Seek Software With CLASS!

[Hosshead]

Seasons Greetings: To the best collection of handicapping minds this side of Saturn. (I was going to say Uranus, but it just didn't sound right!). Anyway, even though I've got almost 40yrs. of handicapping experience, I've only 1yr. with a computer. And want to purchase my first Handicapping Software! But heres the deal: I want a SW that has all the usual stuff, (pace,speed,etc.) and a database that you can ask "What If". But I also want an Excellent Class Rating---NOT BASED ON PURSE! But based on the class level of the races, and takes into consideration the class of the track(major/minor). So that Statebred races with added purse money aren't ranked higher than "open" races at the same level. So that races at minor tracks with "slot" purses, aren't ranked higher than races at major tracks without slots. I just want it to do what I can do by looking at the DRF. And I prefer "last class" over "past class". Also I'm really not a longshot player, (yet) not into long runouts.(Win bettor). Been checking out some sw on this forum: 1.HSH-too expensive/complex for a FTS like me 2.HTR-says"no class adj. in final rating"(to bad I really like the" Vi"rating. 3.Horsesense-goes by Purse. I was leaning to Equisim but heard it goes by purse,true? What about Zambuto sw? Can anyone help? Thanks

[Speed Figure]

netcapper.com Go to this site and check out the capper a 1st class program.:)

You can download the demo and see how it works.:cool: :D

EquiSim is a great program you can download it for 15 days and try it out.Thorotech.com

[Hosshead]

Thanks speed figure, I went to the site you gave me, downloaded the demo, and went through it (takes a while), but it seems to use purse, for class. Maybe I'll try the EquiSim demo.----thanks, ---Hosshead

[JimG]

Hosshead,

Although I don't use it regularly due to data costs, I would think All-Ways software is probably what your looking for.

Take a look at www.brisnet.com and/or www.frandsen.com


Jim

[Hosshead]

JimG ---I took a look at those files, but I'm like you, $7-$10 per track is way out of my range. Appreciate the try!----Hoss

[levinmpa]

Hosshead. I don't know exactly what you're looking for as far as how the class rating is comprised. Personally I think HTR is the best software out there. It's also a tremendous value. Unlimited downloads of data for $119 per month. That coupled with the ability to export all of the data, results and charts to a Database to query angles and other factors makes it unbeatable. I don't know if this helps, but here's an explanation of the class figure from the help file.

"The Class and Performance ratings in HTR-Software are unique. The factors are "static". That is they cannot be altered by paceline selection, but are assigned by the computer. They are based on the Par which appears in the top right corner of each race printout. They have been computed on a nationwide basis, NOT calculated from a single set of 10k claiming pars as many commercial speed figures do. The Class rating is not based upon any time or beaten length data, but only on competitiveness within Class levels."

I'm sure Ken Massa can give you a more thorough explanation of how this class number is arrived at. He's very quick to respond to e-mail inquiries. Write him at: kmsoft@earthlink.net

Good luck.

[Hosshead]

Levinmpa,- I took your advice and got the HTR demos. But they only showed what each box (catagory) represented on different screens. They didn't tell you "How to Use" the program, get it up and running, and use the basic defaults. So I contacted Ken M. (seems like a nice guy), he emailed me back promptly (like you said), but: he told me that there is NO instruction manual for HTR. That I should try to learn from the newsletter articles on the HTR website. Yeah I know htr is free, but the files arn't. (Wish somebody would have written a basic instr. manual for hsh). So I'm going to check out the Zambuto and Equisim programs. It is becoming apparent, that--- Forget About SW That Does The Things I Want,--- a FTS at sw, like me, (though a longtime handicapper), who is Not a computer expert, like so many of you Are on this BB, (and I think you guys are great!),-- is Really Limited to buying a program that the author has cared enough, about New People like me, to put just as much effort into basic instructions, as he did into the program itself ! Sure sw programs are constantly changing, and instructions would have to be added. But come on, spending $100-$600+ on a program with no CLEAR instructions? Don't newcomers even deserve that? Guess I'm not in the inner circle. Anyway, thanks Levinmpa, and the rest of you guys who cared enough to take the time to answer my posts, I really appreciated it ! And Tom, sometimes I'd go to this site just to read your posts. Just think, you caused me to laugh outloud in this lonely room late at night, from thousands of miles away. Now Thats power ! The power of laughter.---------Clear&Fast-----Hosshead

[formula_2002]

If you want all the class, speed,form,pace,recency,jockey,trainer,most every stat to can think of, try Bris's ALL-WAYS.
The soft ware is free, but to get the "export" feature and the other bells and whisles it will cost a few hundred.
The data files will cost you $7.00 per track per day.

If you are a serious 'caper take a look at bris.com

[midnight]

"But come on, spending $100-$600+ on a program with no CLEAR instructions?"

I see you don't use anything sold by Microsoft. If you want to have fun trying to learn something, take a shot at MS Access.

I don't know of any software program that uses class in the way you want it done. What I do know is that Ken Massa will program whatever you want into your copy of HTR, for a fee, of course. If you want a rating based on a formula of your own choosing, he can do it.

[formula_2002]

Midnight, I use their data(all-ways) , but I write my own programs
using Dbase. I have Access, but after using Borlands Dbase for over 15 years, I 'm more confortable with it.

Regards
Joe M

[hurrikane]

Hoss...HTR has the best manual out there. It's right online. you can search the site for posts from all of the users and if that doesn't answer your question then you just ask. I haven't run into a better bunch of folks than you will find over there. And Massa is a first class guy.

It makes all the difference in the world.

And, unlike this site, you can even ask stupid questions.

[tcat]

Ken Massa is light years ahead of anything on the market. Everytime I am asked to look at a piece of software, I see something that Ken gave us years ago. It amazes me that he gives it away free, and the gall of some people to charge money for their programs.
There are definitions available for everything in the software, but there is so much information available, and you are new to handicapping, you will need to study. HTR is a tool....you still need to handicap.
I learned a long time ago that nothing worthwhile comes easy. Be aware of anyone who tells you it will be easy...nonesense.

One more thing, Ken is a straight shooter! He won't lie to you. If something doesn't work he will tell you. Remember, he has been around for years, he doesn't advertise and his list of users has grown every year. In my opinion, some of the best handicappers in the country are his clients.

Just check how much money his users are making in the national tournamnets.

[levinmpa]

Tcat is right on the money. Another thing that might help with HTR are the monthly newsletters that are available on the website. You can read the newsletters from the previous 2 years. Each month Ken writes about an HTR factor and provides insightful statistics that can help you achieve better success with the program. They are incredibly well written and I look forward to reading them each month.

Good luck Hoss.

[Tom]

Just looked in my download directory and i see about 17 udgrades to the HTR program over the last year or so...all free.
I still use the old DOS version, about 20-upgrades ago, it works so well. The thing I like best is that are so many different windows into a race, I can pick and choose not only what I am comfortable with, but with what is clicking at specific tracks as shown by the easy model-capability. I got HTR initially for the pace/speed figs, but actually, I hardly every use tham anymore. I lone the velocity PP section-every paceline expressed in fps style.
Makes it easy to spot improving horses at any fraction. And I am also building a huge db to use for research as well. (Actually, I think taking care of a baby and a puppy would be easier than raising a db, but that's just me- I have made errors that Access doesn't even have error-messages for yet! <G>).

Yeah, I pay $119 a month for the data, but not really- it is free data since I profit more than $119 a month using it. If I were to stop using HTR today, it would cost me money if you look at what I wouldn't be making with it.

[Richard]

If your going to check out ALL-WAYS,it wont hurt to also take a look at MULTICAPS 2000(also at www.brisnet.com).

[Handle]

When I see this:

>>It amazes me that he gives it away free, and the gall of some people to charge money for their programs.

It makes me so irrate.... But rather than brow beat the stooge who wrote it, I'll just remind him of where a good portion of his 119$/month is going. That's "free" eh?

One of those full of gall (but not full of Sh*t),

-Nathan

[GR1@HTR]

Young Nathan, step on over to the dark side son...Give away your program for smaller fee $49 and then join the ranks of HDW for unlimited downloads...That way you may reap the rewards of dividend/annuity type payouts.

[Handle]

GR1,

And then the program's admirers would also be able to call it free....

The thought has crossed my mind at various points. But since all I have to do is wiggle my nose the right way to create the software, I don't have enough GALL to do that.


If I could offer a deal for 50-60$/month that would also net me 20-30$, I'd do it tomorrow, esp. given some of the new things I'm working on where access to all the data becomes more important and beneficial. But we're in the information age, and the data providers run the show folks.

-N

[ljb]

Hosshead ,
Check out Darkhorse. This may be what you are looking for in class. I think it is darkhorsenet. com. Download demo and let me know what you think.

[il2randr]

Hosshead, if there is a better program out there than the one Joe Zambuto developed I want to know about it. Cheap data files .50 at TSN and 1.00 at BRIS with free result files, wow, how can this be beat? I have used allways, neurax, multicaps, aodds and nothing beats this program. Currently at the Fairgrounds it has the longest payoff to date, 40-1, in a 6F claiming as the top choice.
I would like to see Joe make some changes to make the program more user friendly but I have been using it for 3 months and have control of it now.

[Zaf]

Originally posted by il2randr
Hosshead, if there is a better program out there than the one Joe Zambuto developed I want to know about it. Cheap data files .50 at TSN and 1.00 at BRIS with free result files, wow, how can this be beat? I have used allways, neurax, multicaps, aodds and nothing beats this program. Currently at the Fairgrounds it has the longest payoff to date, 40-1, in a 6F claiming as the top choice.
I would like to see Joe make some changes to make the program more user friendly but I have been using it for 3 months and have control of it now.

I am glad you are doing well with it. I just purchased it last Sunday. Any advice or tips for a new user trying to learn ?

Thanks

ZAFONIC

[rmania]

Hi,

Been lurking for a long time but this is my first post.

Seems as though the search for the Holy Grail of handicapping software continues.

Well, maybe this will interest you.

I have a program that I developed. It's not for sale and it's not available to the general public. But it might be what a lot of you are seaching for.

Its not prediction software (no "system" picks) but its a handicapping tool that helps you make your own predictions. And, IMO, it works quite well.

There are a couple of drawbacks (in you want to call them that):
1. Its effective on sprints only (races under 1 mile) and
2. Its current configuration supports SoCal racing only (i.e., SA, HOL, DMR)

If you would like to take a look at it just e-mail me and I'll send you a copy (no charge, free). All I ask is that after trying it you provide me with a little feedback.

BTW, in case you're wondering, I'm 48 years old, been handicapping for 30 years, and I'm an Application Developer with more than 15 years experience.:)