Re TrackMaster Data Problems

[clore1030]

Originally Posted by Ted Craven

I am studying the effect of TrackMaster's data 'upgrade' on our programs. I am still suspicious of whether the data we're getting is being adjusted in the same way it used to be - certainly it is not, in the case where you see lines with very low or negative Adjusted Speed Ratings.

I suggest proceeding with caution, or avoiding working the cards with adjusted data until I can discuss with TrackMaster (now they say their upgrade work is finished) what exactly they changed/upgraded about their data and how that might affect our particular adjustment formulas.

Ted

Are you looking for input on "evidence?"

If so, checkout the horse named Saratoga Lulaby (#4) in the second race at Belmont. The last two races, both in May on the same track, show negative numbers for the adjusted speed rating.

[Ted Craven]

Always looking for input, Charles!

Yes those 2 races show negative Adjusted SR due to some weird effect of applying the DTV and ITV adjustments (because they look more normal when you switch off those adjustments). I'm comparing what the horse's May 1 race looks like today with what it looked like when it ran on May 7. Same with a number of other situations on today's BEL card and other cards. This will help squeeze out what the issues are, plus conversations with TrackMaster...

Thanks!

Ted

[clore1030]

Originally Posted by Ted Craven

Always looking for input, Charles!

Yes those 2 races show negative Adjusted SR due to some weird effect of applying the DTV and ITV adjustments (because they look more normal when you switch off those adjustments). I'm comparing what the horse's May 1 race looks like today with what it looked like when it ran on May 7. Same with a number of other situations on today's BEL card and other cards. This will help squeeze out what the issues are, plus conversations with TrackMaster...

Thanks!

Ted

Found another in BEL race three

Horse number 6 has a negative in its last race, and an SR of 10 going back five races to March 25.

[Tim Y]

Originally Posted by clore1030

Found another in BEL race three

Horse number 6 has a negative in its last race, and an SR of 10 going back five races to March 25.

the "fixed data" is as useless as the wrong data with speed ratings in the single digits and 4f pace times modified to 53 and change

[clore1030]

Originally Posted by Tim Y

the "fixed data" is as useless as the wrong data with speed ratings in the single digits and 4f pace times modified to 53 and change

I really think that those who are not on a pay-as-you-go plan shouldn't be charged. Since I only play one track, I have the 20 races for 30 bucks plan, but I'll get charged the 30 bucks even if I don't download a single card.

Why should anyone be charged for bad data? Getting erroneous info was not part of the deal when I signed up, and while I understand that there is always the possibility of timer malfunctions affecting race data, I don't expect that errors should find their way into the data through the massaging process.

Until it's resolved, I'm doing them a favor by reporting the erroneous stuff as it should help them solve the problem. I give them until tomorrow, then I'm going to change my subscription plan until I read that the problems have been solved 100%.

I may even dispute the charges when the credit card bill shows up, I may not win, but it should show them that I'm POed and right now, that's good enough.

[Ted Craven]

Here's what I know, and I think it's the right answer:

It looks like Trackmaster indeed updated the data files for May 20 and forward to include all the missing Equibase SR figures. However, a good minority of the Past Performance lines (across many tracks and races) have a bogus value in them under the surface which all Sartin TrackMaster download programs use to determine the Inter Track Variant (ITV). This bogus value causes the ITV adjustment to be wildly high and distorts all call times for those particular races - making those particular races unusable for handicapping

I have reported all this to TrackMaster tech guys just now, with supporting documentation, and am waiting for discussions. I suggested they need to rerun the data cards for today and forward after fixing this remaining bogus ITV-related data.

I also think, so far, that all the rest of the data is correct and usable. Aside from those 'bad' lines (i.e. where the Adjusted SR is very low or negative), if you have downloaded a race card and can work it from other 'good' PP lines, likely you can do so with confidence. If you haven't downloaded a card yet, I suggest waiting until this issue is finally resolved.

I'll continue to report here what I know.

Ted

[Ted Craven]

Originally Posted by clore1030

I really think that those who are not on a pay-as-you-go plan shouldn't be charged. Since I only play one track, I have the 20 races for 30 bucks plan, but I'll get charged the 30 bucks even if I don't download a single card.

Why should anyone be charged for bad data? Getting erroneous info was not part of the deal when I signed up, and while I understand that there is always the possibility of timer malfunctions affecting race data, I don't expect that errors should find their way into the data through the massaging process.

Until it's resolved, I'm doing them a favor by reporting the erroneous stuff as it should help them solve the problem. I give them until tomorrow, then I'm going to change my subscription plan until I read that the problems have been solved 100%.

I may even dispute the charges when the credit card bill shows up, I may not win, but it should show them that I'm POed and right now, that's good enough.

Charles,

As stated earlier in this thread (post #1, I think), you should definitely email TrackMaster and request a refund for the unusable cards you downloaded. They've already issued refunds to several who have written. There should be no trouble with having to dispute any credit card billings, I think (but I'll intervene if it ever comes to that). I also think you should definitely request a few day extension of when the 20 cards for $30/monthly rebills to cover these couple of days where you could not download reliable data.

I'll also discuss this time extension idea with them as a pro-active billing policy, to cover this 'debacle'.

Sorry this had to happen, but we're just now int he midst of trying to fix it, so let's see how it plays out - and how quickly...

Ted

[Tim Y]

this is getting to be a compete waste of time

[Tanico]

Hi, looks like I should have read this before I downloaded Belmont today...I was just looking and I see some negative speed ratings like you suggest was wrong. Thanks for keeping us up on this and I guess its user beware today at Belmont ..

[jms62]

Originally Posted by Tim Y

this is getting to be a compete waste of time

“Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”

It's broke as Ted has pointed out and you are right it is a waste of time so why not relax until Trackmaster fixes the problem... Use it as an opportunity to try the matchup