HANA Track Ratings

[DeanT]

Over the next two weeks or so HANA will be releasing their top 20 tracks, as well as a full listing of 65 tracks that were rated. For information on the methods and so on, please click here.

http://blog.horseplayersassociation.org/2009/01/1st-annual-hana-track-ratings-preview.html

We have had a great response from the tracks themselves and hope players and the tracks can learn a bit more about each other; and players especially can use it as a resource.

Thanks for reading.

[LottaKash]

It should be interesting to see the data...I am very curious...:jump:

best,

[OverlayHunter]

I've always been aware that disparities exist in the amount of takeout. I'm embarrassed to say I wasn't aware it was so great. Thanks for the eye-opener and all else that you do.

Since handle size can have a profound effect onthe returns of those who are substantially more than $2 bettors, I'm assuming that handle size was not made a consideration so as to encourage handle at highly-rated, low-handle tracks (assuming such a combination exists). Is that correct?

[DeanT]

Hi Overlay,

No handle size was not considered.

As stated in the article, size of bettor is not considered in two ways: Rebates and handle size. No doubt someone betting $100 win bets would not like some of the tracks rated well because of pool size, and some of the tracks rated high might/might not give rebates that effectively lower takeout. Right now only a couple ADW's offer rebates to all players and they are not offered everywhere. This ratings system is for your average player looking for value for their bet. Value has been determined with bet choice, takeout and field size.

We toyed with the idea of adding a couple more things, but will save that for another day. We hope to do more, including perhaps surveys and so on for next year.

I think everyone will enjoy the write ups when we hit the top ten. So far the tracks have been stoked to chat about what they are doing, and what they are planning for 2009 in terms of player help and promos, so some of the qualitative things will be touched on in the articles.

[MNslappy]

Really looking forward to seeing this!

[DeanT]

http://www.drf.com/images/DED.gif

Delta is Number 20. Not super on the takeout score, but decent field size and bets.

http://blog.horseplayersassociation.org/2009/01/hana-track-ratings-20-delta-downs.html

[banacek]

Really looking forward to seeing this!

Me too! This will be quite useful.

One picky point, it says "It is important to note that these tracks are rated by the algorithm below - this is not subjective."

It is still subjective because the design of algorithm itself is subjective.

[DeanT]

Yep. But the point is no one used personal preferences on horse or jockey colonies, or food service, or on track customer service or things like that. Just the numbers.

[DeanT]

BTW, glad I can read a spreadsheet.... not. Delta is not number 20! :bang:

[Cangamble]

I added a link to Racetrack Weather forecasts.
They have 63 tracks on the list. I think we rated 65. Too lazy to find out what is missing on Equidaily's list:
http://www.equidaily.com/bestbet/weather.html

[DeanT]

After learning how to read the spreadsheet, Sam Houston is #20.

It is tied with 21 (Indiana Downs) but field size is our tiebreaker.

http://blog.horseplayersassociation.org/2009/01/hana-track-ratings-20-sam-houston_23.html

19 to follow. Hint, Jeff Platt once told us it was a good track to play. I followed his advice, played a few races, lost them all. So with that large sample size I have not played it again. Horseplayers are finnicky :)

http://www.race-track.info/images/tracks/sam-houston-race-park.jpg

[Cangamble]

I think we should put a Join Hana link with every new post as we go from 20-1.

[DeanT]

#19 Sunland Park

http://www.sunland-park.com/images/content/about.jpg

I am playing this today, just because of the comment about the wind, and it is number 19 :)

http://blog.horseplayersassociation.org/2009/01/hana-track-ratings-19-sunland-park.html

[jballscalls]

is there a place that the entire list is posted?

[DeanT]

JB,

Full list will be out in the second week of February and posted on HANA's website. 20 to 1 is being counted down. 1 through 10 will have feature articles on each track.

[jballscalls]

JB,

Full list will be out in the second week of February and posted on HANA's website. 20 to 1 is being counted down. 1 through 10 will have feature articles on each track.

ok cool thanks

[DeanT]

We're down to #15 now on the blog. Thanks for the interest everyone. We are getting tons of visits and new signups too.

#15 - Gulfstream

http://blog.horseplayersassociation.org/2009/01/hana-track-ratings-15-gulfstream-park.html

[JustRalph]

Next up for hana. rating Horse Racing sites on the Internet ?

Btw, Bought a Bumper sticker today......... any other products on the horizon?

[BillW]

Next up for hana. rating Horse Racing sites on the Internet ?


Do we have a volunteer? :cool:

[miesque]

I hope our members are will find these ratings as interesting and informative as I have and will use the full rankings that will be posted on the HANA site with the components broken out as a helpful tool. My main hope is that these rankings will increase the focus and attention being paid to takeout rates throughout the industry.

Next up for hana. rating Horse Racing sites on the Internet ?

Btw, Bought a Bumper sticker today......... any other products on the horizon?

Thanks for the support, every bit counts! :ThmbUp:

We don't have any specific products on the horizon, do you have any suggestions? We are always open to at least hearing any sort of fund raising endeavors, be it a new swag product or activity. On a related note, I can report that the boxer short sales have been 100% in line with my projections. :D

[JustRalph]

Do we have a volunteer? :cool:

you don't want to hear what I think of some of them......we want Hana to suceed..........not be sued..... :lol:

Let's just say, priority one is "easy to read" and not many qualify.........somehow somebody decided a copy of the Drudge Report was a good idea......... :bang:

[JustRalph]

We don't have any specific products on the horizon, do you have any suggestions? We are always open to at least hearing any sort of fund raising endeavors, be it a new swag product or activity.

I will start racking my brain...........


somebody needs to get Bob Baffert a pair of those shorts............then get a picture of him in them..........

[rrbauer]

somebody needs to get Bob Baffert a pair of those shorts............then get a picture of him in them..........

That's it! A 2009 calendar with trainers wearing HANA gear. :lol:

[DeanT]

Damn HANA ratings. Because of them I am now a regular at Sunland Park. I need to play another track like a hole in the head.

Thanks Bill W. Your ratings are going to turn me into (more) of a degenerate gambler!

[BillW]

Thanks Bill W.
... and chickenhead! :jump:

[DeanT]

I forgot.

Chickenhead you are a big weenie too. Damn both of you :)

[Indulto]

I remember track ratings being Rooks's idea, originally. Has he provided any input to either the rating process or the data itself? Do the results match his own conclusions? :ThmbUp:

[turfnsport]

Great idea on the ratings and revealing one a day is a nice touch as well..it will be good for traffic on the site.

However, does any ADW even take Fonner Park? Seems kind of silly to have a track rated in the top twenty that the vast majority of the U.S. can't wager on. At least I don't recall seeing it at TW or PTC, maybe I'm wrong.

I would think signal and wagering availability should be part of the ratings.

And for MAGNA tracks I think you should round the numbers down, like the stock :lol:

[DeanT]

When Bill ran the spreadsheet and I was looking at the top twenty for the website I said "where the hell is Fonner Park?" :)

This is truly a dispassionate list. Nothing fudged, no opinion. Just hard numbers, and I think Fonner being ranked proved that. BTW, if you are ever in Nebraska they have good win takeouts - tied for the best in NA :)

Indy,

Rook is the father if HANA track ratings. Bill W crunched the numbers. He knows how to use a spreadsheet. He kicks everyone's asses in that.

[DeanT]

#11 up with quotes from our very own Rich Bauer.
http://www.tampabaydowns.com/images/sub_hdr_logo.jpg

#12 Fair Grounds

#13 and #14 are Cali tracks.

Top ten to come.

http://blog.horseplayersassociation.org/

[rrbauer]

#11 up with quotes from our very own Rich Bauer.
http://www.tampabaydowns.com/images/sub_hdr_logo.jpg

#12 Fair Grounds

#13 and #14 are Cali tracks.

Top ten to come.

http://blog.horseplayersassociation.org/

I know two things about Tampa. They deserve our business and Peter Berube, the head guy there, will be gunning for a top-ten appearance come next year!

[Charlie D]

Shouldn't the tracks that make thier product freely available recieve Xtra credit

ie: ADW/Signal availability, Live streaming, free replays


Just a thought

[BillW]

Shouldn't the tracks that make thier product freely available recieve Xtra credit

ie: ADW/Signal availability, Live streaming, free replays


Just a thought

The ratings will add other elements as we go forward, including those you suggest. :)

[DeanT]

Thanks to everyone who helped with this. And thanks for reading. Seriously. It was a lot of work but worthwhile and we appreciate the feedback and support everyone at Pace has given the group, and this project.

Track ratings epilogue piece and why we undertook the task I guess is stated best with a line in it: "‘Satisfied horseplayers’ should not be an oxymoron, it should be a mantra. The long-term success of our game demands it."


http://blog.horseplayersassociation.org/2009/02/prologue-track-ratings.html

[Greyfox]

Thanks to everyone who helped with this. And thanks for reading. Seriously. It was a lot of work.

http://blog.horseplayersassociation.org/2009/02/prologue-track-ratings.html

:ThmbUp: Agreed. A lot of work. :ThmbUp:

[Cangamble]

New Nick Kling article, all about Hana and the ranking system:
http://www.troyrecord.com/articles/2009/02/14/sports/horseracing/doc49965a9e20652076198455.txt

[APguy]

Has the complete list been anounced yet? I have found the top 20 list, but I am very interested in where some of my favorite tracks that were not mentioned lie.

Also a complete list based out just field size, or takeout?

[DeanT]

Hopefully this week, or early next. Look for it on pace, or on the blog.

Criteria and system is here:

http://blog.horseplayersassociation.org/2009/01/1st-annual-hana-track-ratings-preview.html

[Murph]

The Anderson Herald Bulletin has a story in today about the Hoosier Park rating from HANA. The local writer seems happy for a chance to promote the opening of harness racing season. I will guess he is also happy to have anything positive to report on the local racing scene. It is always nice to have a leg up on the other track in the state at any rate.

Thanks to all at HANA for giving the entire industry a boost with some upbeat news for all of us to discuss. Keep up the good work!

Murph

http://www.theheraldbulletin.com/sports/local_story_047234030.html?keyword=secondarystory

[Thomas Roulston]

How can Keeneland be #1 on anybody's list?

[rrbauer]

How can Keeneland be #1 on anybody's list?


Why don't you publish your criteria for ranking tracks, then rank the tracks, then publish the rankings. Maybe we will all learn something.

[PaceAdvantage]

How can Keeneland be #1 on anybody's list?With the exception of the surface, what else is there to argue?

They're innovative, they're in the middle of beautiful horse country, they are fan friendly/responsive, and they attract a younger crowd.

[Hajck Hillstrom]

How can Keeneland be #1 on anybody's list?How could it not?

[GMB@BP]

I know the full list of tracks are not out but is there a spreadsheet that lists all the tracks and how they did in each category so you can sort them, heck even view them side by side would suffice?

[BillW]

I know the full list of tracks are not out but is there a spreadsheet that lists all the tracks and how they did in each category so you can sort them, heck even view them side by side would suffice?

We (or at least I!) envision a display that is sortable by all data columns for V2 coming soon. Note that it is easy for me to "envision" things as I don't have to allocate the time to do the coding. :p

[FantasticDan]

Has the complete list been anounced yet? I have found the top 20 list, but I am very interested in where some of my favorite tracks that were not mentioned lie.

Did the complete list ever come out? I'm looking on the HANA blog but not finding it.. the blog is playing havoc with my browser, so if someone could provide me a direct link, I'd appreciate it. Thanks!

[DeanT]

Been so busy that we have not gotten it up yet. I was going to do it last week and then I got on an interview with a HANA member thing and worked on about another 40 things.

Blogger sometimes goes wonky I find. I hope the blog works for you. I am pretty sure we will have this prelim list up this week from 21-65. Then we have some other surprises for the full spreadsheet release on the player resource section of HANAweb. I have to keep those ideas secret or Bill W will come to Canada and hit me over the head with a Texas steak.