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TRACKPRO PC V1.0D COPYRIGHT (C) 1993 THE DREAMLOGIC SOFTWARE PUBLISHING GROUP A Professional Harness Racing Handicap System by "The Edge" TRACKPRO PC is a product of: The DreamLogic Software Publishing Group P.O. Box 75026 Bolton, Ontario Canada L7E 1H6 REGISTRATION TrackPro PC and all other products released by The DreamLogic Software Publishing Group are protected under both Canada copyright law and international treaty provisions. TrackPro PC V1.0D is the shareware distribution release of TrackPro PC. The shareware release is not "crippled" in any manner. The shareware release functions exactly like the registered version and retains all the features of the registered version. The only difference between the shareware release and the registered version is that the shareware release opens with a Title/Registration Screen that will remain on your display for a period of five minutes before you can begin handicapping. This time delay "feature" was deliberately built into the shareware release to encourage full time users to register. Additionally, as new features are added to TrackPro PC, they will likely appear in the registered version earlier than in an updated shareware release. You may use the shareware distribution disk for an evaluation period of 60 days. However, as with any shareware product, you are expected to register if you intend to keep a copy of this program beyond the evaluation period, even if it is only for occasional use. If you purchased TrackPro PC through a distributor of public domain or user-supported software, you did NOT pay for the registration. The fee you paid (normally less than $5.00 per disk) was to cover the costs of copying the disk(s), the media and handling overhead. You paid for the vendors service. The registration fee is $20 for addresses in Canada and the United States, and $30 for all other countries. For this, you will receive a copy of the latest version of the program, with complete documentation on disk. For $10 more ($15 more outside of Canada and U.S.A.), you may receive the "deluxe" package, which includes the latest version in a binder with printed documentation. The printed manual is an enhanced version of the on-disk documentation, and includes screen dumps and illustrations that cannot be easily incorporated into the on-disk text file. An easy to use order form is enclosed on this disk, in the file REGISTER.FRM. To print the order form out on your printer, you may use the MS-DOS command: COPY REGISTER.FRM PRN [Press Enter] Alternatively, you may wish to load the file REGISTER.FRM into your word processor as ASCII text or DOS text. Then, simply fill in the blanks, and send it along with a cheque, money order or cash in the appropriate amount to: Fred Walker c/o The DreamLogic Software Publishing Group P.O. Box 75026 Bolton, Ontario, Canada L7E 1H6 When you register, if a newer version of the software exists than that designated on the registration form, you will automatically receive the newer version. If you are not familiar with the shareware concept of software distribution, please read the file SHARWARE.TXT which can be found on this disk. You are free to make copies of the shareware disk for your friends so that they may evaluate it on the same basis. You may pass it along to user groups and shareware vendors, and you may upload it to a BBS in an archive format PROVIDED that all files included on the shareware distribution disk are included in the archive or on the copied disk. All files must remain intact, and must not be altered or modified. If you distribute TrackPro PC on a disk, it must appear by itself, with all files intact, exactly as the original shareware distribution disk was released. If you upload TrackPro PC to a BBS, it must appear by itself in its own archive. TrackPro PC must never be "bundled" with any other software product. The registered version MAY NOT BE DISTRIBUTED in any manner, and must not be altered or modified. Copying or distribution of the registered version is software piracy, which is illegal, and is punishable by law. Registered users may make backup copies for their own use only. Your continued use of TrackPro PC beyond the sixty day evaluation period, with or without registration, acknowledges that you have read this agreement, understand it, and agree to be bound by its terms and conditions. You further agree that this agreement supersedes any prior agreement relating to the subject matter of this agreement. DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTY The software contained on this disk, in its original form, is designed to work with PC's which are completely MS-DOS and IBM BIOS compatible, and has been tested on a variety of PC's and compatibles. This software is sold "as is", without any warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of performance and suitability for a particular purpose. The entire risk as to the quality and performance of TrackPro PC is with you. Any liability of the seller will be limited exclusively to product replacement or the refund of the registration fee. I make no claims as to the value of the enclosed software and documentation, or their behavior, and assume no liability for incidental or consequential damages including any lost savings or profits, in connection with, arising out of the use of, or due to the performance of this software. Hence, this program and all documentation contained within should be used at ones own risk. Some states do not allow the exclusion of implied warranties, so the above exclusions may not apply to you. This may give you specific legal rights in certain states, and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state. However, your use of TrackPro PC at any time, with or without registration, acknowledges that you have read this disclaimer, understand it, and agree to be bound by its terms and conditions. You further agree that this agreement supersedes any prior agreement relating to the subject matter of this agreement, and further, supersedes any legal rights that may apply. The author has taken due care in preparing this software and this manual, and in field testing to ascertain their effectiveness. This disclaimer is included strictly to absolve me from any legal issues being brought against me by any legal professionals that become over-enthusiastic gamblers when they go to the race track! HIGHLIGHTS AND FEATURES OF TRACKPRO PC TrackPro PC is a harness racing handicap system for IBM computers and compatibles that was designed to improve your results in race track wagering. It is a scientific alternative to race track "tip sheets" or the favourite selections that are listed in the race track program schedule. It uses a statistical approach to determine the strongest competitors in the race based on their past performance. While it is not the only harness racing handicap program on the market, TrackPro PC represents a new generation of handicapping software. Most "other" handicapping software programs use a fixed, predetermined formula in their calculations. The formula is never revealed to the user, and even if you feel that some of the criteria or parameters used to handicap a race are irrelevant, or are over-emphasized or under-emphasized, you cannot change it. With TrackPro PC the formula is not fixed or predetermined, nor is it hidden from the user. TrackPro PC is strictly a statistics "number-cruncher" - there are no vague factors involved. The "weighting" or significance of each of the parameters used in handicapping a race is known by the user. Furthermore, the user can adjust the "weighting" of each of the parameters to "fine tune" the performance of TrackPro PC. Most "other" handicapping software programs use "static" calculations. That is, the handicap score calculated for any given contender is completely independent of any of the other contenders that appear in the race. TrackPro PC uses a "dynamic" scoring method, which takes the competing contenders into account. With TrackPro PC no scores are calculated until the data for every contender in the race has been entered. The statistics for each contender are compared to the others, then a score for each contender is calculated, based on individual performance in relation to the best performance in each of these statistics areas. Most "other" handicapping software programs use the whole screen to handicap a single contender. The score is then displayed on the screen, but cannot be saved or printed. You, the user, must stop entering information briefly, pick up a pencil, and jot down the score before you proceed to the next contender, otherwise the information and the score are gone forever. With TrackPro PC an entire race is displayed on the screen at one time. Up to 10 contenders may be handicapped in a single race. When all the contenders in the race have been entered, scores for each contender are then calculated, and the three contenders with the highest scores are highlighted. The results of the race may be printed, or may be saved to a disk file. The printed results show the three highest scoring contenders at the top of the listing for each race. If the results are saved to disk, the disk file may be re-loaded later. You then have the option of "scratching" a contender, or replacing one, and re-calculating the results. Only with TrackPro PC can you perform "what-if" type handicap calculations. Assume you have entered and saved all the data from your race track program schedule for a given date, the race is over, and you also have the race results from your local newspaper. In all probability, you would have come up with several winners. Now, however, by re-loading the information that was saved, you may go into the Setup Menu, and adjust the "weighting" of one or more of the parameters used in calculating a score, and then re-calculate a new score to see how these changes affect the outcome. For example, in a race where the horses are non-winners, you may wish to minimize the "weighting" of the horse's statistics in the result scores. In this manner, you can alter the performance of TrackPro PC to maximize your winnings. TrackPro PC is user friendly, and has the look and feel of many of today's popular programs, with familiar drop-down function key menus to access system functions, so there is no need to memorize any obscure commands, and features on-screen instructions at every step. There is no other handicapping software with the features that TrackPro PC offers! HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS FOR TRACKPRO PC Computer Type: IBM or compatible PC, XT, AT, 386, or 486. Monitor Type: Monochrome or colour. Adapter Type: MDA or Hercules compatible monochrome adapter. CGA, EGA, VGA or Super VGA colour adapter. Disk Drives: A single drive, double density or higher. Memory Requirements: 256K minimum. TrackPro PC should run on any computer system that is fully IBM compatible at the bios level and the hardware level. This means it will run on most brand name clones as well as most no-name clones. TrackPro PC is compact enough to run off a single floppy drive, even a 360K 5-1/4" drive. Memory requirements are minimal - TrackPro PC will run in less than 256K of memory. When the program is started, it will check to see what type of display adapter is attached to the system, and configure itself accordingly. Thus, if you are using a monochrome adapter and monitor, TrackPro PC switches to monochrome output. If you are using a colour adapter and monitor, you automatically get the full colour screen display. If you are using a composite monochrome display with a composite colour display adapter, the results may not be too pleasing. The various colour combinations used may cause unpredictable results on a monochrome CGA display. I have not tested this combination. You may wish to order the black and white version described below. Specify TrackPro PC V1.0RBW when ordering. Alternatively, there are some screen utility programs out there that convert colour screen output to black and white. You may find that these provide sufficient contrast. Most laptop computers offer CGA or higher colour compatibility. The different colours are usually represented as different shades of gray. If you are using TrackPro PC on a laptop, and find that you are getting very poor contrast, a black and white version is available, and is intended specifically to maximize the contrast on an LCD type display. Specify TrackPro PC V1.0RBW when ordering. I have tested TrackPro PC on a variety of computers, including several "no-name" clones, and several brand name clones. These ranged in processor class from 8088 and 8086 to 80286 and 80386. In monitor types, I have tested it on MDA and Hercules compatible monochrome; and on CGA, EGA, and VGA color displays. So far, I have not encountered any problems on any of these computers or displays. If you have difficulties running TrackPro PC on your computer, I would appreciate hearing from you. Let me know what type of computer you are using, as well as your display adapter type, and let me know exactly the nature of the problem, and where it appears. I will do my best to correct any problems that show up. GETTING STARTED WITH TRACKPRO PC You can run TrackPro PC directly from the shareware distribution disk. (The disk is not "bootable", however; you would need to boot from MS-DOS as you normally would.) However, I would strongly suggest that you make a back-up copy of the program before using it. To make an exact copy of the shareware distribution disk, insert your original disk in drive A:, insert a blank disk in drive B:, and use the MS-DOS command : DISKCOPY A: B: [press Enter] To make a backup copy to a different drive type, such as 5-1/4" to 3-1/2", insert your original disk in drive A:, a blank formatted disk on drive B:, then use the MS-DOS command: COPY *.* B: [press Enter] To install the shareware distribution disk onto your hard drive, you will first need to create a subdirectory for the program before you can copy the files over to it. Log onto your hard drive, then type: CD\ [press Enter] MKDIR TRACKPRO [press Enter] CD TRACKPRO [press Enter] COPY A:*.* [press Enter] These examples assume that the shareware distribution disk you received is a 5-1/4" disk, and that drive A: is a 5-1/4" floppy drive. If your drive A: is not a 5-1/4" drive, or if you received your distribution disk on a 3-1/2" disk, then you may need to substitute the appropriate drive letters for your computer. USING TPSETUP.EXE - THE TRACKPRO SETUP PROGRAM Before you start TrackPro PC, you should run the setup program TPSETUP.EXE. The setup program allows you to configure TrackPro PC's data entry options to match those in your race track program schedule, and also allows you to adjust the various weighting factors of the parameters involved in handicapping a race. These options are then saved in a configuration file TRACKPRO.CFG. Two options in the setup program are particularly important, these being the data entry modes for driver statistics and trainer statistics. If your race track program schedule lists UDR Universal Driver Rating and also lists UTR Universal Trainer Rating, then it is not necessary to run TPSETUP, as these are the default parameters. If you start TrackPro PC without using TPSETUP, TrackPro PC will create a configuration file using its own default parameters. However, if your race track program schedule does not list Driver UDR or Trainer UTR, then you must run TPSETUP, and select the alternate data entry options, which are Driver Starts, 1st, 2nd & 3rd place finishes, and likewise, Trainer Starts, 1st, 2nd & 3rd place finishes. To run the setup program TPSETUP.EXE, floppy disk users need only to insert the TrackPro disk in the appropriate drive, then type: TPSETUP [press Enter] Hard disk users will need to log onto the drive and directory that TrackPro was installed in. If you followed the example above, then type: CD\TRACKPRO [press Enter] TPSETUP [press Enter] TPSETUP.EXE will then load, and, if a configuration file already exists, the current configuration is then loaded. If no configuration file exists, the default parameters are used. The setup screen is fairly straight forward, and uses the Cursor keys and [Enter] to select and adjust the various options. A detailed description of TPSETUP is provided in a separate file on this disk TPSETUP.TXT. New users will benefit from using TPSETUP because it lets you see the different parameters that TrackPro PC uses to handicap a race, with more detailed descriptions than those which appear when you run TrackPro PC. HANDICAPPING A RACE WITH TRACKPRO PC Once you have made your backup copy of TrackPro PC, starting the program is quite simple. Floppy disk users need only to insert the TrackPro disk in the appropriate drive, then type: TRACKPRO [press Enter] Hard disk users will need to log onto the drive and directory that TrackPro PC was installed in. If you followed the example above, then type: CD\TRACKPRO [press Enter] TRACKPRO [press Enter] TrackPro PC will then load, and, after a brief interval, will display the Title/Registration screen. This screen will remain on your monitor for five full minutes, as a reminder to those who use TrackPro PC regularly, but have not yet registered, that they SHOULD! It is my hope that most users will find this five minute delay sufficiently annoying that they will register the program. A count down timer is displayed during this delay for your convenience. Pressing any keys on the keyboard during this five minute delay is hopeless; key presses are intercepted, and they will not get you out of this five minute delay. You have to suffer through it. Grab a cup of coffee, or light up a Lucky Strike, but stay with it. The program is well worth the wait. Once the five minutes have elapsed, the Title/Registration screen disappears, and is replaced by the main handicapping screen. The main screen is comprised of: 1) A drop-down function key menu across the top row. 2) A Handicap Data Entry Window in the upper left portion of the screen. 3) A Status Display Window in the upper right portion of the screen. 4) A one-line Help Display for help messages and prompts. 5) A large blank Results Window on the lower half of the screen where the handicap score results will be displayed. 6) A title line across the bottom row. The Help Line at the centre of the screen displays the message: Press Any Key to Begin. Press any key. At this point, the Handicap Data Entry Window is activated. You will note that the Handicap menu option is highlighted on the menu bar at the top of the screen. Additionally, you will note that a portion of the data entry window has been highlighted in red, with a flashing box cursor, indicating that input is expected at this time. At the top of the Handicap Data Entry window is a message prompt, that indicates which statistical parameter you are currently entering, and the help line in the middle of the screen tells you exactly what to enter. You may also access any of the other menus at any time during data entry. Maneouvering around the menu is fairly straight forward. The following keys are used: [F1] Selects and opens the Options Menu. [F2] or [Esc] Closes an open menu, and returns to the Handicap Data Entry Window or the Handicap Menu - whichever is active. [F3] Selects and opens the Setup Menu. [F10] Selects and opens the Exit Menu. Left Cursor Selects the menu item to the left of the [-] current menu item, with wrap-around to the right, but does not open that menu. Right Cursor Selects the menu item to the right of the [-] current menu item, with wrap-around to the left, but does not open that menu. [Enter] Opens the menu that is currently selected. The different menus will all be discussed in detail in a later chapter. It is my intent here to show you enough about the program to get your feet wet, without boggling your mind with all the details and nuances that make up the program. [F2] - HANDICAP This option may be selected by pressing [F2], or by pressing [Enter] when the Handicap menu option is highlighted, or by pressing [Esc] from any menu that is currently open. When this option is selected, the Handicap Data Entry Window is activated. When TrackPro PC is started, this option is selected automatically, so that you are ready to begin entering data. If you access any of the other menus, you will need to press [F2] or [Esc] to re-activate the Handicap Data Entry Window. At this point, you will need a copy of the race track program schedule for the races you wish to handicap. You can obtain these program schedules at the track, and usually in selected convenience stores in your area. It is to your advantage to obtain the program schedule earlier than the day the races will occur. It will take you approximately an hour to an hour and a half to enter all the data for an entire race program schedule (typically 10 races). You do not necessarily have to enter all the data during one session. If you save the results to a disk file, you may stop at any time, and later on resume entering data from where you left off. Generally speaking, as the race approaches, there are going to be a few scratched contenders, and possibly some replacements. This is no problem, TrackPro PC can deal with these situations. Once you have the program schedule in front of you, you are ready to begin entering the data that TrackPro PC requires. All the information required can be found directly on the program schedule. If you are unsure where to find the information, check at the beginning of the program schedule. They usually give an example, and point out exactly what each statistic is. When you are typing in the information required, which is usually a 3 or 4 digit number, you may make corrections by pressing the backspace key. This will erase the digit previously entered, and allow you to re-type it. If you press a key that is not valid for any particular entry, a short beep will be heard. When you have typed in the data for each entry, TrackPro PC will wait for you to press [Enter]. After you press [Enter], you will be advanced to the next entry. The information that TrackPro PC uses to handicap a race is listed here. DRIVER'S STATISTICS This is based on the driver's number of first place finishes, second place finishes, and third place finishes compared to the number of starts. This produces a ratio called the Universal Driver Rating which may also be listed on your race track program schedule. Some race tracks do not list the Universal Driver Rating, while others do not rate a driver until after he has appeared in a certain minimum number of races. TrackPro PC will produce this rating regardless. The driver's statistics are usually located at the top of each post position's listing in the race track program schedule, above the horse's statistics. It will appear similar to this: Mike Harrison 289-38-40-36-.247 Red-White 140lbs │ │ │ │ │ Starts ──┘ │ │ │ └── Universal Driver Rating │ │ │ Firsts ──┘ │ └── Thirds │ Seconds TrackPro PC features 2 different options for entering this data. If your race track program schedule provides the UDR rating for each driver, you should select this option during setup, as this allows for faster data entry. If your race track program schedule does not list the Universal Driver Rating, then you should select Driver Starts-1sts-2nds-3rds during setup. TrackPro PC will then use this information to calculate its own UDR rating. If you have selected Universal Driver Rating during setup, here is what you need to enter: Driver UDR Rating: Exactly a 3 digit number, the decimal is automatically entered for you. Press [Enter] after you have typed in the number. TrackPro PC will guide you through this by issuing a "Help" message for this entry. If you have selected Driver Starts-1sts-2nds-3rds during setup, here is what you need to enter: Driver Starts: Any number up to 4 digits in length. Press [Enter] after you have typed in the number. Driver Firsts: Any number up to 3 digits in length. Press [Enter] after you have typed in the number. Driver Seconds: Any number up to 3 digits in length. Press [Enter] after you have typed in the number. Driver Thirds: Any number up to 3 digits in length. Press [Enter] after you have typed in the number. TrackPro PC will guide you through this by issuing a "Help" message for each entry. TRAINER'S STATISTICS This is based on the trainer's number of first place finishes, second place finishes, and third place finishes compared to the number of starts. This produces a ratio called the Universal Trainer Rating which may also be listed on your race track program schedule. Some race tracks do not list the Universal Trainer Rating, while others do not rate a trainer until after he has appeared in a certain minimum number of races. TrackPro PC will produce this rating regardless. Trainer statistics are important in handicapping a race for this reason. A trainer couldn't have a high rating unless his horses were winning. Similarly, you wouldn't want to wager on a trainer with a low UTR rating. This fact alone makes it a useful statistic, and TrackPro PC thrives on statistics. The Trainer's UTR rating usually appears at the top of the listing to the right of the driver's statistics. It will appear similar to this: Tr. Lewis Rayner .312 TrackPro PC features 2 different options for entering this data. If your race track program schedule provides the UTR rating for each trainer, you should select this option during setup, as this allows for faster data entry. If you have selected Universal Trainer Rating during setup, here is what you need to enter: Trainer UTR Rating: Exactly a 3 digit number, the decimal is automatically entered for you. Press [Enter] after you have typed in the number. Again, TrackPro PC will guide you through this by issuing a "Help" message for this entry. If your race track program schedule does not list the Universal Trainer Rating, then you should select Trainer Starts-1sts-2nds-3rds during setup. This information may be listed on a separate page in your race program schedule. TrackPro PC will then use this information to calculate its own UTR rating. Here is what you need to enter: Trainer Starts: Any number up to 4 digits in length. Press [Enter] after you have typed in the number. Trainer Firsts: Any number up to 3 digits in length. Press [Enter] after you have typed in the number. Trainer Seconds: Any number up to 3 digits in length. Press [Enter] after you have typed in the number. Trainer Thirds: Any number up to 3 digits in length. Press [Enter] after you have typed in the number. TrackPro PC will guide you through this by issuing a "Help" message for each entry. HORSE'S STATISTICS As with the driver and trainer, the horse's statistics are based on the number of first place finishes, second place finishes, and third place finishes compared to the number of starts. There is no such rating as a Universal Horse Rating. However, the ratio that is produced here is produced in the same manner that the UDR and UTR ratings are calculated. The horse's statistics are usually located in the upper right portion of each post position's listing in the race track program schedule, and will appear similar to this: 1993 2:01.1H NYD ft 15 4 1 0 1992 2:01.0H MnP ft 23 4 3 6 │ │ │ │ Starts ──┘ │ │ └── Thirds │ │ Firsts ──┘ └── Seconds In general, you would want to use the current year's statistics. However, early in the year, the numbers may be too low to be reliable as statistics. In that case, it may be more reliable to use the previous year's statistics. Here is what you need to enter: Horse Starts: Any number up to 3 digits in length. Press [Enter] after you have typed in the number. Horse Firsts: Any number up to 3 digits in length. Press [Enter] after you have typed in the number. Horse Seconds: Any number up to 3 digits in length. Press [Enter] after you have typed in the number. Horse Thirds: Any number up to 3 digits in length. Press [Enter] after you have typed in the number. Again, TrackPro PC will guide you through this by issuing a "Help" message for each entry. INDIVIDUAL FINISH TIME Under the horse's statistics, you will note 2 listings of times at the 1/4 mark, the 1/2 mark, the 3/4 mark, and the finish mark. Usually, the leftmost statistics are the Leader's time at these points. TrackPro PC does NOT use the leader's time. Some other handicapping programs do, but it doesn't seem logical to me to use the statistics for a horse that in all probability does not appear in this race. TrackPro PC uses the Individual Times, which usually appear in the race track program schedule to the right of the leader's times, following a listing of the horse's individual position at various points in the race. If you are unsure about this, please check the beginning pages of your program schedule. The examples shown there should help. It will be similar to this: 2 2-1/2 2 1-1/4 2:01 3 30 3 30 2 30 1 30 2 │ │ │ │ │ Position ──┘ │ │ │ Last Quarter │ │ │ Time in Seconds Finish Time Minutes ──┘ │ │ and Fifths │ │ Finish Time Seconds ──┘ │ Individual Times at Finish, │ and at each quarter of the Fractional Portion ──┘ race. 1/5 of a second, shown in smaller superscript text, and usually not shown if 0 Here is what you need to enter: Individual Finish Time: Exactly 4 digits. The cursor is automatically advanced. Again, TrackPro PC will guide you through this by issuing a "Help" message for this entry. When you type in the minutes, the cursor location is automatically advanced to the seconds. The fractional portion, which is listed in fifths of a second, is represented in TrackPro PC as a decimal. The calculations are in fifths. You enter the number exactly as it appears in the program schedule. Again, the cursor is advanced automatically past the decimal point. In some instances, the program schedule will not list the fractional portion. Usually, if the fractional portion is 0, the 0 is not printed. TrackPro PC requires that you enter a 0 in this case. Exactly 4 digits must be entered. In most cases, there will be a list of the most recent races, perhaps about 6 races in all. The choice to enter for finish time should be the most recent time in the list. This is normally the top listing. However you will want to check that nothing unusual occurred during that race. Things to watch for are: x break i interference ix interference break L treated with Lasix Any of these could result in times that are not typical for the horse you are handicapping. Also, try to use times from a fast track. A Good track generally results in times that are representative of the horse, maybe marginally slower. A sloppy track yields unpredictable results. My guideline is to use the most recent time from a fast track with no incidents. In lieu of this, use the most recent time that is representative of the horses past performance. INDIVIDUAL LAST QUARTER TIME As shown in the previous example for individual finish time, following the finish time is a listing of the individual times for each quarter of the race. TrackPro Pc uses the individual time for the last quarter. This is usually the rightmost listing, in seconds and fifths of seconds. Here is what you need to enter: Individual Last Quarter Time: Exactly 3 digits. The cursor is automatically advanced. Again, TrackPro PC will guide you through this by issuing a "Help" message for this entry. As in the Individual Finish Time entry, the fractional portion, which is listed in fifths of a second, is represented in TrackPro PC as a decimal. The calculations are in fifths. You enter the number exactly as it appears in the program schedule. Again, the cursor is advanced automatically past the decimal point. Again, if the fractional portion of the time was 0/5 seconds, the 0 would not be printed in the race program schedule. However, TrackPro PC requires that you enter a 0. Exactly 3 digits must be entered. The Individual Last Quarter Time that you select from the program schedule should correspond to the Individual Finish Time that you selected. That is they should be from the same race. For example, if you used the most recent finish time, then you should also be using the most recent time for the last quarter. A fast time in the last quarter of the race shows the horse's ability to come on strong in the final stretch. And that, after all, is when it is most crucial; when they are approaching the finish line. STATUS DISPLAY WINDOW The Status Display Window located in the upper right portion of the screen will keep you informed of your progress during data entry, as it is automatically updated for each new contender you enter. The Status Display Window tells you the current race and post position which you are entering data for, and additionally provides you with the status of disk file and printer operations. When all the data for an entire race has been entered, or loaded from disk, and the Result Scores are calculated and displayed, the top three selections are also listed at the bottom of the Status Display Window. MAKING CORRECTIONS DURING DATA ENTRY At any time during data entry, if you type in the wrong digit or character, you may use the BackSpace key to correct it. As you press the BackSpace key, the cursor will move backwards, to the left, and it will erase the digit or character that was previously typed there. Additionally. if you try to enter an illegal character, TrackPro PC will issue a short beep from your computer's speaker, and will remain at the same location, allowing you to re-enter a legal character. In fields which have digits that are separated by a colon (:) or a decimal point (.), such as Individual Finish Time and Individual Last Quarter Time, the cursor will back up to the digit preceding the separating character. By repeatedly pressing the BackSpace key, you can back up all the way to the beginning of the field, erasing one character or digit with each press. If you press the BackSpace key on the first digit of a field, you will back up one field at a time, rather than one character at a time. The field that you backed up to will be erased, and you will have to re-enter the data for that field. For example, suppose you have just entered the Individual Finish Time for a contender, the cursor is now on Individual Time Last Quarter, and you are about to enter this information. However, you just now realize that you typed in the wrong information for this contender's Individual Finish Time. Pressing the BackSpace key at this time would back up the cursor to Individual Finish Time, the previously entered Individual Finish Time is erased, and you may now re-enter the correct data. Thus there are two levels of correction. Within a field, you may correct a single digit or character at a time. Outside of a field, you make corrections one field at a time. THE HANDICAP MENU The Handicap Menu appears automatically at the end of each race, when all the data for a race has been entered, or loaded from disk. When you have finished entering all the data for a Post Position, the data you have entered is re-displayed in the lower half of the screen, in the Results Window. All the data for each Post Position is displayed on one line. If the driver or trainer statistics were not entered as UDR or UTR, they are converted at this time. Similarly, the hores's statistics are converted to UHR. At this time, you will be asked if there are any more contender's to handicap in this race by a Message Prompt on the Help line in the centre of the screen. If there are other post positions still remaining to be entered, press the "Y" key. The Handicap Data Entry Window will be cleared, the Post Position is advanced, and you are ready to begin entering the data for the next contender. When all contenders have been entered, press the "N" key at the Message Prompt. TrackPro PC now begins some serious number-crunching. A Result Score for each contender is calculated. The three contenders with the highest Result Scores are displayed in highlighted text. These top three selections are also listed in the Status Display Window. This makes it very easy to tell at a glance which contenders should be used for wagering purposes. On a colour monitor, the highest score is highlighted in white text, the second highest score is highlighted in cyan text, and the third highest score is highlighted in blue text. All remaining scores are displayed in green text. On a monochrome monitor, the 3 highest scores are highlighted in bold text on a lightly shaded background. All remaining scores appear in normal text. The score that is calculated is based on the strengths and/or weaknesses of the statistics for each post position in relation to the those of the other post positions in addition to the "weighting" or significance of each statistic as it is currently set in the Setup Menu. The Handicap Menu now appears in the upper centre portion of the screen. The Handicap Menu is unique to TrackPro PC. It is an interactive screen that lets you "scratch" a post position, substitute a post position, or access the Setup Menu to adjust the "weighting" of the various factors. Each time you make a change, you have the ability to recalculate a new score by selecting the ReCalc option on the Handicap Menu. If you are new to TrackPro PC, this feature can be very useful to you. Before you go out and squander all your money at the racetrack, try TrackPro PC at home for several weeks. Each week, obtain a copy of the race track program schedule, enter all the necessary data, and save the results to disk. When the race is over, pick up a local newspaper that covers the racetrack results. Re-load the previously saved results, and compare the winners that TrackPro PC has come up with to those that actually won. (Or, more importantly, find out how much money you could have won with the winners that TrackPro PC has selected!) Then, try adjusting some of the factors in the Setup Menu to see how this affects the results. Repeat this as often as you like, until you come up with settings that maximize your winnings. TrackPro PC as it is distributed should produce reasonable results. However, by making the adjustments as described here, you can optimize the performance of TrackPro PC. The Handicap Menu uses the Cursor Up and Cursor Down arrow keys to select each particular option. The currently selected option is displayed in highlighted text. On a colour monitor, it will appear highlighted in cyan. On a monochrome monitor, it will appear highlighted in inverse text. To select or activate an option, press [Enter] when that option is highlighted. You are guided through this by a Help Message on the Help Line in the centre of the screen. Each of the handicap options are discussed in detail in the following chapters. PROCEED TO NEXT RACE This option is pretty much self explanatory. Select this option when you no longer wish to re-calculate any different results. The Results Window is cleared at this time. If you are entering fresh handicap data from the race track program schedule, you will be returned at this time to the Handicap Data Entry Window to enter the data for the next race. If you are entering previously saved data from a disk file, then the data for the next race is displayed in the Results Window and the winner of this race is highlighted. When you reach the end of the disk file, you are returned to the Handicap Data Entry Window. It is also very important to note that, if you wish to print the results to your printer, then you should select the Print Results option from the Options menu BEFORE proceeding to the next race. The Print Results option uses the scores that are currently displayed in the Results Window. SCRATCH A CONTENDER This option is primarily intended for those who enter the data for a race day prior to the actual race day. Assuming you have saved the data, you may now re-load the data, and select this option for contenders that are scratched on the day of the race. Once the position has been scratched, the Re-Calc option is automatically invoked, and the handicap results are updated to reflect any changes caused by the scratched position. When you select this option, the first post position in the results window is highlighted in blue. On a monochrome monitor, it will appear highlighted in inverse text. Use the Cursor Up and Cursor Down arrow keys on the Cursor keypad to move the highlighted bar to the post position you wish to scratch. When you have done this, press [Enter]. The scratched post position will be deleted from the screen, and any remaining post positions following the scratched post position will be moved up. Then, new result scores are calculated and displayed. SUBSTITUTE A CONTENDER Again, this option is primarily intended for those who enter the data for a race day prior to the actual race day. Assuming you have saved the data, you may now re-load the data, and select this option for a contender that is scratched on the day of the race, but is being replaced by another eligible contender. This option activates the Handicap Data Entry Window and allows you to enter the new data for the replacement contender. When you select this option, the first post position in the results window is highlighted in blue. On a monochrome monitor, it will appear highlighted in inverse text. Use the Cursor Up and Cursor Down arrow keys on the Cursor keypad to move the highlighted bar to the post position you wish to replace. When you have done this, press [Enter]. The Handicap Data Entry Window is activated for this post position only. Once you have entered all the data for that contender, you return to the Handicap Menu. The new data for this post position is now displayed in the Results Window, over-writing the data for the scratched contender. Again, once the position has been substituted, the Re-Calc option is automatically invoked, and the handicap results are updated to reflect any changes caused by the substitute position. APPEND NEW DATA TO FILE This option is for those occasions when you are unable to enter all the statistics for a given race date during a single session. Assuming you have saved the portion that you entered before you were interrupted, you may re-load the data, and select this option to continue entering data from where you left off. To use this option, you must first select Load Results File from the Options menu. The results of the first race will be displayed with the three highest contenders highlighted. The Handicap Menu appears in the upper centre portion of the screen. Select the Append New Data to File option from the Handicap Menu. You are automatically advanced to the last race in the file, which is then displayed in the Results Window. The result scores are not calculated or displayed at this time. At this time, you will be asked if there are any more contender's to handicap in this race by a Message Prompt on the Help line in the centre of the screen. If there are no other contenders to add in this race, but more races yet to be handicapped, you should press the "N" key. The Results Window will be cleared, you are advanced to the next race, and the Handicap Data Entry Window is cleared and re-activated for data input. If there are other post positions still remaining to be entered in this race, press the "Y" key. The Post Position is advanced, the Handicap Data Entry Window will be cleared and re-activated, and you are ready to begin entering the data for the next contender. When you have finished adding contenders to this race, the result scores are displayed. If there are more races yet to be entered, select Proceed To Next Race, and continue entering data. RECALC You should select this option whenever you change anything in the Setup Menu. This allows you to re-calculate a new score when any of the statistics have been changed. TrackPro PC automatically performs a ReCalc operation when you have finished entering the data for a race, or, if you are using disk file input, then when it has loaded the data for a race. Additionally, whenever you scratch or substitute a post position, the ReCalc feature is automatically invoked. The ReCalc option is a powerful feature of TrackPro PC, as it allows you to adjust the setup, and re-calculate new results. In this manner, you can optimize the configuration of TrackPro PC to maximize your winnings. USING THE MENU SYSTEM IN TRACKPRO PC TrackPro PC features a "drop down" menu system to provide a convenient method for making adjustments to the setup of TrackPro PC, or for selecting certain functions, such as printing or saving the results. Each of the individual functions is described in detail in following chapters. The drop down menu system consists of a horizontal bar across the top of the screen, broken into four sections. Each section is labelled with the title of that menu, and the function key that is used to access that particular menu. The four menus are: Options [F1] Handicap [F2] Setup [F3] Exit [F10] When you begin TrackPro PC, the Handicap menu function is automatically selected for you. If you are using a colour monitor, the section of the menu bar labelled "Handicap F2" will appear highlighted in cyan, while the rest of the menu bar is in green. On a monochrome monitor, the menu bar labelled "Handicap F2 " appears in bold text on a lightly shaded background, while the rest of the menu bar appears in inverse text. These drop down menus can be accessed at almost any time while using TrackPro PC, by pressing the function key associated with menu function. For example, to activate the Setup Menu, press the function key [F3]. The highlighted portion of the menu bar "shifts" to the section labelled "Setup F3", and the Setup Menu drops down over the screen. Within the Setup Menu, a number of Setup menu choices are offered. The first selection on the Setup Menu is currently selected, and will appear highlighted in blue if you are using a colour monitor, or highlighted in inverse text if you are using a monochrome monitor. The different options available within the Setup Menu can then be selected by using the Cursor Up or Cursor Down arrow keys on the Cursor keypad. Once the option you wish to select is highlighted, simply press [Enter] to activate it. When you activate an option, the highlighting will change from blue to red on a colour monitor, or from inverse text to bold text on a lightly shaded background on a monochrome monitor. In this manner, you always have a visual reminder that a menu option is currently active. You cannot exit a menu when a menu option is active. In general, changes are made by using the Cursor Up or Cursor Down arrow keys on the cursor keypad. In some instances, options are automatically invoked once selected. When you have finished making any changes to that menu option, and press [Enter], that option is de-activated, although still selected. The highlighting will change back from red to blue on a colour monitor, or from bold text on a shaded background to inverse text on a monochrome monitor. When you have finished making adjustments in the Setup Menu, you may return to the Handicap screen by pressing [F2], or you may press another function key to access another menu. Alternatively, you may move from one menu to another by using the Cursor Right or Cursor Left arrow keys on the cursor keypad. For example, if you were in the Setup Menu as described previously, and you pressed the Cursor Right arrow key, the Setup Menu would close up again, leaving the screen contents that were covered by the menu unaltered, and the highlighted area of the menu bar at the top of the screen would "shift" to the Exit Menu, which is located to the right of the Setup Menu. Note that the Exit Menu would not be activated at this point. To activate a menu in this manner, you would press the [Enter] key when its menu bar is highlighted. Those of you who use other programs that feature drop down menus will find this menu structure familiar and comfortable. There is no need to memorize any obscure commands. [F1] THE OPTIONS MENU The Options Menu can be accessed at almost any time when using TrackPro PC by pressing the function key [F1], or if you are already at the bar menu level, you may use the Cursor Right or Cursor Left arrow keys to highlight the Options Menu bar, then press [Enter]. The Options Menu, when selected, will open with the first option highlighted in blue on a color screen, or inverse text on a monochrome monitor. You may select the various options by pressing the Cursor Up or Cursor Down arrow keys on the cursor keypad. When the desired option is highlighted in blue, press [Enter] to activate that option. When a menu item is activated on the Options Menu, the highlighted bar will change in color from blue to red on a color screen, or from inverse text to bold text on a lightly shaded background on a monochrome monitor. Once you have finished with that option, the highlighting will change back from red to blue on a color monitor, or from bold text to inverse text on a monochrome monitor, to indicate that the menu option is no longer active. Each of the options available on the Options Menu are described in detail below. PRINT RESULT SCORES This option allows you to print the handicap results that are currently displayed in the Results Window. The Print Result Scores option uses the scores currently displayed, and therefore, is effective only at the end of each race, when the Handicap Menu is displayed and scores are calculated. To select this option, press [Enter] when it is highlighted on the Options Menu. The highlighted bar will change in color indicating that this menu option is currently active. The first time that this option is selected during a handicap session, the following warning message is displayed on the screen. PRINT SCORE RESULTS ═══════════════════════════════════════ Printer must be ONLINE and READY. Press any key to begin printing. At this time, you should check your printer, and make sure it is on, has paper loaded, and is ready to go. If it is not ready, you should take the time now to get it ready, before you proceed with the program. Once your printer is ready, press any key to continue. If you select this option while entering data, and you have not entered all the data for this race, nothing will be printed. Instead, the following message prompt will appear. PRINT SCORE RESULTS ═══════════════════════════════════════ You cannot PRINT Result Scores or Summaries until all data is entered and Result Scores are displayed! Press any key to resume. Press any key at this time, and you are returned to the Options Menu. You should return to the Handicap Data Entry Window and complete your data entry before selecting this option. Your printed output, once obtained, closely resembles the screen display that appears in the Results Window, and will be similar to the example shown below. RACE # 1 TRACKPRO SELECTIONS: 4 - 1 - 6 =============================================================== POST UDR UTR UHR FINISH LAST QRTR SCORE =============================================================== 1 .194 .467 .285 2:03.3 :31.2 6877 2 .000 .000 .333 2:04.3 :30.3 3536 3 .208 .231 .277 2:04.4 :32.0 5497 4 .272 .403 .711 2:02.2 :30.4 8825 5 .000 .000 .000 2:05.3 :32.4 1800 6 .272 .214 .000 1:59.0 :30.4 6866 PRINT SCORE SUMMARY This option allows you to print a summary of the handicap results that are currently displayed in the Results Window. The Print Score Summary option also uses the scores currently displayed, and therefore, is effective only at the end of each race, when the Handicap Menu is displayed and scores are calculated. To select this option, press [Enter] when it is highlighted on the Options Menu. The highlighted bar will change in color indicating that this menu option is currently active. Again, if you have not used your printer during this handicap session, the following warning message is displayed on the screen. PRINT SCORE SUMMARY ═══════════════════════════════════════ Printer must be ONLINE and READY. Press any key to begin printing. At this time, you should check your printer, and make sure it is on, has paper loaded, and is ready to go. If it is not ready, you should take the time now to get it ready, before you proceed with the program. Once your printer is ready, press any key to continue. If you select this option while entering data, and you have not entered all the data for this race, nothing will be printed. Instead, the following message prompt will appear. PRINT SCORE SUMMARY ═══════════════════════════════════════ You cannot PRINT Result Scores or Summaries until all data is entered and Result scores are displayed! Press any key to resume. Press any key at this time, and you are returned to the Options Menu. You should return to the Handicap Data Entry Window and complete your data entry before selecting this option. Your printed summary of the Result Scores lists only the race number, and TrackPro PC's selections for that race, as shown in the example below. TRACKPRO SELECTIONS ============================== RACE # 1 5 - 3 - 6 RACE # 2 1 - 7 - 4 RACE # 3 1 - 3 - 2 RACE # 4 4 - 1 - 6 PRINT HANDICAP SCORING PARAMETERS This option allows you to print the Handicap Scoring Parameters as they are currently set to in the Setup Menu. You may select this option at any time during a handicap session. If you are a new user, and are still experimenting with different scoring parameters, this will help you to keep track of those which are most successful for you. To select this option, press [Enter] when it is highlighted on the Options Menu. The highlighted bar will change in color indicating that this menu option is currently active. Again, if you have not used your printer during this handicap session, the following warning message is displayed on the screen. PRINT SCORING PARAMETERS ═══════════════════════════════════════ Printer must be ONLINE and READY. Press any key to begin printing. At this time, you should check your printer, and make sure it is on, has paper loaded, and is ready to go. If it is not ready, you should take the time now to get it ready, before you proceed with the program. Once your printer is ready, press any key to continue. The printed listing of Handicap Scoring Parameters appears as in the example below. Note that the actual value of the various parameters are dependant on the current Setup. TRACKPRO HANDICAP SCORING PARAMETERS Maximum Driver scoring potential: 1000 points Maximum Trainer scoring potential: 1000 points Maximum Horse scoring potential: 1000 points Maximum Finish Time scoring potential: 1000 points Maximum Last Qrtr scoring potential: 1000 points Highest possible score: 5000 points POTENTIAL SCORE IS REDUCED BY THESE FACTORS Driver: Individual UDR/Highest UDR Trainer: Individual UTR/Highest UTR Horse: Individual UHR/Highest UHR Time: 100 points per second behind fastest contender Post: Positions above 5 reduced by 10% PAGE EJECT/FORM FEED This option sends a form feed code to your printer. The printed results are not paginated - i.e. there are no pre-set page breaks. If you are using continuous feed paper, you can ignore this option and simply print over the page perforations. However, if you are using a page printer, such as a laser printer, or if you are printing on single sheets, you will need to use this option to eject the page after you have printed the results of 3 to 4 races. SAVE DATA TO DISK FILE This option allows you to save the handicap results to a disk file. The results that are saved can later be re-loaded. This can be a very useful option. First, it allows you to enter the data in multiple sessions, and each time, resume from where you left off. It takes approximately an hour to an hour and a half to enter all the data for an entire race track program schedule. Secondly, it allows you to enter the necessary data for handicapping a race prior to the race day itself. You may simply not have time on the actual race day to do this. Yet, you will want your results to be accurate, and reflect any changes, such as contenders that are scratched, or replaced by other eligible contenders. By saving the results to a disk file prior to the actual race date, you could then re-load the data on the race date, and accommodate any post position scratches or replacements. In a very short time, you would have updated results, which you may also save to disk, or which you may print out at this time. Often, your local radio station covers post position scratches or replacements by other eligible contenders. Your race track program schedule will indicate this, or it may provide an alternative source of information. The results of the entire day's race program schedule are stored in a single file which will typically use up about 5k of disk space. Again, the status of Save Data to Disk File is displayed in the Status Display window in the upper right portion of the screen. To select this option, press [Enter] when it is highlighted on the Options Menu. The highlighted bar will change in color indicating that this menu option is currently active. At this time, you will be prompted by a message prompt in the centre of the screen, as follows: SAVE TRACKPRO DISK FILE ═══════════════════════════════════════ Enter filename for save file: At this time, you should type in the name of the file that you want to save your results in. The filename you type in should be a legitimate DOS filename, i.e. FILENAME.EXT where filename is up to 8 alpha-numeric characters, followed by a period (.), followed by up to 3 alpha-numeric characters for the extension. Spaces are not allowed in the filename. If you wish to save the results to a different disk drive than you are running TrackPro PC from, you may specify a drive in the filename, such as B:FILENAME.EXT. Or, if you are using a hard disk, and want to save the results in a different directory than you are running TrackPro PC from, you may specify the drive and directory in the filename, such as C:\RESULTS\FILENAME.EXT. Up to 25 characters may be used in the filename entry. If the filename you typed in is a valid DOS filename, the message prompt will disappear from the screen, and the file is created. If the filename you typed in was not a valid DOS filename, then an error message will be displayed in the centre of the screen, as follows: FILE OR DISK ERROR ═══════════════════════════════════════ Error writing TrackPro Disk File. Press any key to continue. Press any key. You are then returned to the Options menu. The Save Data to Disk File option is still selected, but is de-activated at this time. If you wish to re-try with a new filename, simply press [Enter], and repeat this procedure. LOAD DATA FROM DISK FILE This option allows you to re-enter handicapping data from a file that was previously saved using the Save Data to Disk File option. This option serves several purposes. 1) If you are unable to enter all the data for an entire race in one session, this allows you to re-load the first portion that is saved, and then resume entering data. 2) If you are a laptop user, and have entered the data prior to the actual race, you may re-load the data at the track, and then accommodate any post positions that have been scratched or replaced by other contenders. Then, using the Re-Calc option, you can see how the results are affected by these changes. 3) You may use this option after the races are finished, and the results are known, and adjust the Setup to see how the resulting scores are affected. In this manner, you can optimize the Setup Menu to maximize your winnings. To select this option, press [Enter] when it is highlighted on the Options Menu. The highlighted bar will change in color indicating that this menu option is currently active. At this time, you will be prompted by a message prompt in the centre of the screen, as follows: LOAD TRACKPRO DISK FILE ═══════════════════════════════════════ Enter filename for load file: At this time, you should type in the name of the file that you want to load. The filename you type in should be a legitimate DOS filename, i.e. FILENAME.EXT where filename is up to 8 alpha-numeric characters, followed by a period (.), followed by up to 3 alpha-numeric characters for the extension. Spaces are not allowed in the filename. If you wish to load a results file from a different disk drive than you are running TrackPro PC from, you may specify a drive in the filename, such as B:FILENAME.EXT. Or, if you are using a hard disk, and want to load a results file from a different directory than you are running TrackPro PC from, you may specify the drive and directory in the filename, such as C:\RESULTS\FILENAME.EXT. Up to 25 characters may be used in the filename entry. If the filename you typed in is a valid DOS filename, and the file exists on the disk, the message prompt will disappear from the screen, and the file is opened. At this time TrackPro PC reads in the data from the saved file and displays the data from the first race in the Handicap Results Window. After the data for the first race is displayed TrackPro PC re-calculates the score results according to the current Setup. Again, the 3 highest scoring contenders are displayed in highlighted text. The Handicap Menu opens at this time, and you may select the appropriate action from there. If the filename you typed in was not a valid DOS filename, or the file does not exist on the disk you are using, then an error message will be displayed in the centre of the screen, as follows: FILE NOT FOUND OR DISK ERROR ═══════════════════════════════════════ Error loading TrackPro Disk File. Press any key to continue. Press any key. You are then returned to the Options menu. The Load Data from Disk File option is still selected, but is de-activated at this time. If you wish to re-try with a new filename, simply press [Enter], and repeat this procedure. [F3] THE SETUP MENU The Setup Menu can be accessed at almost any time when using TrackPro PC by pressing the function key [F3], or if you are already at the bar menu level, you may use the Cursor Right or Cursor Left arrow keys to highlight the Setup Menu bar, then press [Enter]. The menu items on the Setup Menu directly affect the score results that are obtained with TrackPro PC. The Setup Menu, when selected, will open with the first option highlighted in blue on a color screen, or inverse text on a monochrome screen. You may select the various options by pressing the Cursor Up or Cursor Down arrow keys on the cursor keypad. When the desired option is highlighted in blue, press [Enter] to activate that option. The highlighted bar will change in colour at this point, to indicate that the menu option is currently active. On a colour monitor, the highlighted bar will change from blue to red. On a monochrome monitor, the highlighted bar will change from inverse text to bold text on a lightly shaded background. You cannot exit the Setup Menu when any of the options are active. Changes are made by using the by pressing the Cursor Up or Cursor Down arrow keys on the cursor keypad. Once you have made your changes to that option, press [Enter]. The highlighted bar will then change back from red to blue on a colour monitor, or from bold text on a shaded background to inverse text on a monochrome monitor. You may exit the Setup Menu by pressing [F2] to resume handicapping, or by pressing the function key associated with any of the other menus in TrackPro PC. Alternatively, you may press the Cursor Right or Cursor Left arrow keys on the cursor keypad to highlight other menus on the menu bar, and press [Enter] to activate that particular menu. Each of the options available on the Setup Menu are described in detail below. However, before proceeding, it would be helpful to the user to explain exactly how the score results are obtained so that you are able to foresee the effects of any adjustments you make. Before any handicapping calculations are done, TrackPro PC first converts the Starts, First, Second, and Third place finishes to ratios called Universal Diver Rating (UDR), Universal Trainer Rating (UTR), and Universal Horse Rating (UHR). This UHR will not be found on any race track program schedule - it is unique to TrackPro PC. Suppose the current Setup is as follows (although I have deliberately made each number different, for clarity.) Driver Scoring: 1800 Trainer Scoring: 1600 Horse Scoring: 2000 Finish Time Scoring: 1200 Last Qrtr Scoring: 1500 Forfeit Points/Sec: 100 Forfeit... 10% ...for Posts Above: 5 Individual Scores would be derived from the sum of these calculations: Individual UDR/Highest UDR X 1800 Individual UTR/Highest UTR X 1600 Individual UHR/Highest UHR X 2000 1200 points - (100 points per second behind fastest finish) 1500 points - (100 points per second behind fastest last quarter) Post Positions above 5 reduced by 10% DRIVER SCORING This option allows you to increase or decrease the "weighting" or significance of the driver in the result scores. Driver Scoring can be adjusted from a minimum of 100 points to a maximum of 10,000 points. A higher number increases the importance of the driver in the result scores, while a lower number decreases his importance. Select this option by pressing [Enter] when it is highlighted in blue on the Setup Menu. The highlighted bar will change in color, indicating that this menu option is active. Then, use the Cursor Up or the Cursor Down arrow keys on the cursor keypad to adjust the number. Cursor Up increases the number, and Cursor Down decreases the number. When you have finished making adjustments, press [Enter] to accept the number displayed. The highlighted bar will now change back in color, indicating that this option is de-activated after you pressed [Enter]. If you now press the Cursor Up or Cursor Down arrow keys, you will be selecting different options on the Setup Menu. TRAINER SCORING This option allows you to increase or decrease the "weighting" or significance of the trainer in the result scores. Trainer Scoring can be adjusted from a minimum of 100 points to a maximum of 10,000 points. A higher number increases the importance of the trainer in the result scores, while a lower number decreases his importance. Select this option by pressing [Enter] when it is highlighted in blue on the Setup Menu. The highlighted bar will change in color, indicating that this menu option is active. Then, use the Cursor Up or the Cursor Down arrow keys on the cursor keypad to adjust the number. Cursor Up increases the number, and Cursor Down decreases the number. When you have finished making adjustments, press [Enter] to accept the number displayed. The highlighted bar will now change back in color, indicating that this option is de-activated after you pressed [Enter]. If you now press the Cursor Up or Cursor Down arrow keys, you will be selecting different options on the Setup Menu. HORSE SCORING This option allows you to increase or decrease the "weighting" or significance of the horse in the result scores. Horse Scoring can be adjusted from a minimum of 100 points to a maximum of 10,000 points. A higher number increases the importance of the horse in the result scores, while a lower number decreases the importance. Select this option by pressing [Enter] when it is highlighted in blue on the Setup Menu. The highlighted bar will change in color, indicating that this menu option is active. Then, use the Cursor Up or the Cursor Down arrow keys on the cursor keypad to adjust the number. Cursor Up increases the number, and Cursor Down decreases the number. When you have finished making adjustments, press [Enter] to accept the number displayed. The highlighted bar will now change back in color, indicating that this option is de-activated after you pressed [Enter]. If you now press the Cursor Up or Cursor Down arrow keys, you will be selecting different options on the Setup Menu. FINISH TIME SCORING This option allows you to increase or decrease the "weighting" or significance of the finish times in the result scores. Finish Time Scoring can be adjusted from a minimum of 100 points to a maximum of 10,000 points. A higher number increases the importance of finish times in the result scores, while a lower number decreases the importance. Select this option by pressing [Enter] when it is highlighted in blue on the Setup Menu. The highlighted bar will change in color, indicating that this menu option is active. Then, use the Cursor Up or the Cursor Down arrow keys on the cursor keypad to adjust the number. Cursor Up increases the number, and Cursor Down decreases the number. When you have finished making adjustments, press [Enter] to accept the number displayed. The highlighted bar will now change back in color, indicating that this option is de-activated after you pressed [Enter]. If you now press the Cursor Up or Cursor Down arrow keys, you will be selecting different options on the Setup Menu. LAST QUARTER TIME SCORING This option allows you to increase or decrease the "weighting" or significance of the times for the last quarter of the race in the result scores. Last Quarter Time Scoring can be adjusted from a minimum of 100 points to a maximum of 10,000 points. A higher number increases the importance of last quarter times in the result scores, while a lower number decreases the importance. Select this option by pressing [Enter] when it is highlighted in blue on the Setup Menu. The highlighted bar will change in color, indicating that this menu option is active. Then, use the Cursor Up or the Cursor Down arrow keys on the cursor keypad to adjust the number. Cursor Up increases the number, and Cursor Down decreases the number. When you have finished making adjustments, press [Enter] to accept the number displayed. The highlighted bar will now change back in color, indicating that this option is de-activated after you pressed [Enter]. If you now press the Cursor Up or Cursor Down arrow keys, you will be selecting different options on the Setup Menu. FORFEIT - POINTS/SECOND This option allows you to increase or decrease the point spread in the scores produced by the finish time and last quarter time calculations. A larger number here will cause a larger point spread between the fastest contender and the slowest contender, smaller numbers produce a tighter point spread. This forfeit is adjustable from 10 points per second to a maximum of half of either last quarter time scoring or finish time scoring - whichever is lesser. Select this option by pressing [Enter] when it is highlighted in blue on the Setup Menu. The highlighted bar will change in color, indicating that this menu option is active. Then, use the Cursor Up or the Cursor Down arrow keys on the cursor keypad to adjust the number. Cursor Up increases the number, and Cursor Down decreases the number. When you have finished making adjustments, press [Enter] to accept the number displayed. The highlighted bar will now change back in color, indicating that this option is de-activated after you pressed [Enter]. If you now press the Cursor Up or Cursor Down arrow keys, you will be selecting different options on the Setup Menu. POST POSITION STATISTICS - FORFEIT % This option allows you to increase or decrease the factor by which scores are reduced for the higher numbered post positions. The race track program schedule should publish its post position statistics. Statistics usually show that the higher numbered post positions produce significantly fewer wins than the lower numbered post positions. Forfeit percentage is adjustable from 0% to 50%. A higher number here will cause the high numbered post position to be further reduced, while smaller numbers cause less drastic reductions. Select this option by pressing [Enter] when it is highlighted in blue on the Setup Menu. The highlighted bar will change in color, indicating that this menu option is active. Then, use the Cursor Up or the Cursor Down arrow keys on the cursor keypad to adjust the number. Cursor Up increases the number, and Cursor Down decreases the number. When you have finished making adjustments, press [Enter] to accept the number displayed. The highlighted bar will now change back in color, indicating that this option is de-activated after you pressed [Enter]. If you now press the Cursor Up or Cursor Down arrow keys, you will be selecting different options on the Setup Menu. POST POSITION STATISTICS - POST POSITIONS ABOVE This option allows you to increase or decrease the post position above which scores are reduced by a factor. The race track program schedule should publish its post position statistics. Statistics usually show that the higher numbered post positions produce significantly fewer wins than the lower numbered post positions. The post positions affected are adjustable from 1 to 10. The number you select here should match highest post position in your race track program schedule with favourable statistics. Post positions up to and including this number will not have their score affected by the Post Position Forfeit percentage. Select this option by pressing [Enter] when it is highlighted in blue on the Setup Menu. The highlighted bar will change in color, indicating that this menu option is active. Then, use the Cursor Up or the Cursor Down arrow keys on the cursor keypad to adjust the number. Cursor Up increases the number, and Cursor Down decreases the number. When you have finished making adjustments, press [Enter] to accept the number displayed. The highlighted bar will now change back in color, indicating that this option is de-activated after you pressed [Enter]. If you now press the Cursor Up or Cursor Down arrow keys, you will be selecting different options on the Setup Menu. SAVE SETTINGS TO DISK This option allows you to save the current settings of the Setup Menu. The Setup settings are stored in a file called TRACKPRO.CFG. Each time TrackPro PC is started, it reads the settings from this file. Select this option by pressing [Enter] when it is highlighted in blue on the Setup Menu. The highlighted bar will change from blue to red, indicating that this menu option is active. On a monochrome monitor, the highlighted bar changes from inverse text to bold text on a lightly shaded background. No messages are displayed, but TrackPro PC then re-writes the configuration file with the current settings in the Setup Menu. The highlighted bar will now change back from red to blue, indicating that this option is de-activated. On a monochrome monitor, the highlighted bar changes back to inverse text. If you now press the Cursor Up or Cursor Down arrow keys, you will be selecting different options on the Setup Menu. [F10] THE EXIT MENU Strictly speaking, the Exit Menu is not exactly a menu. When you press [F10], a warning message appears approximately mid-screen as shown here: EXIT TO DOS ═══════════════════════════════════════ Press F10 to Exit, or press [ESC] to resume handicap session. If you wish to quit TrackPro PC, and exit to the operating system, normally MS-DOS, press the [F10] key. TrackPro PC will terminate, closing any files that are still open. The screen will then clear, and TrackPro PC leaves a brief closing message on the screen. If you do not wish to quit at this time, press the [Esc] key. WAGERING STRATEGIES For each race that is handicapped, TrackPro PC highlights the three highest scoring contenders. These three "selections" are also listed in the Status Display Window. Additionally, if you are printing the results, TrackPro PC indicates these three selections on the top line of the printed results for each race. Statistically, these are the most likely contenders to win, with the highest scoring contender the most probable winner. However, there is an element of random chance in every horse race. Some horses will outperform their past records, horses that are being raced too frequently will not measure up to their past performances, sloppy track conditions, interference or breaks can all lead to unpredictable results. No handicapping program can deliver 100% accuracy, but with TrackPro PC, you will greatly improve your chances at selecting the winners. You may wish to select only the highest scoring contender, and bet on this contender to win. You will come up with many winners in this manner, however, the pay-off for a win is generally not very high. In a similar manner, you may wish to cover the top three contenders to win, place or show. Again, the pay-off is usually not very high for these wagers. You may wish to wager on the top two contenders in an exactor wager, in which you must select the first and second place winners in the exact order that they finish in. An exactor wager can have a nice pay-off. My preferred strategy is to cover the top three contenders in exactor boxes. An exactor bet means you must select the winner and the second place winner in the exact order that they finish. An exactor box costs twice as much, but gives you the same two winners in either order. To box all three selections in either order requires six different combinations. Obviously, this increases your wagering stakes. However, my experience has been that if you cover exactor boxes in this manner, TrackPro PC will come through frequently enough to make your money back and more. The pay-off for an exactor is generally much higher than betting for win, place, or show. You may wish to cover a triactor bet in the same manner. A triactor bet means you must select the winner, the second place winner, and the third place winner in the exact order that they finish in. Again, to cover the top three contenders in a triactor box means their are six possible combinations that they could finish in, so your stakes are again high. Furthermore, the element of chance plays a bigger factor in triactors than in exactors, so you won't win as often. However, the pay-off for a triactor can be quite large, so this strategy may appeal to you. There are many more options, such as "wheels", and "keys" where you can cover a greater number of contenders - you select the winner in combination with several other contenders for second place and third place. Of course, the more combinations you are covering, the higher the stakes are. You must ultimately choose your own strategy for wagering, but you should be careful that you do not wager more than you can afford to lose. As pointed out before, no method is infallible. Use TrackPro PC wisely, and, if you find yourself winning, be kind enough to register the program. Fred Walker - "The Edge"