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midnight
02-24-2003, 08:41 PM
I'm looking to buy a program or two to help me in the unending quest to find overlays. Since I don't believe that any program will operate as a black box, the purpose of the program will be to find horses that meet the criteria I set, which I can then analyze manually.

I know that HTR is excellent, and the latest version looks like Ken is putting a lot of things in it so that it's useful to more than just pace handicappers. Pace handicapping isn't my strong suit, and I'm looking more towards something that is a bit broader in its spectrum of analysis.

What programs do you use, and what criteria do they use for their output?

Vigors
02-25-2003, 01:21 AM
" You already have the knowledge of existing programs

to determine EXACTLY what you're looking for...but you

seem to be overlooking the obivious...just give Tom Console

a shout....I'm sure he'd go out of his way to help you !!!

Vigors
02-25-2003, 01:32 AM
.......I'm sure he'd go out of his way to help you.........

.............off an Airplane without a parachute.....

Richard
02-25-2003, 06:28 AM
Midnight,
Please do not take this post the wrong way as it is not my intention to antagonize any one.Have you considered using SNAPCAPPER PRO SE?This program looks at each horse in the field from an overall perspective and produces its ratings.I can testify that using this program got me the number 5 spot finish in the Public Handicapper PH Prep contest A year ago(out of about 2500 players).Just a suggestion Midnight,nothing more.
Richard

tcat
02-25-2003, 01:14 PM
HTR

Doug
02-25-2003, 01:46 PM
Midnight

I don't know what your criteria is.

Check out the platnum report at Racingpicks.com

Lots of stuff, Horse for course, patterns, trainer angles, true odds line, etc.

This stuff is computer generated so I find it best to verify manually. I love big prices and believe me this one gets some doozys in the top four.

Of course it is like anything else, you have to use it with a little artistic view, but at $27.95 per month it may be worth checking it out.

I have no interested in this report except for using it.

Any others use this report services? opinions?

Doug

JoeG
02-25-2003, 02:24 PM
Hey midnight:

I use HSH for t-breds and some homegrown databases for harness races. Both of these I use in the way you're seeking: finding overlays.

I assume you're looking for t-bred software, so I'll comment on HSH. HSH can automatically import odds from the "At the Races" software from Gary Pizzigoti or semi-automatically using the Supertote web site and some copy-and-pasting. Using one, or a weighted combination of up to four of the programs 14 main composite factors, you can press a button to find horse with an optimum betting percentage (basically an overlay) based on odds and rating. This is one of the most basic parts of the software that has been in there for a while. I've used this as my main source of betting over the past 6 months.

The one "drawback" of HSH is that there are so many different parts to the program, that you may suffer from one of two problems if you decide to get it. One is the "child getting lost in the candy store" problem. You will have the urge to try every piece of "candy" in the software and never figure out a profitable way to use the software. The worst variation of this is one I suffer from: every time Dave (the programmer) comes out with a new feature I have a tendency to play with it and after "a little" testing take it too the windows...often with bad results. I usually end up going back to the basics that I'm currently using now.

The second problem is related to the first: Little written documentation. Dave has done a good thing recently with a video newsletter that can be purchased every few months, but a good basic manual with some simple ways to use the software does not exist. The message board has a number of good people who are willing to help with any questions someone has, but when a newbie receives the software for the first time, he/she has little idea as to how it should be used.

But to get back to your question, if you're looking for a software package that does a good job of finding overlays, HSH is one that fits the bill, at least the way that I use it. It won't produce a traditional oddsline sheet, but if you do your betting from a computer attached to the internet it could help you.

Right now I believe there is just one flavor of HSH. Dave often runs specials but I don't believe there is one now. I think Dave is thinking about an HSH lite version that doesn't have all the bells and whistles (like database, AI stuff) but I know its not available now. Frankly, I don't use all these bells and whistles right now. I'm glad tthat i have them, but really I don't need them.

If you have any questions or are thinking about HSH, you can send me a message. Its a big investment but for me its been worth it. The way I play I check the races 1-2 mtp and place my wager after 2 button presses. I still don't pre-cap races very well, though some people with HSH are just the opposite. If you're a go to the OTB with a sheet type of person, I'm not sure if HSH is for you right now. If you plan on betting from home, HSH could be right for you.

JoeG
02-25-2003, 02:33 PM
...one other thing

I've also tried Racing Picks. This would be a good product to use if you are a take it to the track kind of guy. I would probably use it if I went to an OTB or one of the local casinos to bet the ponies.

With these "sheets" I would concentrate on one of a few areas:

1) Use the oddsline for their top 4 picks and take the horse with the best overlay of 50% or more among the top 4

2) Bet any trainer angle that qualifies over 8-1 odds as they explain it on their web site.

I only purchased the sheets for one month to check them out, but they seem to do a decent job in the weeks that I tested them. they list a ton of angle, but there is no way to bet them all. The trainer angles seems to be the most profitable.

midnight
02-25-2003, 03:07 PM
Thanks for the information.

Doug
02-25-2003, 03:47 PM
JOEG WROTE,

I only purchased the sheets for one month to check them out, but they seem to do a decent job in the weeks that I tested them. they list a ton of angle, but there is no way to bet them all. The trainer angles seems to be the most profitable.


JOEG is correct in saying you can't use them all. They give angles for almost every horse in the race. I like to use them when a horse is not in the top 4 and a real good price. Don't mind betting a couple horses per race if need be. They have several different betting stratagies designed for the output of the reports.

JOEG. I don't bet online or by phone, but why do you think these reports can only be used at the track? There are several sites that give live odds on the races to find the overlays and good prices. Just curious.

The only drawback I have found to these reports is that you cannot scratch horses. They do the early scratches, but not late scratches. So sometimes a horse may not be listed as a lone e or lone s, but after scratches there may be one.

There are days when the top choice wins 5 or 6 races. Lots of short prices there. Here and there you catch a goody.

IMO these sheets are as good as any other reports or software programs that I have personally seen or used. And again, the price is right. They have reports for just about any track you can think of.

I would be very interested in (if there are any) sharing insights with others about these sheets.

Doug

JoeG
02-25-2003, 04:32 PM
Doug:

Sorry...didn't mean to imply that they could not be used from home. I was only trying to say that they were a good tool for a print it out and take it to the track system. I personally prefer using the software I have (HSH) while I'm at home and have access to a computer. Its simply a comfort level i have at finding overlays when I'm home that I don't have using the racingpicks sheets.

I tracked the oddsline for 3 weeks at all the tracks and found that using their instructions I had a 2.5% ROI betting all overlays in the top 4 picks. Betting the best overlay only among the top 4 picks returned a 8% ROI. The site's testomonials reflect some inflated ROI numbers that are a little misleading. Also they don't provide great instructions on how to use the oddsline. For example, they talk about betting the best overlay in the top 4. What does that mean? There are a few interpretations. Also many of their examples in their little articles imply great exotic winnings can be had. But I could pick out an example of a $500 trifecta from my software from 3 days ago that I could have gotten.

Now that's not to imply these sheets are bad or good. I just wanted to point out the plusses and minuses. That's why I echoed your post about the sheets because it could be a good tool. But based on my tests, I found that i can make 3 times the ROI using the software that I use. So that's why I said the sheets would be good for a take it to the track kind of guy.

The things that I found best about the sheets were the trainers angles at 8-1 or better with 3 lines of comments as they stated. I found them returning about 30% ROI....not too bad except for some runouts.

The worst were their inflated testomonials related to their oddsline. Yes they say to use it as a tool and test things out repeatedly, but printing testomials and high priced examples imply a pot of gold.

So in short I say the racingpicks sheets are a good tool if used properly. Just as I say the HSH software I use also is good tool if used properly.

I know there is some good software out there. There I haven't used it personally, people I respect tell me HTR is a great software product. From personal experience, I know HSH is a good piece of software. I pointed out the good and bad points of HSH above in my first post. Because I can't translate what I do in HSH to a sheet of paper, I can't use it at the OTB. Some people with HSH pre-pick, but there are others like me who are slaved to the odds. To each his own.

tedwin
02-25-2003, 04:35 PM
midnight, I would wholeheartedly recommend HSH. As one of the posters indicated, the scope of the program is quite large. It is not a "one size fits all program; there are numerous approaches that can be used with it. Different approaches work better for different handicappers.

I will mention several attributes:

1. While the diversity of approaches can seem confusing if one first tries to master the whole program, the ability to find a particular approach that is right for you (or any particular user) is far greater than with other programs with which I am familiar.

2. The program is ever expanding. Dave has put out many updates without charging for them.

3. Due to the number of updates, a written manual may be out of date almost as soon as it were issued, but the videos mantioned in another post are extremely effective in learning how to use the program (both the older parts and the new updates).

4. The customer service that Dave Schwartz provides is truly outstanding. I mentioned in another post a few weeks ago that it should be a model for providing suctomer service for any company. Some of the answers will come from other users on the HSH Bulletin board, but Dave responds very quickly both to questions asked of him on the bulletin board, and by email when that is a more appropriate way to deal with a particular problem of a particular person.

I am sure he would also be happy to talk with you by phone if you have specific questions you would like to address with him - either before a purchase while you are in the process of making a decidion on what to get or afterwards if there is a reason that would make it more appropriate than using either the bulletin board or email.

Doug
02-25-2003, 04:41 PM
JOEG

I agree with all you said.


as with a lot of productsthere are inflated roi's.

On this trainer study you did. The 8-1 and up theory. Was that for all tracks they list?

Doug

JoeG
02-25-2003, 04:46 PM
Yes....all tracks over 20 days if I remeber correctly. There were some bombs in there which made the roi that good. I believe the win% was in single digits...I'll have to find the data when I get a chance.

They seemed to be the best "icons" on the sheets.

oldstuff
02-25-2003, 04:50 PM
I have FOCUS by ADPA along with about 15 data files for about 6 tracks sitting in my computer.

It "guarantees" a minimum of 65% win, up through 85% (?)

I just can't relate to it. Their terminology (SCs32, npRcs, etc) makes absolutely no sense to me. Their online manual is somewhat ok but too technical, without adequate explanation. Seems like it was written by someone who figured that everyone would understand it. Maybe I have to keep building my models more but as I understand it the models only track the last 15 races (in each category).

I haven't given it a fair chance. Anyone use it with any success? I have lost about $400 last year using it (very minimal use). Betting can be directed to a single horse, but it seems the program is directed to Dutch and 3/5 exactas.

I also have Talbot Pace (computer) program as well as Allways, TRS, Handicapping Magic, Multicaps, Einstein, Speed40.

I am looking for the final 'holy grail' as my eyesight is failing and I just can't read the form too well any more. Allways data is good but like the form, becoming undecipherable. Just give me one good program....just the final 'one' to stick with for the few years I have left. Suggestions appreciated.

I am going to take a good, long hard look at RaceMaker. I used it for 4 races Sunday, cashed 3 tickets and the 4th bet came in 3rd. I hate to tell you that I used it 'out of the box' and I don't think Boyd intended it to be used to pick winners. I didn't realize it was a handicap 'tool'. I only found that out when I read his post. So I made a mistake.

fmazur
02-25-2003, 05:04 PM
Stay with HTR. It by far provides the biggest bang for the buck. There are several very good handicapping programs on the market, but I would say HTR would be the ONE software by which all the others are measured.

azmike
02-26-2003, 01:50 AM
Originally posted by Richard
Midnight,
Please do not take this post the wrong way as it is not my intention to antagonize any one.Have you considered using SNAPCAPPER PRO SE?This program looks at each horse in the field from an overall perspective and produces its ratings.I can testify that using this program got me the number 5 spot finish in the Public Handicapper PH Prep contest A year ago(out of about 2500 players).Just a suggestion Midnight,nothing more.
Richard

Never heard of it. Is there a web site or can you provide more info?

Thanks.

rmania
02-26-2003, 07:25 AM
Just read oldstuff’s post and a lot of what he wrote could probably be said for a large majority of handicappers.

Compared to other forms of gambling, horse racing has the oldest fan base and there doesn’t seem to be an overwhelming amount of younger people getting involved in the sport. Of course we’ve all heard the reasons for this so I won’t take this any further.

Needless to say, I use RaceMaker too. And, when utilized to its full potential, it’s as good (if not better) than anything else for finding the contenders.

I’ve dabbled with other programs but have always found them to be too ridged, too persuasive, and most seem too complicated. I don’t like using programs that I have to pretend to understand or those that leave no option but to play what it suggests.

Oldstuff mentioned that he used RaceMaker “out of the box” which leads me to believe that he just downloaded the past performances and created the simulations without first handicapping the races. And there’s nothing wrong with that as I’m sure most of us have been guilty in the past of over-handicapping a race.

But RaceMaker’s handicapping feature is truly unique. Pardon the cliché, but a picture IS worth a thousand words (or in this case numbers). It’s amazing just how fast the information, displayed by the imagery, is processed by the brain. With just a couple of mouse clicks you can virtually see how the race is likely to shape up. And, even though the program allows for the substituting of pacelines, I have found that a horse’s most current race is usually the best barometer for trying to figure out what it will do today.

I play mostly straight bets with an occasional exacta here and there, but RaceMaker can be very effective for hitting the tris and supers. There are functions that allows you to add horses to a selection list, then remove those same horse from the mix thus providing some visibility into the race within the race.

I’ve asked the folks at PaceAdvantage to conduct a review of RaceMaker (they have a copy) and hopefully some day they’ll get around to it.

Lefty
02-26-2003, 12:23 PM
azmike, The Snapcapper is a Tom Console prgm and sold by Dave Powers at RPM.

cj
02-26-2003, 12:33 PM
Originally posted by Lefty
azmike, The Snapcapper is a Tom Console prgm and sold by Dave Powers at RPM.

Here is the web site:

RPM (http://www.handicappingedge.com/)

Swim at your own risk, the sharks are in the water!

CJ

TonyK@HSH
02-26-2003, 02:09 PM
Midnight,

My recommendation is to give HSH a strong look. The product does provide the ability to attack a race from MANY perspectives. Since I'm not sure what your specific strengths are I'd suggest giving Dave Schwartz a call to determine if the program is a fit for you. He's a straight shooter and very fair to his clients.

TonyK

azmike
02-26-2003, 02:22 PM
Originally posted by cjmilkowski
Here is the web site:

RPM (http://www.handicappingedge.com/)

Swim at your own risk, the sharks are in the water!

CJ

Thanks Cj and Lefty. I was just curious because I have never heard of that one. I follow the discussions on all of the major programs, Equisim, HTR , HSH etc but this was one I must have missed the earlier discussions. Not a big deal, just trying to stay current :)

Handle
02-26-2003, 02:52 PM
Where can one get a look at RaceMaker? This simulation stuff sounds interesting.

:D ;) :D ;) :D ;) :D ;)

PaceAdvantage
02-26-2003, 04:47 PM
Well, between the demands that this proposed inter-board contest has unexpectedly placed upon me, along with the fact that my PC died on me a few days ago, and I just finished replacing the motherboard, CPU, ram, video card and installed a dual-boot of Win98 and Win2k....I'd say I've been a pretty busy boy in my spare time the last week.

I promise I will get to checking out RaceMaker asap.....


==PA

azmike
02-26-2003, 05:34 PM
Originally posted by PaceAdvantage
along with the fact that my PC died on me a few days ago,


==PA

Must be contagious--my hard drive died last Friday. Will be without my laptop for 2-3 weeks :(

Dave Schwartz
02-26-2003, 05:45 PM
PA,

Right after your review of HSH, right? <G>

Dave

PaceAdvantage
02-26-2003, 05:57 PM
For me, it was the motherboard that passed on.....

Gave me an excuse to upgrade to a Abit i7 Max 2.0 (intel 845PE chipset), with ATA serial, 533mhz fsb, P4 2.66 Ghz CPU, and an NVIDIA Ti4600 video card...finally installed my 120GB hard drive (with 8mb cache) that's been sitting in my closet for a few months now....

In any event....it was a bitch, but it's finished....

And Dave, regarding HSH, I'll need to talk to you about that...



==PA

Topcat
02-26-2003, 06:50 PM
I've evaluated and used about 25 pieces of horse race software over the years and for me there is only one that i would recommend: Horsetreet Handicapper or HSH by Dave Schwartz.

If you're serious about winning $s this is the one I would recomend.

TC

azmike
02-26-2003, 07:45 PM
Originally posted by Topcat
I've evaluated and used about 25 pieces of horse race software over the years and for me there is only one that i would recommend: Horsetreet Handicapper or HSH by Dave Schwartz.

If you're serious about winning $s this is the one I would recomend.

TC

Could you share with us which ones you have evaluated in the recent years--maybe the last 5 years. It would be helpful to know the foundation for your strong recommendation. I have heard very strong endorsements for this program (and for HTR) but I am curious which programs fell short in comparision with real testing (and why). Thanks.

GR1@HTR
02-26-2003, 08:05 PM
PA, Nice selection on the Muther board. I went w/ the cheaper ATI Max last week. Got a good deal on it at Frys for $80...Thanks to Boris who recommended the place...What a zoo...Hopefully that will be the last time I go there for a while.

More on Mudderboard Rankings:
http://www.motherboards.org/rank/Intel/total/motherboard-rank.html

Dave Schwartz
02-26-2003, 08:56 PM
GR1,

Are you kidding (about Fry's)? I wish we had one closer than a 2-hr drive.

But I must admit that it is rather zoo-like.

Dave

hdcper
02-26-2003, 10:27 PM
Hi All,

Would like to bring to the attention of board posters that are looking for good horse software programs, that they take the time to look at the demo of Equisim and HTR. Both of these programs provide great tool sets and the ability to the future user to look at the program before making their decision.

Equisim can be found at thorotech.com

and

HTR at homebased2.com

I currently am using Equisim and am very satisfied with both the program and software developers support. Both programs provide fantastic service and like I said provide the opportunity to try the software upfront.

Take a look, it is worth the trip.

If you would like to discuss this by email, just drop me a line at hdcper@hotmail.com(identify the email as looking for software since most of my mail goes directly to junkmail).

Hope you find what you are looking for,

Bill

midnight
02-26-2003, 11:33 PM
Thanks for all the information.

MarylandPaul@HSH
02-26-2003, 11:50 PM
Since this thread seems to be a sort of informal poll on what we use and why we use it, let me cast my vote for HSH.

There are a handful of really good products out there, no question. What separates HSH, for me, is the fact that Dave looks at racing, and profiting from racing, in ways that I've never seen from other more "conventional" authors. It's a unique combination of piercing logic and mad science that invites it's users to approach the handicapping puzzle from a different direction.

With the really serious programs, I think you're buying the author as much as you're buying the code. I've owned Dave Schwartz for about a year now, and I'm happy with the arrangement <g>.

MP

midnight
02-27-2003, 02:01 AM
Thanks again for the information. I'm going to give HTR another go.

I looked at the sample sheets at Racingpicks.com, and the thing that turned me off the fastest was that their true odds lines add up to about 128%, or a bit more than the morning line odds do. True odds, imho, should add up to 100%. Otherwise, how do you accurately look for overlays? I'm sure the other information that they give is of some use, but their true odds line doesn't make sense.

Speed Figure
02-27-2003, 02:36 AM
Midnight, What type of program are you looking for? What do you want the program to do? Do you want to handicapp the races than have the program tell you the top contenders from your handicapping?

I don't have HSH, but i will tell all of you this, Dave Schwartz is a 1st class guy. I had the best time just talking to him. The man knows what he's doing and he's a :cool: guy.

David McKenzie
02-27-2003, 02:52 AM
Originally posted by speed figure
...I don't have HSH, but i will tell all of you this, Dave Schwartz is a 1st class guy. I had the best time just talking to him. The man knows what he's doing and he's a :cool: guy.

HSH is my primary handicapping weapon. I like it. The thing has lots of buttons.

I'd give a more glowing, in depth technical review, but I'm holding out for the commercial endorsement (tongue firmly planted in cheek). :p

JimG
02-27-2003, 11:45 AM
In my opinion, there is not one great program, but many good programs that depending on what you want out of software would be helpful to the player. Of the good programs I have enjoyed using over the years, I would check further into:

Equisim
Horse Street Handicapper
HTR
HTRF
Joe Zambuto Program
All-Ways
Capsheet

Jim

Depending on what you are looking for several of these or a combination of a couple may fit the bill. I would go to the various web sites to get more information.

CumberlandBluesHSH
02-27-2003, 11:58 AM
I'll cast another vote for HSH. A wide array of useful tools all in one package. Tons to learn - I've been using it since last spring and there are still some buttons that I have no idea what they do. But I've found all the one's I want and a few I didn't know I wanted until Dave gave 'em to me.

I've used All-Ways and Stealth previously - Stealth was solid but a bit too "black-box-ish" for my liking and All-Ways is a very good product but the data cost is absurd and it doesn't have the flexibility provided by HSH. Basically however you wanna go about your computer handicapping, HSH can help you do it.

rmania
02-27-2003, 01:11 PM
but...

considering the number posters lining up to sing the praises of there favorite program, I decided to throw this out for you guys to chew on :)

Here are some stats from last week at Santa Anita (2/20 - 2/23)

69% winners found in the top 3 of RaceMaker's fastest last-race
avg odds 5.30 to 1
top 3 lowest odds - 0.80, 1.70, 1.90
top 3 highest odds - 21.70, 10.10, 8.60
an equal win bet on the top 3 from each race produced a +ROI of 43%

These stats were compiled using default data created from daily downloads. No additional handicapping was performed.

jk3521
02-27-2003, 08:38 PM
Has anyone tried Pandolpho's "Diamond System" software and has there been any success with it ? Seems interesting.

midnight
02-28-2003, 04:39 PM
jk: I tried Diamond and wasn't impressed. Unless you want the program to select all the pacelines, it's very cumbersome to use, and the results weren't good for me. Like any software, I'm sure there are people who make money with it.

Topcat
03-04-2003, 08:26 PM
<<Could you share with us which ones you have evaluated in the recent years--maybe the last 5 years. It would be helpful to know the foundation for your strong recommendation. I have heard very strong endorsements for this program (and for HTR) but I am curious which programs fell short in comparision with real testing (and why). Thanks.>>


azmike:

Az,

The way I evaluated the programs was to take 200 races for the same date and test the programs. Bear in mind, that the files were not always the same but I tried to make sure the days were. If I couldn't get the same dates I controlled by making sure the samples had the same percentage of favorites winning and the same percentage of off track days.

I then ran the programs as if they were a black box, using the same rules for pace selection e.g. last race, and also letting the program pick (as AODDS and others can do) and compared the top two picks by % and ROI. While most of the software developers would tell you that you can't run them as a black box -my thinking was I wanted to start with the ones that started with better numbers-better than track take and random betting-the ones i paid attetnion to were those close to break even or better and high %.

I woudl test multiple factors for each program when they had multiple options. For example on AOdds I tested and tracked at least 4 of the more predicitve factors.

I checked the top two picks to try and get away from any anomalies in the small sample. A program might fool you with a couple of lucky hits on its top pick but usually it second pick will fall off. Those with he best top two-win% usually are more reliable over time.

I don't have my files and notes with me on this but there were some surprises-some pleasant and some unpleasant. I tested some of the better known names, e.g. ALL-In-One, Aplus, Focus's programs, MPH, HTRF, STK, TB IV, AODDS Gold, Silver, Winning At the Track, a Sartin program or two, many BRIS "free" programs, several ITS programs, and many others programs-some you may not have heard of.

I did not test a RECENT version of HTR and nor have I ever tested Equisim, Racemaker or Purdy’s Synergisim.

Having said all that the one I am sticking with is HSH.

Hope that helps.

TC

azmike
03-04-2003, 08:35 PM
Appreciate your response. Sounds like you were pretty thorough on the ones you tested.

tcat
03-05-2003, 11:09 AM
Perhaps you need to ask not only which programs do people like, but which ones are winning the most in all the tournaments. After in tournaments, everyone starts even. So then, who is taking home all the money and what tools are they using?

JimG
03-05-2003, 11:31 AM
Originally posted by tcat
Perhaps you need to ask not only which programs do people like, but which ones are winning the most in all the tournaments. After in tournaments, everyone starts even. So then, who is taking home all the money and what tools are they using?

If you read the Brisnet website, the answer would be their members. A number of tournament players/winners use the ultimate past performances in their play.

Of course, I know you are referring to HTR. And without question, HTR users have brought in some serious coin in tournaments and there are some really good handicappers, including yourself, that use the product.

However, wouldn't most of us agree that tournament play and day-to-day play is very different and what works out well in one may not work so well in another?

Jim

tcat
03-05-2003, 02:49 PM
Absolutely! Good point.

I am exotic player by inclination and rarely ever bet to win. So tournament play forces me to look at the races entirely different. In fact, it is not just win betting, it is longshot betting.

I think someday when this fad is over, there will be contests on the most wins(%), maybe someone will hold sprint or turf handicapping contests. Who knows? Anything that drives us crazy.

Tom
03-05-2003, 07:56 PM
I am primarily a win bettor, but I like doubles (win based) and exactas as an off-shoot of my pace analysis. I think playing the Pic4 contest may have dulled me a bit becasue I am getting too used to using a shotgun instead of a scope on a race. The inter-board challenge is going to force me go back to getting the right one horse on top.
I am going to go for a long, slow workout to get ready - two days off work next week and handicap and bet every single race on TVG, then no horses at all next Thrursday - just alcohol and pizza, and naps, to get rid of the stress. Then Friday is it, hopefully fresh and fit. If that doesn't work, at least I had a good week <G>

midnight
03-08-2003, 05:24 PM
I have to admit that I'm impressed with HTR so far. It's not a magic carpet to riches, but nothing else is, either. Ken Massa has added a lot of bells and whistles to the software since I used it a long time ago. All of the DOS programs have been ported to a Windows interface, the adjusted times seem to be more accurate than they used to be, and the new ratings look useful.