Getting Started/ Woodbine
 

Hi guys,

Just joined. This forum looks great!

I noticed there's a ton of good resources on the forum and in the Library. Any tips on where to start? I read Modern Pace Handicapping a few years ago but I'm pretty rusty and relatively new to the methodology. Any help would be appreciated. In the meantime I'll browse around.

Also, I'm from the GTA and I plan on playing Woodbine so shout out to the fellow Woodbine folks.

Cheers,

Nick :6: :6:

Nick, read anything and everything you can here.
The stuff here is what will turn you into a winner. My best advice is just read, then read, oh, and then read more on here

Thanks LateKick. That's my plan.

The key to the Sartin methodology is pace line selection. Start with the Paceline Manual in the Manuals section of the Library. Note the manual password in the sticky in that section.

Thanks Mike. I read that and the Matchup thread by the Hat. Good stuff so far. We'll see how well I can apply it...

Nick -

Greetings.....Since you are fairly new to it, I can recommend listening to a few of the seminars. I've listened to quite a few and believe the Las Vegas 1991 is one of the best. You can find it in the Audio Collection / Page 2 / Las Vegas '91.

Howard Sartin gives a nice long lecture at the beginning that explains what we're all about.

Regards,

Chuck

Welcome to the forum Nick.

Are you planning on using RDSS? I highly recommend it.

If you have any questions don't hesitate to ask.

Gil

Nick, I agree with Gil (Hoof 11) 100% on the RDSS recommendation.

I would also say that Gil and Ted would be your go to guys when it comes to Woodbine.

Welcome aboard!

Mike

Bienvenido nick!!!!

Ignacio t.

Nick,

Welcome! You're invited to Woodbine on Saturday May 9, Champions Lounge. My Mum's annual Woodbine Birthday party (81 this year)! Don't worry, it's a 'working' party (someone has to pay for it - LOL). We'll be using RDSS, the Matchup, and everything else we know - glad to show you anything you like. Gil said he might come, and anyone else who's in the neighbourhood: join us for the afternoon (sometimes there is cake ...).

I second the advice to delve into the Manuals and video/audio archives suggested - to get a sense of history of the Methodology and some concept about paceline selection for rating the horses against each other. Also - INVALUABLE - absorb the Match Up concepts described in the Hat Check Forum (give yourself some leisurely time), and follow along the working races weekly. RDSS has some very useful automated line selection strategies and Matchup assisting tools. Also, all the velocity, energy, deceleration and compounded factor calculations described by Brohamer and WAY more. Model keeping, toteboard analysis, Odds Line, etc, etc. All the mod cons.

BUT - I feel those who succeed in the long run get a good grasp of concept, which study of the historical material can help with, not just crunching numbers with software. Also asking questions. Then of course, understanding and developing a functional betting strategy, including passing. And MINDSET - focused intent, self-knowledge and self-control. Sense of humour helps as well (and proper spelling ;)).

All the best!

Ted

And The Pook, and Seven Furlongs !

I second that.

I would spend some time with the guys and gals in the Match Up Challenge Section, they're doing some brilliant work there.

I will definitely be at Woodbine on May 9th with Barb and Ted, drop in if you can make it. You can normally find me at Woodbine on Wednesday nights if you want to hang out and cap some races, but that doesn't kick off until May 27th.

Thanks all for replying and for the tips. Awesome forum!

Thanks Ted for the invite. If I can make it on May 9th I'll have a look for you guys in Champions.

Gil I haven't tried RDSS yet. The only 'software' I've used is the AllData spreadsheet (not sure if you're familiar with it) but I'd be willing to try out RDSS. Mainly used AllData because of the low cost (free). And I might take you up on capping some races on Wednesdays when it starts... if you have some patience for an amateur :D

Pook,Seven Furlongs, I didn't know you gentlemen were Woodbine guys??

Sounds like a Dream Team!

Mike

Oh yeah man. I'm 40 minutes north of Woodbine in horse farm country. Trainer Mark Casse sometimes keeps horses at the farm that borders the back of my property. I have been known to spend some time talking to a few of them about how things are going.;) I too will try to make it to the track on May 9. I have met Ted before, from the group, but nobody else.

Pook

Oh I forgot....Welcome Nick and good luck with your endeavours. There are a lot of nice positive type people here that you can learn from.

Pook

Oh man - I almost forgot: cigar (the P&C member, not the horse!). He lives just down the street from Woodbine (so to speak ...). Met him at a NHC qualifier at WO last summer - very nice guy (bought me a beer :)).

Ted

Ture North We Stand
 

I am starting to see a trend and it's located in the North. If I may chime in, I play WO primarily. I am no expert, however if I can be of help in any way, please let me know. I consider myself a student of the Matchup and RDSS.

Ted, as always thanks for the kind words. Looking forward to seeing you again and having a few cold ones. I plan on entering the contest again this summer. Pook and others, I hope we can connect sometimes during the summer.

Nick welcome!

Thats cool! Cigar and Seven Furlongs are both Woodbiners too! Be great to see a couple of my fellow matchers. Maybe at Teds Moms thing on May 9.

Pook

That's awesome, when i was a kid my parents owned a 100 acre hobby farm in northern Ontario, and i would spend my days feeding the neighbors horses apples. That was the beginning of my love for horses, there is nothing better than spending some time with a horse, i prefer them to people.

I know what you mean.

Cigar, looking forward to matching wits with you again this year ;) As I recall, we BOTH had enough long priced horses squarely in our sights to have finished MUCH better in that NHC Contest than we did - although you sure beat me by furlongs!

Now that I think of it, here are few other Woodbine specialists:

Mr Pagine (Jon L) - another fine handicapper, and generous fellow. From somewhere in the GTA (though I know he has a cottage up here in Muskoka). Also his dad, Brian. I think they're at the KY Derby this year, but I'll write him.

mlking (Mike W) - long time Validator and RDSS user (many luncheons and happy days at Woodbine and Saratoga over the years). Exotics specialist.

Barb C (my Mum) - has had the best teachers money can't buy and shares what she can privately with some folks!

Nick, feel free to Private Message any of these folks - who knows what will happen!

Also, folks who live in Southern Ontario don't necessarily focus only on Woodbine, just as folks elsewhere may choose to specialize here for whatever reasons (long season, predictable form cycles, unique surfaces). I recall that Bud Jones in years past focused deeply on Woodbine with his Matchup talents. Also Bill Lyster has been known to direct a few neurons towards the GWN (Great White North ...) No better Matchers - at any track - than these 2 SoCal gentlemen.

cheers,

Ted

Listening to Las Vegas '91 audio as recommended on this thread. Reading and re-reading the matchup section and the paceline manual. Lots of exciting stuff! Thanks everyone. Good to see so many GTA people too :)