Noob asking questions

[jgimbel60]

Hey everyone! I'm just getting back into handicapping after a huge layoff and pretty much starting from scratch. I have read Brohamer's book and a few other items on this site. That being said, I think I'm ready to start wading into the pool, so to speak.

I was curious if it's a good thing to just start with one track until I get my mind around things or if more than one is a good idea?

Also, I was thinking about creating my own database to look at trends, stats, etc. How far back should I go to get the information on a track? A full year? Less, more?

Should I get previous races from Equibase or DRF?

Thanks for the input to get me started. I appreciate it.

[Segwin]

Originally Posted by jgimbel60

I was curious if it's a good thing to just start with one track until I get my mind around things or if more than one is a good idea?

Welcome!

Starting with one track is a good idea. I would recommend PARX - Bill V. (who runs this board) only plays PARX and is a wealth of information for that track. This way should things go sideways Bill can assist. He is extremely helpful as well.

GL/GS!

[Ted Craven]

John, welcome!

I second Terry's suggestion abut one track to start, and second his (second) suggestion about Philadelphia Park (PRX) and because Bill V is such a resident expert on it.

You mentioned creating your own database to analyse facts and stats. I know you are a programmer and analyst and if you have the skills and tools, you could obtain say a season of Past Performance and Result Chart data files from TrackMaster, say for PRX. I know Bill V has such a database for PRX for 2013. The Result Chart files would easily import into something like Access or Excel or numerous other database apps for study and slicing and dicing.

If you get the RDSS format files, you can use them in RDSS for practice analysis. Just email me if you want more direction on this.

Another track with a nice long season is Woodbine.

Welcome back to the wonderful game - all the best!

Ted

[Bill V.]

Thanks for the compliments

I would like to add that along with keeping records from Parx or any year round track,
I find that its best to start out slowly.
If you try to keep track of too many factors you will soon see that too
much information will usually just cancel out other factors.

I suggest starting out just focus on the early and late match up factors
for each distance by male and female
If you keep track of this factor alone for a few weeks you will see the benefits
Once you start you then can start looking at other factors, but really
start out slowly for the best results

Bill

[atkinsrr]

If I might add something for jgimbel60: what everyone is saying about starting slow and taking your time is very true..but from a betting standpoint (hopefully you have a bankroll to start) I would start with paper bets to begin with and when the confidence level rises start off with $2.00 bets for a while and go from there. Don't get in a big hurry...the money will come, just take your time ...kinda like starting a new job...
Best of luck !!!!!!!!!

[Appy]

"start with paper bets to begin with and when the confidence level rises start off with $2.00 bets"

+ vote for what atkin said. It's a lot more fun to miss winners on paper than it is to hit a bunch of losers with your betting bank.