Handifast and his two brains [Archive] - Horse Racing Forum - PaceAdvantage.Com

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Handiman

08-22-2009, 12:26 AM

I have been playing Del Mar daily mostly for fun. But at the same time I have been thinking about programming too.

But today I had a pretty bad day and other than having a blood test, spent most all day in bed. But got up this evening to eat and thought I'd check out how I would have done at DM.

To be honest and not very modest :blush:, one half of my brain is pretty smart. I've taught myself to program in a couple of languages and math calculations come fairly easily to me. I also have taught myself to build websites. So I feel pretty good about myself as a whole. :jump:

Now for the other half of my brain, I believe it maybe dumb as dirt! That may actually be an understatement. Doug has come up with a very cool program, with which I was able to add some extra usability. But when it comes to handicapping with it, I might as well be wearing a diaper and eating pablum. I have hit some very nice paying horses as I have posted previously. But overall, I am in the special needs class.

Today, using Handifast and looking at just the FAST column in the 6th race, the top horses were 5 and 9 I believe with tied number. The 9 went off at 49-1 and won paying over $100. And in another race the top fast horse paid $10.40 I think it was. But then, using the point ranking's horses I would have missed those two winners but hit a couple others that paid much less. So what this long diatribe is really about is me crying out for help on how to best use this great program! :bang:

So please chime in and tell me if you don't mind, how you are best using this very expensive program? Because my left and right brain seem to be at war and no one is winning!

Handi :)

Hoofless_Wonder

08-22-2009, 12:49 AM

Hi Handi - hope you feel better.

I've only used this "expensive" tool on a couple of cards each at Saratoga, Ellis Park, and Del Mar. The races I find it useful are the ones with lower-priced claimers with well established form, where the majority of the field has their recent efforts at or near the same distance and surface as the race today. Then, if both the Handi and Chrome portions of the tool point to similar horses, they're usually in the mix. Finally, now that it's narrowed down to 2, 3 or 4 horses in the field, I let the tote board make my final selections and play the horses with the longest odds.

When I handicap a race of claimers like this, I usually only have a couple I can toss with confidence, and then I might as well throw darts to come up with the ones to play. So the "Handi-Chrome" angle, with proper odds, can make the race playable.

I missed the 9 horse in the sixth today at Del Mar - but had a win/place bet on the runner up (#10) at 8-1. D'oh!

Thanks for your contribution to the tools! Hopefully I can come up with an angle to achieve positive ROI....

AAcoolguy

08-22-2009, 12:53 AM

How long have we been using FAST/Handifast? I have read other threads here on PA about some programs having a learning curve of months or years! You will develope a sense of what works best over time I'm sure.
As for how I'm using it, right now I am trying to incorporate the FAST number into another method for odds line making. I have been bouncing around using both programs and won some and lost more, so I have stopped betting except for one race a day. I know the FAST numbers are good and if I can stay focused on one method for longer than a couple of days I can build a great method around them.
That being said, I have asked Doug about how many lengths per FAST point. I know he's very busy and am still waiting patiently for his reply. I know you figure things a little different, do you have any idea how many FAST points per length in your calculations? Ok so keep at it!

douglasw32

08-22-2009, 09:21 AM

Handi I feel your pain.

This is what works for me in just about every race... Not saying I make the correct choice at the window with my money, but if I want to look like the "Wizard" in front of all of the boys at OTB then this is golden, :lol:

I open the Summary

(whatever one I have currently tweaked, of course I play NY tracks not Cali so not sure if that might be the difference, and I am done tweaking unless I am looking to be dicorced soon, and I am not .. so that should make this part easier)

I mostly do all of this ahead of time so I need to repeat it if there is a scratch, I usually hit the hoighest purse of the day as my main race.

I am still torn as to betting Ray's exacta maker with 3 horses, dutching two to win (both of these require you to be at the post and I usually need to bet in advance) so what I usually do is bet 1 horse to Win/Place sometimes Win with an exacta as a place bet.

So anyway back to what I started to explain.

I look at the summary, start with the top 2... look at the race shape, using the running style, earlsy speed pints and the AVP (pace of the horses style)

If I have a bunch of close avp's with 6 or 7 early points and some e/p's with 5 or 6 etc, I look for the P or S horse to get the job done.

I look closely at the SP3/SP2/SP1 and make sure that a BAD turf or AW race is not throwing the total into chaos. making the 5th or 6th ranked FAST total usable.

I pop open your program, and I start sorting.

Left to Right...

Anyone that is top Ranked, that I did not consider (not one of my top 4 on the summary) I go back and take another look at.

Any that I do settle on , I really need to sort to the top 2 ro 3 (watch for ties) in the SP3/SP2 or SP1 areas, looking only at the same Surface for comparison, turf-aw, etc when possible.

Now after doing all that I will have a few horses that I know are going to be there. and probably the same 3 that LITFIN has in the DRF.

Thing is I will have a "Feel" for what I am about to see happen and can make a better wager than just looking at the consensus.

Now if the "Feel" I have, is only mentioned once in the NY post selections, or no where at all and is going off at odds way above what I would expect.

I usually back off the bet, only to watch it win and pay double digits :blush:

To the point where most of the people who I know and talk to ask me who I like, and wait for me to change my mind, then bet the original one I liked. They are all doing ery well with this angle....

As for how many points per... it is not really possible with the handi part since the ranking is based on giving weight to the figures.

but in the summary, I would hazard a guess... it is 3 pts/per if every horse is in good form, runnign on a surface they have all ran on int he last race, going a distance they have all run before and are all over 3, not for sale and have won more then 2 or 3 races... hard to say since it is based on some pretty big form angles.

douglasw32

08-22-2009, 10:14 AM

zgplp

08-22-2009, 02:23 PM

Handi,

I guess we all have our up and down days using this software but my down days are caused by my own lack of discipline and overbetting...I am smart enough to know that there is no Holy Grail for Handicapping... I am a an avid sheet player with good results and this program comes real close

My best days are when I follow these rules...and sit on my hands

Don'ts:

1. I do not play cheap tracks

2. I stay away from short fields

3. I do not play any race where this is no value

Do's:

1. I look for big fields

2. I compare the summary report top 4 with the Handi Top 4...if these match up it is usually on the money....but will still do a sort using Handi to see if there is a horse that may need to be included/eliminated

3. If they do not match up then I sort with Handi and look at the surface, Jockey, Trainer, etc. and see which horses I should add/eliminate from the top 4 between the two programs.

4. I then look at the Daily Racing Form for my own peace of mind...Haha

I only play exotics...again If there is no value I will pass, if there is value then I play...with my betting style the only way I can make money is have the favorite run second or off the board totally

believe it or not my favorite play is the super Hi5, Calder, DelMar, AP, Laurel to name a couple...the return for the investment is great and I have been able to hit a couple of very nice ones with this program... including yesterdays at AP

I don't think I would be willing to handicap for a living but I am still in the plus column for the year which makes this a very enjoyable hobby...Doug has done a great job with software and your sorting tool is a very valuable asset...Thank You both!

Regarding your health, take 10 minutes and Google Dr. Dean Ornish many hospitals across the country offer his program...my cardiologist turned me on to it 8 years ago and I have never felt better...Best Regards Z

dartman51

08-22-2009, 02:30 PM

AAcoolguy

08-22-2009, 02:36 PM

As for how many points per... it is not really possible with the handi part since the ranking is based on giving weight to the figures.

but in the summary, I would hazard a guess... it is 3 pts/per if every horse is in good form, runnign on a surface they have all ran on int he last race, going a distance they have all run before and are all over 3, not for sale and have won more then 2 or 3 races... hard to say since it is based on some pretty big form angles.

That should be good enough to get me in the ball park, I can adjust as needed. I am really going to try to focus on the odds line and stop betting too many races, discipline, discipline!:ThmbUp:;)

dartman51

08-22-2009, 02:44 PM

I also like Milwaukee Appeal and Wynning Ride. Milwaukee Appeal has the BEST SR at the DIST, although it was @ WO, an AW track. Wynning Ride is an improving horse, and could get a piece of the action. If you're looking for a PRICE to fill in the TRI or SUPER, you might want to use the 1 Sweet And Flawless as he will be comming Late. :ThmbUp:

douglasw32

08-22-2009, 10:01 PM

Fo instance...

Alabama Stakes, Saratoga, Sunday the 22nd

MILWAUKEE APPEAL <- Top Handi Rank.
CARELESS JEWEL <- Top Summary Rank.
I would take a shot that the Race Shape (As I see it) and the Pace going 10F would be more friendly to a lesser ranked contender.
WYNNING RIDE. Ranked 3rd on summary, 4th on Handi

I agree with Dartmans rules, that is exactly how I see it.

Handi, this was a perfect example of me trying to out think the sheet !

It is not the program as you have said, it is the user...I know it was an ugly race, but still my whole thought on the pace was wrong, or went wrong?

Once Be fair took the lead and the top 2 layed right off it was over =)

In this case the exacta box and a $30.00 payoff was a better wager than my Win/Place.

It is "at the windows" handicapping...that kills us, not the handicapping done by the program. I bet this on the way back at a western OTB in buffalo only to have to hear about how stupid I am for the next 3 hours home =)

from the "Brain" behind the program in the passengers seat.
:(

douglasw32

08-23-2009, 11:07 PM

Handiman

08-25-2009, 01:12 AM

Update....

My programming is going to be quite slow for a while. Went to the Dr. today and the results weren't good. My heart is getting weaker.....and now it is not beating correctly. One side beats and then the other side beats. My new valve is leaking too. But that is not too bad says the dr.

I go for an angiogram in a week and a half and the doc hopes they will be able to see what is causing my heart to enlarge and not beat in sync. If they can't stop the weakening the future looks a bit dim.

I will be sleeping a lot and programming some. We'll just have to wait and see what happens.

Handi :)

AAcoolguy

08-25-2009, 03:42 AM

My thoughts are with you Handi. :ThmbUp:

dartman51

08-25-2009, 08:38 AM

After a bad day at sar that was completely turned around with one key wager late at del mar, I found the energy to make sure that a card of fts and a sloppy track will hopefully not burry me in the future.

An update is a comin' =)

I hope you are talking about the 10th @ DMR. Handi's program had the 6 at 6-1 fair odds, went off at 29-1 and paid $61.60 to win. Also had the exacta and tri, with the 6 over the other 3 of it's top 4 picks. I played the exacta but unfortunately not the tri. :jump:

dartman51

08-25-2009, 08:42 AM

headhawg

08-25-2009, 08:51 AM

Best wishes, Handi. Take care of yourself first. so just take it easy. If there are things that out there that you need/want to be done with Handifast let me know. I would be happy to make some more contributions, time permitting.

Maxspa

08-25-2009, 10:56 AM

Handi,
I'm doing what I do best to combat the doctor's evaluation! I haven't tried your program but have followed the dialogue. You certainly are an unselfish giver of your time and expertise! If the racing community and this country were filled with people who had your values, it would be a better place!
Maxspa

Jeff P

08-25-2009, 11:16 AM

Handi,

My prayers and best wishes go out to you. Hang in there man.

-jp

.

Vinnie

08-25-2009, 11:23 AM

Dear Handiman:

You are a wonderful and sincere person and you have been totally unselfish in every respect in sharing yourself and your program with all of us. :) Between yourself and Doug it is an incredible body of work that you have created in the Handifast program.

You are in my families and my prayers for a swift and full recovery.

Take Good Care and God Bless you and your family.

All the BEST Always.

STABLEMATE

08-25-2009, 03:00 PM

Hey Handi, I’ll be pulling for you to get better soon. Here’s some info that I think might be helpful.

Obviously you shouldn’t take anything without informing your doctor. I hope that your doc isn’t as close-minded as most MDs, and not just a big Pharma drug peddler. Anyway I hope this info will be useful:

Heart disease: Dr. Dach link: http://www.drdach.com/wst_page7.htm

The following article extract is by Suzy Cohen, RPh:

“The most commonly recognized supplemental form of CoQ10 has been known as "ubiquinone" or "coenzyme Q10" Now, there’s a pure and BIO-IDENTICAL form of the nutrient. It is called ubiquinol, and it's the downline metabolite of CoQ10. In other words, it's the biologically ACTIVE version of CoQ10 so it's stronger, and it slips right into your cells. There is no need to worry about whether or not your body (and your gut) can convert the CoQ10 to it's active form (ubiquinol).

As you age, not only do you produce less CoQ10, but your body becomes less efficient at converting CoQ10 to the active form – Ubiquinol. Certain people have a real hard time converting the CoQ10 to ubiquinol, especially people with diabetes, GI problems, autoimmune disorders, and those with heart disease. So ubiquinol would be ideal for people who fit in this group.”

There are hundreds of medications which could be slowly stealing the life out of you. In fact, I wrote a book on the subject, called "Drug Muggers" and consider myself an expert on drug-nutrient depletion. I believe that when a drug steals a nutrient, you will develop a new symptom. You may not realize that your new symptom is related to a drug-nutrient depletion and so Drug Muggers could really save you money, save your health and extend the quality of your life. Please consider all the reasons why you might not be feeling as good as you used to, it's not always black and white, and based on some lab result. There Are Absurdly Inexpensive Way to Feel Better When it comes to your health, go with your intuition, and research the best you can. Wouldn't that be wonderful? If you knew what medicines were depleting a nutrient, you could quickly fix that deficiency and hopefully erase the symptoms that plague you (without having to resort to more and more pills). The following list of medications are those that can interfere with your heart-healthy nutrient, CoQ10 and therefore ubiquinol. Read the list and see if you're medicine is on it. I've tried to include as many international brand names as possible, but it helps if you know the "generic" name of your medicine. With many wishes for great health, here is the BIG LIST of:
Drug Muggers of CoQ10 and therefore, UBIQUINOL (http://www.dearpharmacist.com/DrugMuggersofCoQ10.html)“

If you’re on a statin drug it’s definitely depleting your CoQ10, so if your doctor hasn’t told you to take it, you should. Tell him you’re going to, of course, and if he tries to talk you out of it, he better give you a very good, justifiable, reason!

(I apologize for the lengthy "non-relevant" to software info, but I think it's justified in these circumstances. I have no financial interest in any supplements or other products.)

Mike

zgplp

08-25-2009, 03:50 PM

Handi

My prayers are with you and your family....forget programming and spend your time with the people closest to you

Nets

08-25-2009, 11:39 PM

God bless and all my prayers. Thanks for all you do for your fellow handicappers.

Gary

douglasw32

08-25-2009, 11:42 PM

Handi I hope you just pinned in behind some front runners and will be able to find a seam on the rail to get through at the finish.

You have made me rethink the time I spend working and have once again come home to hug my 4 children.

You are in my thoughts man...Never met you obviously but like so many others here I fell connected and I hope you can keep us posted.

PaceAdvantage

08-28-2009, 11:23 AM

Handiman,

We all hope and pray that this is a short-lived health setback and that the doctors are able to find a way to stop the weakening...

lamboguy

08-28-2009, 11:33 AM

i hope and pray for the best for you and your family

Handiman

08-28-2009, 03:54 PM

I can't thank you guys enough for all the kind words and well wishes. It's really helped my outlook knowing that I'm not alone.

I have my family thank God and they are wonderful but it fills a large hole when you know there are kind and caring people rooting for you.

Blood test Monday and then the old camera test up the groin on Thursday. May take my laptop so I can do some programming while they're doing the test :lol: I mean why waste the time just laying there doing nothing right?

Handi :)

keenang

08-28-2009, 07:34 PM

I am just getting over a bout with Colon Cancer and I think I have it whipped, and I know you can beat your problem.
You just got to have FAITH.
God Bless Geno

Handiman

08-31-2009, 01:20 PM

Best laid plans of mice and men....Didn't feel too good yesterday and so my wife wouldn't let me handicap live. So I did Mountaineer before they ran and just left the picks up on my computer on the notepad.

I checked them later before going to bed. Here's how I would have done using Handifast......I am now picking three horses and betting top two to win. The third horse backup in case of scratch in top two. I know there are better ways to bet, but betting is my weakest part of the game. Anyway here are the numbers.... missed the 1st two...needed that 3 in top two darnit.

Mountaineer 8-30-09

r1. 4-9-3 3 21.60
r2. sc-4-sc
r3. 1-4-7 4 6.80
r4. 5-8-3 5 5.40
r5. 4-1-9 1 4.60
r6. 4-7-5 7 5.00
r7. 2-5-1 5 4.40
r8. 1-8-3 1 3.80
r9. 7-4-2 7 8.20
r10.4-5-7 5 5.80

Best I've ever done strike wise and couldn't even play them live....:mad: There goes the little woman's Mink Coat.

Handi :)

AAcoolguy

09-01-2009, 01:20 AM

Thats good pickin! When you say you are betting the top two with the third as a back up, do you mean the top two of the four picks in Handifast?
Also what do you think you could have done to get your ROI higher? You pretty much would have broken even on that run at MNR. Maybe keeping track of the types of races or the point spread of the four choices. Just an idea, good luck and stay well.

fight

09-01-2009, 11:05 AM

use multi caps on 30th mnr youll be shocked the difference from handi selections and the multi caps results schcking for the better.gets 21.60 1st on top with ex 1-2 and much more.

fight

09-01-2009, 11:18 AM

thats right 8 top pick winners unreal

fight

09-01-2009, 11:46 AM

noe 12-20 top winners using multicaps. will post 01 results tommorrow.

fight

09-01-2009, 12:04 PM

21.60 2nd
out 0ut
6.80 2nd
5.40 2nd
out 4.60
5.00 out
4.40 out
3.80 out
8.20 out
5.80 out
out 17.60
out out
2nd out
out 13.20
4.60 out
out 2nd
2.40 out
2.20 out
4.00 out
2nd 15.40

Handiman

09-02-2009, 01:10 AM

Maybe I can clear something up here. I do not just take the top two program picks and bet them.

I run a race and do the scratches. Then I sort by fast to see what the top three to 4 horses are that show up. Then I look at the distance and surface. If route I sort by LP if sprint I sort by EP and see which horses are still in the top 3 or 4 rankings. Then look to see if they are in the top 4 points horses also. Usually one or two are there and those turn out to be my top two picks.

This is a tool!!!! I do not use it as a black box. If there is an 11 furlong race for instance, I will take the top LP horses over early runners in the top 4 points horses and make those my selections. Some times the LP or EP horses are the top 4 ranked horses anyway and that just makes the decision easier.

While the program does a great job, I like to use my brain too...the part that works anyway.

Handi :)

AAcoolguy

09-02-2009, 04:28 AM

that answers my question, thanks. I like to hear how the creators use the program. When FAST first started I was using it similarly to how you describe your use of Handifast. I would take the top few FAST horses depending on the amount of horses in the race and find the one or two that had the top EP and LP figuring that they would be the horses that would be around at the end.

Handiman

09-10-2009, 10:12 PM

Since I am using part of my brain tonight for more than separating my ears, for you live computer players, how many tracks can you play at one time. Say you were prone to use Handifast....would you play 2 tracks at once...3, 4 or maybe 5?

I need to know as I am doing some work on Handifast right now and trying to make some nice changes. But I need some input so as not to waste a lot of time on needless stuff.

Handi :)

headhawg

09-10-2009, 10:55 PM

On a day when I'm really playing and not futzing around, five or six seems about right. I stay away from certain kinds of races so having a larger number of races to choose from suits the way that I play. Having the ability to switch back and forth between races/tracks is helpful as I handicap on the fly.