| Times have changed and so has horse racing | | | | information hasn't changed much, just take a look at |
| handicapping. In order to find winners, years ago, we | | | | the numbers. |
| had to figure out everything using long math and long | | | | Years ago, when I first started trying to make sense |
| hours reading past performances. For instance, when | | | | of this game, the crowd's choice, the favorite, won |
| trying to figure out the pace scenario of a race, we'd | | | | about 30% of the time. Now, after all these |
| have to calculate the fractions the horse actually ran | | | | improvements and additions and all the marvelous new |
| by making adjustments using its beaten lengths at | | | | gadgets and computers the crowd is still picking about |
| each call. | | | | 30% winners. The only people making more money |
| Now we have software and computers to make | | | | from the horse races are the people selling information. |
| those figures readily available, including speed figures | | | | We are drowning in a sea of information and |
| that use sophisticated algorithms and track variants. Do | | | | everybody seems to be looking for the best system |
| you remember when Andy Beyer's Speed Figures | | | | to pick winners. Rather than trying to add more |
| first came on the scene? That seemed to change | | | | information and weighing which information is important |
| handicapping, but since everybody started using them, | | | | and which bits of data are relevant, why not get back |
| how much did any of us really benefit from that new | | | | to the basics? Horse racing handicapping hasn't really |
| idea? Now they are in most programs in some form | | | | changed since horses started racing against each |
| or another and anyone who buys a program sees | | | | other. It still comes down to speed and pace. |
| them. | | | | Common sense tells us that the best system is the |
| For that matter, how much has your win ratio or profit | | | | simplest and easiest to use. Complicated systems |
| line changed based on all the new information that is | | | | may impress the user, but if you want to pick winners |
| available? If you are like most people, your own ability | | | | and make money, master the basics of true |
| may have improved a little over the years, but all the | | | | handicapping with something simple and proven, like |
| information hasn't really made you a better horse | | | | True Handicapping. |
| racing handicapper. If you don't think that all the | | | | |