Mr. No Shoes,
This is a great thread that you started but I think that there are as many different thoughts as there were views, me included. I have enjoyed this game for close to 30 years and I've tried just about all of it from A to Z. I think you just have to go with what works best for your individual style of play after a lot of experience and work.
For me, being from Texas which is adjacent to Oklahoma, I am begining to pick up some "HAT" voodoo from across the big Red River. At times when I can get in the "Zone" and get the flow of the race going it is like something I've not experienced in my handicapping ever before. To get in this "Zone", upon reflection, I don't give too hoots and a holler about anything but fast horses, not recency, not off-tracks, not nothing, and this came from all of the Match-Up info from the masters of Match-Up, Mr. Hat and Mr. Richie. Now saying that, it's not easy to do always but you can train yourself to find that zone, I believe.
Shoeless, I enjoy your posts very much and know that this wasn't worth much but at least you know I don't always hide in the closet.
Good Capping to you and keep smiling,
Bud