software
 

What are the major differences in handicapping methodologies between the 4 major software out there (HTR, HSH, JCapper, RDSS).

Pino,

That would be interesting to know, from folks who have used more than 1 of them. I think you would have to also seriously include at least Black Magic (BLAM) and CJ's PaceFigures in your software list.

All I know is, HTR's Ken Massa worked with Tom Brohamer, who of course worked with Doc Sartin. BLAM's Michael Pizzola was also with Doc. HSH's Dave Schwartz credit's Doc's influence in setting him on a successful path.

So Doc Sartin has at least been influential in the formation of several modern respected and popular software methodologies. They have all subsequently evolved in their own ways.

Looking forward to comments.

Ted

gl45:
I am reasonably sure there are some that would not agree with your choices for the top 4 major softwares out there.
I've tried 3 out of the 4 you mentioned and if I had to make a choice, it would be HTR. However, I am not overly impressed with it. To me it's not worth the price you have to pay to maintain it.

In all fairness, I have not recently used RDSS but it appears to me that
it is much better then when I demo'd it some years ago.
Ted is making a great effort in making it better and better.
I believe that it's evolving into a formidable piece of work and
has numerous possiblities. I believe it's worth considering.

I have never used HSH so I can't pass comment on it's performance.
If your into additional seminars and ongoing education and can afford the price, this might be for you.

I have demo'd JCapper and it was just OK. possibly one may be successful with it if they want to devote an inordinate amount of time into it.
The learning curve is long and tedious.

I personally lean towards PaceAppraiser and Synergism. I've won a few contests with them. KGEN, Energy, Validator and EXDC are still very strong.

I guess it all depends on what type of player you are, what type of budget and how much time you have and what you are looking for.

Main difference
 

Hi Pino.

Whatever their differences HSH, HTR, and JCapper are more similar to each other than RDSS is to any of them, in that they're primarily research tools, allowing the user to search their databases to formulate their own angles and spot plays, while RDSS, which you already know, essentially focuses on the handicapping process itself.

Cheers,

lansdale

BJ,
That is what I was looking for. If I can quote " in that they're primarily research tools, allowing the user to search their databases to formulate their own angles and spot plays, while RDSS, which you already know, essentially focuses on the handicapping process itself."
That is where I lose the concept of the " handicapping process itself".
So, any software that search a database to formulate their own angles and spot plays they are not focusing on the handicapping process itself. I'm a bit obtuse and occasionally I do have some senior moments, so forgive me if I sound a bit debatable.
Thxs
gl

Researching ROI
 

Hi Pino,

The database gives one the chance to search the various factors for combinations that yield positive ROI. For example, you can do a search on 'Mott-trained 3yo fillies on the turf at 8.5 furlongs between 2003-2008', and the program will kick out the IV and ROI for that specific subset of horses. More importantly, you can test your own angles and spot plays over the relevant set of races and see what the ROI is. It also gives you the opportunity to build your own handicapping model, including all the factors you believe to be significant, and test it over various subsets of races.

The proprietors of the various databases also provide a certain amount of 'out-of-the-box' research, of handicapping factors that have already proven successful. In HTR, this is the 'K' factor, I believe, and with JCapper, it's the J Rating. These are inclusive 'overall' ratings of racing ability somewhat similar to TE or V/DC in nature. These can be used as platforms on which to build one's own handicapping model.

If you're interested, the entrepreneurs of these products have a great deal of material on their sites that you can read through. I would do that, and then ask them whatever questions you might have.

Cheers,

B Jennet

Thank you BJ.