Equibase, STATS Partner on Big Data Projects

[DeltaLover]

Another step towards the wrong direction:

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-raci...-data-projects

[Track Phantom]

I assume you have a reason for indicating this is "wrong"?

[DeltaLover]

Originally Posted by Valento

I assume you have a reason for indicating this is "wrong"?

What's your take?

[Tom]

Looks good to me?

[DeltaLover]

Originally Posted by Tom

Looks good to me?

Any particular reason?

[Track Phantom]

I'm a data geek. One of the reasons I like horse racing (and MLB handicapping/betting). Lots of data to help formulate an opinion.

I think it's great to find better, easier or different ways to use the data. On the downside, the easier the data is for everyone to access, understand and use, the less of an edge for those willing to spend the time to actually find an edge.

Having said that, the #1 issue horse racing has in attracting new (and, more importantly, sustaining) fans is how difficult it is to understand. Not sure this will resolve that problem but I'm for anything that reduces the intimidation factor most new fans have taking horse racing seriously.

I think the approach us diehards take to handicap today will need to change. Since the "clocker reports" have become more prominent, odds on horses working well have gone significantly down. There will be more overlays for runners who are with trainers who work them slow.

[cj]

We can't accurate timing of races, we have humans inputting data and making huge errors, but we're going to spend money for this first? Ok.

It sounds to me like they are just giving access to the database and going to allow queries, probably for a (steep?) fee. Many of us have been doing this for a long time.

[Robert Goren]

If enough people have access, then it would be useless for all bettors. Think of what happened when Beyer Speed Ratings became available. While it is true that the clever can make better use of the data than the not-quite-as clever, the amount the handle being bet by the clever will be most of the handle. That being said, almost everything today is being driven by big data and horse racing can not afford to be left behind. Data is exploding. It is has been said that 10 teenage girls with smart phones today is producing and accessing more data than the whole world did in 1990. It is a different world out there, that is for sure.

[whodoyoulike]

Is this similar to Dave Schwartz"s project?

"... How do we use it in ways that create value and visualize it in ways that are meaningful? You don't want to just have a fire hose of data coming at you that doesn't make any sense. Our systems allow you to filter the data, which is the centerpiece of our agreement with Equibase." ...

[Track Phantom]

I interpret this to be different than the "Beyer" situation. When Beyer figures were added, they became much less important because of the ease of access.

However, if there was a repository of data with the ability to filter in a myriad of different ways, it could be advantageous for the player who knew what type of filtering would be most illuminating.

For example, the more seasoned player might say "I'd like to know how this trainer did with rock bottom maiden claimers, 1st timers for this owner with any runner who cost $X amount or more" or something like that. A less sophisticated player may not even know to ask themselves that question and wouldn't be able to look at the data in a more meaningful way.

Almost every race, I have questions that I can't really answer. Formulator helps a lot but there are still quite a few questions that never really get answered. The hope is this would help in that process.

Who knows...probably won't. But, we can count on overcharging for it, that is for sure.

[Cratos]

The link below is a good read about what could possibly be a major step forward in the collection and distribution of horseracing data.


http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-raci...-data-projects

[Tom]

http://www.paceadvantage.com/forum/s...d.php?t=125048


I agree - sounds good to me. Can't hurt.