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Welcome to the Sartin Methodology New members: introduce yourselves! Ask about how to get started, get pointers in the right direction.

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Old 12-19-2018, 08:29 AM   #1
AbqVic
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Greetings from Albuquerque

Hello everyone. I joined Pace and Cap about a week ago, and have been surfing around to orient myself to the forum. The knowledge and depth of experience comprehended here from reading the threads is truly amazing. All the posts reflect a genuine desire to help, and also contribute to advancing handicapping technique. I feel very grateful to have found the site, and privileged to be a member.

As to my own handicapping knowledge, it is effectively zero. However, I do have some experience from almost fifty years ago when I lived in Southern California. I lived about thirty minutes driving time from both Santa Anita and Hollywood Park. I spent about a year in the evenings trying to learn how to handicap by studying “Ainslie’s Complete Guide to Thoroughbred Racing.” I would go to the track on Saturdays. Needless to say, I wasn’t very successful, or I would still be doing it!

Of course the endeavor itself was challenging, but looking back, I think as a young man I was too emotionally weak to withstand the ignorant criticism of family and friends who warned me that “the races can’t be beat” and “they are a waste of time.” I knew better because I understood probability, and the concept of expected returns, but emotions can defy logic.

Since giving up on handicapping, I haven’t given racing any thought at all these past years. Until a few weeks ago, when for some unknown reason, it dawned on me that with the widespread availability of computing power, and the advent of the internet, thoroughbred racing must be very different than it used to be. I started searching for modern instruction books and that research led me to the name “Sartin Methodology,” and then to this site.

As Ted Craven posted in one of the threads, there are many approaches to handicapping, but they all converge eventually, if the student seeks improvement. I also noted myself that the Sartin Methodology has a very long and evolving history that presents obsolete and conflicting methodology to the new “wanna be” handicapper.

In the past, I always approached new learning projects by buying every book I could find, then reading them all, with the idea of becoming an expert, before I began the actual doing. That was a mistake. The shotgun approach was not very effective for me because I didn’t really own any of the concepts. I became familiar with them, and that is not good enough when you need to actually apply theoretical ideas. The weakness of the shotgun approach is probably especially true with handicapping. There is a wealth of knowledge here on this site, but so far it has led me to confusion because I cannot coherently organize it.

I believe what I need now is an anchor, something to orient and tie new knowledge onto as I learn it. So my plan now is to follow Bill V’s simple strategy for getting started by acquiring RDSS and reading Follow Ups #80 through #88. I want to establish a base line win percentage and ROI (even if negative) and hopefully improve from there.

Thank you all for supporting this fantastic forum.

Victor

PS: After reading the “Five Step Approach to the Match-Up,” I realized that it must have been written with a manual typewriter. The space bar and carriage return were apparently used to format it. To aid my own understanding, I reformatted it in MS Word, and then converted it back to PDF. I made no attempt to change the writing style or content, but the document did shorten considerably. It is attached here if anyone would like to use it.
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Old 12-19-2018, 10:03 AM   #2
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Welcome aboard Victor.


Learning Sartin material can be a daunting task especially considering "the obsolete and conflicting history of the methodology." That includes conflicting advice as each member travels their own path. Based on your post and understanding of that right off I believe you'll do well. Far too many want to know all the nuts and bolts but fail to grasp concept.


Your reading the correct Follow Ups as much of the writing in previous Follow Ups contain a lot of superseded data that no longer is relevant. Only a very experienced member can sort threw all that without becoming conflicted. They also contain much data on previous programs ( at least a dozen) that will not match the winner getting ability of the present RDSS program. Each program was an advancement. Even with the present day RDSS different people obtain different results due to varying beliefs as many cling to outdated concepts that Sartin had changed as time marched on and his research evolved.


Best of luck and again welcome .


Mitch44
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Old 12-19-2018, 11:22 AM   #3
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Welcome Victor. In addition to reading the follow ups may I suggest that you also watch the Docs 1998 1 on 1 video that is available in the library section. You will hear the Docs thoughts and revisions to his previous teachings. Who better to hear from then the guru himself. Good luck with the learning process and don't be afraid to ask questions. You will people here are willing to help.
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Old 12-19-2018, 02:52 PM   #4
AbqVic
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Thank you Mitch for reinforcing that I am on an effective path. There is a lot of work ahead, but I now know I won't be drowning in a swamp.

Thank you too Tim for suggesting the Doc's 1998 video. I will be sure to watch it soon.

Thank you both for welcoming me to this group. I am excited to begin what I hope will be a long journey.

Vic
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Old 12-20-2018, 08:27 AM   #5
mick
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Welcome, Vic.

ABQ is a fine old town, where the Rio Grande meets Route 66. We have family there. (I hope they've completed the construction work on Central. That was a major snarl.)

There are many fine people on this board and some outstanding players. To a person, they are generous with their knowledge and their time, so don't be afraid to ask. And if you're concerned about "dumb" questions, ask anyway. (Heaven knows, I've asked my share.) Invariably, someone will politely steer you in the right direction.

Warm regards and best wishes. And as our dear friend Bill V. always says, "Good skill."
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Old 12-20-2018, 08:47 AM   #6
AbqVic
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Good to meet you Mick, and thank you for welcoming me to this fascinating forum.

Yes, Central Avenue is finally finished. Still congested though. My wife and I have been here 12 years, moving from Northern CA. It's not perfect here, but overall a pretty good compromise compared to other locales we considered.

I do feel comfortable asking questions here. Just reading the posts you can sense that members are helpful and, as you say, generous with their knowledge and experience.

You, in particular, have already helped me with your Illustrated Glossary for RDSS. I already downloaded it, and just this morning made a payment to subscribe to the software. Anxious to start learning how it works.

Thanks also for wishing me "good skills." That's my goal!

Vic
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Old 12-20-2018, 11:15 AM   #7
Ted Craven
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Welcome Vic! I got you set up with RDSS. Very best wishes and enjoyment going forward.

I spent a few days in Albuquerque 23 years ago, while touring the southwest during a particularly cold Canadian winter. Aside from that, all I know about ABQ is from Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul

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Old 12-20-2018, 11:34 AM   #8
Bill V.
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Thanks

Welcome Vic

Good Skill to you, as you can see Pace and cap will always be right here for you. You have a great bunch of teachers here.

When I was a professional truck driver. I spent a lot of time crossing I 40.
I went through Albuquerque many times. One of my favorite trucks stops
was the Flying J just west of the I 40 and I 25 crossing
And then over at the Route 66 Casino

Anyway
Good Skill
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Old 12-20-2018, 12:48 PM   #9
AbqVic
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Ted,

Thank you so much for setting me up with RDSS2 so quickly!

Your third e-mail, which advised to start with the most recent concepts and work my way backwards as I gain experience, was pure gold. As I stated in my first post, getting buried trying to learn everything before taking action has been a problem for me. Your advice is the entry point I have been seeking.

I have not been this excited to start work on a project in many years. I've been neglecting my Handyman work around the house, and feel like a 6 year old kid that runs everywhere they go.

I am very grateful to you for this Kick Start.

Sincerely,
Vic
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Old 12-20-2018, 01:27 PM   #10
AbqVic
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Dear Bill,

It's so remarkable how many coincidences there are in life. From 1978 through 1984 I was a cross country trucker too. I lived near Oxnard CA and hauled produce from the West Coast growing areas to all the major East Coast cities. I was an independent owner operator and drove solo. As I look back, I am very proud that I could run from Escondido CA to Boston MA in 90 hours on a regular basis. That took some "endurance" and commitment.

Most of my working life I have been in the accounting/auditing field, but I paid for my truck and refrigerated trailer in four years without ever being late on a payment. I keep a framed copy of the purchase contract, with the PAID stamp on it, on the wall right next to my old CPA certificate.

I really admire you for founding this site and keeping it going all these years. I also notice how helpful you are to newbies.

Thank you,
Victor
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