make a subscription worthwhile - I think it would be cool to have it delivered straight to my door every day. :)

Did that. Cost big for a 'paper'! Sometimes it would show the morning of. Now it doesn't matter, don't have to go rush thru the snow after you just fast capped, much better with the net!

that came up wrong? 2nd paragraph is mine

[Valuist]

Guess what: if you win, the cost of the ink/toner is still too expensive. I always print them out at work. That's the way to go. :)

[levinmpa]

The Form was only $1 when I started betting as a teenager. For some reason, that didn't seem like a lot for what you got. How much does it cost now? I haven't bought a Form in at least 9 years. Now I do it all online and print out what I need. The $0.50 TSN PP Data files give me everything I need. I only play one or two tracks a day, so I'm not spending any more than I did 25 years ago.

I was a daily reader for years. I worked in the Nevada racebooks and never had to pay for it. I used to love the Eastern Edition before it went tabloid. You could fold it so that an entire race of PP's were visible without having to turn a page. I do miss reading the columns everyday, but I have long gotten over that. I'll never go back.

[LutherCalvin]

The DRF is still is the Bible of Handicappers and the most popular daily newspaper in the country. The winners are in there. You just have to know how to read it.

[andicap]

The DRF is still is the Bible of Handicappers and the most popular daily newspaper in the country. The winners are in there. You just have to know how to read it.

Uh, the Wall Street Journal has 2 million readers, the NY Times 1 million; other dailies are in the hundreds of thousands in circ. I think the DRF's daily circ is much lower than that.

[LutherCalvin]

Andicap, don't confuse me with the facts! :)
I don't know a lot of people who save their old copies of the WSJ and NY Times.

[Tom]

The DRF is still is the Bible of Handicappers and the most popular daily newspaper in the country. The winners are in there. You just have to know how to read it.

Yes, all the winners are in therre.
All the books are also in the dictionary - some assembly requried.:D

[Zman179]

Uh, the Wall Street Journal has 2 million readers, the NY Times 1 million; other dailies are in the hundreds of thousands in circ. I think the DRF's daily circ is much lower than that.

I couldn't find the circulation figures for the DRF, but I did find some nice tidbits about it's readers:

• 63.7% of DRF readers purchase the DRF 4-7 times a week.
• The average time spent reading the DRF is 2 hours 36 minutes.
• 60.8% of DRF readers go to the track/simulcast outlet twice a week or more.
• The average gambling bankroll brought to the track by a DRF reader is $441 with the highest average, 37.2%, bringing $100 to $249 as a bankroll.
• 62.6% of DRF readers have frequented a casino within the past 12 months.
• 75% of DRF readers are male.
• The average age of a DRF reader is 45.8 years with the lowest demographic being readers 18-34 years of age.
• 53.1% have a household income of $50,000+.
• 99% of DRF readers own or lease an automobile (I'm one of the 1%ers).
• The largest demo, 29.3%, project $15,000 to $19,999 for a new car purchase.
• 39.7% of DRF readers smoke.

In short, DRF readers tend to be old, compulsive gamblers who drive cheap cars.

[PaceAdvantage]

Where did you get those stats from?

[kev]

It's on the DRF website.

[PaceAdvantage]

It's on the DRF website.

I'm surprised....

[peakpros]

Peakpros: If it won't take a long complicated answer please let me know how you do that. (CJ into form)


Freddy

I copy the pace figure before the beyer fig.in the form for the horse in question.

Next I copy CJ's performance fig in the margin in the right of the paper. I copy it in such a way that I can use it to spot form cylces easily.

FWIW; this year has not been as good as the past two years. (last year was lights out!)

I have been slumping recently but today was a terrific day and I think I will turn things around the rest of the way.

[BillW]

Are those the questions they are asking for their new and improved sign-up procedure? - If so there is probably quite a bit of bogus info sullpied by readers.

[peakpros]

I couldn't find the circulation figures for the DRF, but I did find some nice tidbits about it's readers:

• 63.7% of DRF readers purchase the DRF 4-7 times a week.
• The average time spent reading the DRF is 2 hours 36 minutes.
• 60.8% of DRF readers go to the track/simulcast outlet twice a week or more.
• The average gambling bankroll brought to the track by a DRF reader is $441 with the highest average, 37.2%, bringing $100 to $249 as a bankroll.
• 62.6% of DRF readers have frequented a casino within the past 12 months.
• 75% of DRF readers are male.
• The average age of a DRF reader is 45.8 years with the lowest demographic being readers 18-34 years of age.
• 53.1% have a household income of $50,000+.
• 99% of DRF readers own or lease an automobile (I'm one of the 1%ers).
• The largest demo, 29.3%, project $15,000 to $19,999 for a new car purchase.
• 39.7% of DRF readers smoke.

In short, DRF readers tend to be old, compulsive gamblers who drive cheap cars.





45 is old????


I'm not complusive; don't smoke; don't feel old and I own two BMW's less than a year old each.

And I would never make a bet without the form.

[twindouble]

45 is old????


I'm not complusive; don't smoke; don't feel old and I own two BMW's less than a year old each.

And I would never make a bet without the form.

64 is old.

I'm compusive, I smoke, I feel old, never owned a BMW but the wife just baught a new Toyota that the horses will eventually pay for like they have in the past. It will just take longer because I'm older. :cool:

[BIG RED]

64 is old.

I'm compusive, I smoke, I feel old, never owned a BMW but the wife just baught a new Toyota that the horses will eventually pay for like they have in the past. It will just take longer because I'm older. :cool:

:D :D I will leave that alone, because I could add!!

[maxwell]

The DRF keeps you up to speed with all aspects of the game. I could download the info I need but I enjoy reading it.

It's the world's most accurate newspaper so I guess it makes sense that it is also the most expensive?

It's worth the price just to read Jay Hovday's articles. :cool:

[nobeyerspls]

Hi TD
I'm a refugee from the other site. It kept getting weirder and weider over there.

Good to see you still kicking and cashing winners I hope. I too buy the form the day before race day. Of course there's just one column that I don't use but the rest of it works well for me.

[twindouble]

Hi TD
I'm a refugee from the other site. It kept getting weirder and weider over there.

Good to see you still kicking and cashing winners I hope. I too buy the form the day before race day. Of course there's just one column that I don't use but the rest of it works well for me.

Wecome aboard my friend. :) Weird is an understatement. You just reminded me I have to get some more black felt makers, the first thing I do is block out the Beyer figures. Makes me feel like I'm looking at the form the way it should be.

Aside from the fact I've been a little cranky lately, I'm doing just fine with the horses. How about you?

[kev]

Nob, it's funny you said you came from the drf board, very rare do I ever go over there anymore. Other day ( at drf.com ) someone asked is there another site that talks horse racing and not alot of BS, of course I told them sure paceadvantage.com this is a great site.

[Wickel]

I'm primarily a student of the BRIS pps, but on weekends I still buy DRF because it contains so many tracks. I play 'em all. Plus, the Western edition has a great editorial package.

[SmartArt]

Hi TD
I'm a refugee from the other site. It kept getting weirder and weider over there.

Gee, you think? I just laugh at it all - after all, it is the internet.

Anyway, I just buy the Bris PP's because I only play 1 track. Most of the articles can usually be found on the DRF site anyway.

[Nickle]

The best bang for your buck is still the equibase book published by sports eye
21 tracks of pp's for $3 per day in a book format

I wish they delivered it

[nobeyerspls]

Doing Ok except July has been a month in the red so far. Same old story - solid handicapping coupled with lousy money management. It's not what you bet, it's how you bet it.