Computrak

[JJA]

(I am not sure my initial posting was transmitted so excuse me if this
show up twice)

It is nice to see a few people interacting. I hope it continues. I
was reading all the Postings on the Thorograph site for the Derby.
and thought it great if CT users would do the same.


I started using CT in 1994 , It was the initial version and came on
a floppy diskette. All the final times and fractional times, had
to be inputted manually. There were no Track Variants . or
normalization for the different tracks. In reading Ruben's theories
and talking to him , I decided that his ideas were something new and
different from all the other number crunching programs.

I started handicapping in 1974. I used the Racing Digest for TV's and
made my own speed figures. In 1990 I met Bob Beinish and Jon Hardoon
of the Ragozin sheets, and became an ardent believer in the
"figures". I also worked for Bob Selvin and Jeff Siegal of
Handicappers Report for 4 years . I had discussions on pace
handicapping with Tom Brohammer and actually had a small diskette
program that he developed based on his books.

Between 1994 and 1998 Rubin and I talked a few times about
Computrak and how to improve it.

In 1998, I moved to Santa Barbara and once I got settled I gave
Rubin a call told him I had moved. We got together at the local
satellite wagering facility. We became great friends and I became
the "beta tester" for Computrak.

At this point CT was able to download the data from BRIS .
and what was outputted was the "Extensive" version.
over the next year or so, the following outputs were added.
Normalization of figures from track to track,
The Boxer Number, The Magic Number, Improvement, and Form
calculations, as well as incorporating all the data available from
BRIS.
Trying to emulate the SHEETS as I explained the concept, Rubin
devised what is the called the Charts, a graph of the S and F.

I used to make my own odds line using Barry Meadows 1991 book "Money
Secrets at the Race Track" and gave my copy to Rube ( I think he
still has it). and the final output was produced the "Odds Line".
This also served a different purpose it gave the program a way to
actually make a selection.

I moved back to Los Angeles in 1998, My interest in Horse Racing
comes and goes now with how much time I can devote to it. My interest
these days is pretty casual.

There is just one thing I still wonder about. I wish I had a version
of CT that I could replace the BRIS Speed Figure (which is used to
normalize the Tracks and creates the day to day Track Variant ) with
one of my own or for example what would be the output if you could
input the Thorograph numbers ? Since it these numbers, are
universally accepted as the most accurate made (Sorry Ragozin), and
using all of Ruben's engineering concepts what would the out put be
like. ?

So Ruben if you are reading this, I would love to Beta test that
version.

JJA

[ronwar]

Hi JJA

Thanks! I mostly play my home tracks, Southern Cal., unless there is
a big day somewhere.
My tools of the trade have always been thorograph, todays racing
digest, and the form. I agree with you,
thorograph has the best numbers. What made me interested in in CT is
it seemed to incorporate some of the
same things thorograph does, and I love the odds line. If it was
possible to input TG numbers I think it would be awesome!

If you're ever headed to the track soon, I would love to buy you a
drink and discuss racing.

Thanks again for you input.
Ron