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1994-01-06
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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
! !
! TURF.v93-1.00 Thoroughbred Handicapping System !
! Copyright (c) 1994 by H. Andrew Solomon !
! !
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
INTRODUCTION
Welcome to the TURF.v93 Thoroughbred Handicapping System!
This is the TURF.v93 READ.ME file. It contains important
information about the TURF.v93 Thoroughbred Handicapping
System. Read this file in its entirety before proceeding.
If you would like to print this file, type:
COPY READ.ME PRN:
at the DOS prompt.
ABOUT THE TURF.v93 PROGRAM
The TURF.v93 Thoroughbred Handicapping System is a powerful
and highly advanced, highly sophisticated, yet easy-to-use,
thoroughbred race handicapping system. It combines sound,
well-established race handicapping principles with scientific
statistical analysis methodology, applied to years' worth of
actual race data, to create a handicapping tool which can
be used at race tracks, from Belmont Park to the county
fair, at OTB or anywhere thoroughbreds are racing and a
Daily Racing Form or similar publication is available.
It includes a full-screen data entry system, with on-line,
context-sensitive help, and a rating capability which will
help even the novice race-goer predict the outcome of
thoroughbred races.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
The author is a professional Software Engineer (a fancy name
for Computer Programmer) who has been programming computers
since before PCs even existed. His first handicapping program
was written on punch cards in a batch job entry mainframe
environment. He has worked for years as a defense contractor,
writing programs for highly sophisticated, high-tech defense
and intelligence projects. His experience in handicapping
horse and dog races dates back even further than that, having
patronized and collected race data for many years from a
variety of tracks as diverse as Garden State and Atlantic
City to Churchill Downs and Keeneland to Turf Paradise and
the county fairs of Arizona, as well as Greyhound tracks in
both Florida and Arizona and Jai-Alai frontons in Florida.
He has combined his many years of experience in high-tech
computer programming and scientific statistical analysis
methodology with sound, well-established handicapping
principles to create this powerful, yet easy-to-use,
automated handicapping system.
ABOUT VERSION 1.00
Don't be misled by the version number; this is not a new
program. This is the same program the author has been
using as his personal handicapping system for years. It
has been debugged, tested and put to use in the real world,
i.e. at the race track. Real money has been wagered based
on the predictions from this program. You too can be
confident that with the TURF.v93 system as your handicapping
tool, your hard-earned money is not being thrown away. You
will have a definite edge over all the other bettors who are
still wagering "by the seat of their pants" or using old-
fashioned handicapping methods to support their selections.
And just in case you're one of those people who might wonder
why, if this system is so good, would the author decide to
sell it to others and not keep all the valuable information
provided by it to himself? A good question! It just so
happens that, at the time of this writing, the author lives
in a small town in Arizona which doesn't have a race track.
The nearest racing is a long drive away and the author can't
get there as often as he might like. His misfortune; your
gain.
ABOUT RACE HANDICAPPING
Having said all that about the power of the TURF.v93 system
to predict races, a reality check is in order. No handi-
capping system, including TURF.v93, is magic. This is not
a crystal ball which can peer into the future and guarantee
its user great wealth from race wagers. What the TURF.v93
system is, in fact, is a powerful predictor of the PROBABLE
outcome of races. It examines multiple factors regarding
the race being run, the entries in the race and the recent
past performance history of those entries, and weighs those
factors to compute the PROBABILITY of each entry winning
the race. Remember that some races cannot be handicapped.
Some races are won by animals that seem to have no business
running, let alone winning. Some runners that seem to be
head and shoulders above the rest of the field - a "lock" -
don't come in. Some wagers that actually do win don't pay
enough even to cover the amount of the wager. There is no
substitute for sound human judgement. Don't throw money
around like you expect to win every race you handicap or
profit on a wager which is a bad investment. Pick and
choose your wagers wisely. Remember, the ultimate goal of
race handicapping is not to be able to brag about how many
winners you can predict, but to profit on the wisdom of
your selections over the selections of the other bettors.
The TURF.v93 system is a powerful tool which can provide
the confidence for its users to do that, but the sound
human judgement part is left to each user to exercise.
WARRANTY
This program is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind,
expressed or implied. The author cannot be responsible for
any damage or loss, indirect or consequential, resulting from
the use of this program.
BACKING UP THE TURF.v93 MASTER DISK
Please be sure to make a backup copy of the master disk before
proceeding with installation. This is your safety net in case
anything should ever happen to your original disk. In case of
an accident, you'll be glad you have it.
To make a backup copy:
>Type:
DISKCOPY A: A:
and press ENTER. Follow the prompts, inserting the TURF.v93
master disk when the SOURCE disk is requested and your backup
disk when the TARGET disk is requested. When the copy is
completed, press "N" for "No More Copies". (If you have two
floppy disk drives you may be able to substitute the command:
DISKCOPY A: B:
for the above.) See your DOS manual for more details on the
DISKCOPY command.
INSTALLING THE TURF.v93 PROGRAM
The TURF.v93 master disk contains the following files:
TURFV93.EXE - the automated installation program,
READ.ME - a quick-start, informative introduction to
the TURF.v93 system (this file), and
README.BAT - a simple listing utility to assist in the
reading of the READ.ME file.
If you have the ShareWare distribution disk for the TURF.v93
system, your master disk should also contain the files:
REGISTER.DOC - the program registration form,
UPGRADE.DOC - the version upgrade registration form, and
VENDOR.DOC - the program distribution information file.
The following is the recommended procedure for installing
your TURF.v93 system on a hard drive; you may need to taylor
it somewhat to your particular needs:
>At the DOS prompt, create a subdirectory called TURF.
To do this, type:
MD \TURF
and press ENTER.
>Go to the subdirectory you just created by typing:
CD \TURF
and pressing ENTER.
>Insert the TURF.v93 master disk in drive A and type:
A:TURFV93
and press ENTER.
(If you use drive B for your installation disk,
substitute "B:" for "A:")
>When the installation is complete, your TURF directory
will contain at least the following files:
TURF.EXE - the TURF.v93 program executable file,
TURF.HLP - an on-line help file,
TURF.TRK - a directory of American thoroughbred
race tracks,
READ.ME - a quick-start, informative introduction to
the TURF.v93 system (this file),
README.BAT - a simple listing utility to assist in the
reading of the READ.ME file, and
TURF.DOC - the TURF.v93 operations manual.
If you have the ShareWare version of the TURF.v93 system,
your TURF directory will also contain the files:
REGISTER.DOC - the program registration form,
UPGRADE.DOC - the version upgrade registration form, and
VENDOR.DOC - the program distribution information file.
If you have the enhanced TURF(Plus).v93 system version,
your TURF directory will also contain the files:
TURFREVU.EXE - the TURF_REVIEW program executable file,
TURFREVU.DOC - the TURF_REVIEW operations manual,
HOL34160.08 - a sample Race Data File,
SAMPLE.DIR - a sample Race Data Directory File,
SHOWDATE.EXE - the SHOW_DATE utility for translating
encoded dates, and
SHOWDATE.DOC - the SHOW_DATE utility operations manual.
Your TURF.v93 system is now ready for use. Store your
original disk in a safe, clean place.
CONFIGURING YOUR SYSTEM
Depending on how your system is configured for video display,
you may need to install the video driver ANSI.SYS. You will
know if your system requires ANSI.SYS if, when you start the
program, you get "garbage" (actually "Escape sequences") all
over your screen instead of neat, organized display. The
basic procedure for installing ANSI.SYS is to include the
following command in your CONFIG.SYS file:
DEVICE=ANSI.SYS
You may need to include a "path" to ANSI.SYS if your system
can't otherwise find it. See your DOS manual for more details
on the installation of ANSI.SYS.
RUNNING THE PROGRAM
Start the program from the TURF subdirectory. If you are
not certain which directory you are in currently, type:
CD \TURF
and press ENTER. Now simply type:
TURF
and press ENTER.
(The program assumes, by default, it is talking to a color
monitor. If you have a monochrome monitor, or you expe-
rience display problems, replace the "TURF" command with:
TURF /NC
and the program will proceed on the assumption it is now
talking to a monochrome monitor.)
GETTING ON-LINE HELP
Typing "?" at any time during the running of the program
accesses the context-sensitive on-line help utility. The
current data entry field is explained in full at the touch
of a keystroke. Press the ENTER key to page through the
help screens for the current topic and then to return to
the current data entry screen. (The help function may be
aborted by pressing the ESCAPE key.)
Typing "?" a second time accesses the general program
operation help screen. This screen summarizes the special
key functions available for data entry and editting.
If you are a first-time user of the TURF.v93 program, it
would be a good idea to take the time to invoke the HELP
utility for each entry, or until you are comfortable with
the data entry system.
SHAREWARE
If you have a registered version of TURF.v93, you may skip
these sections of the documentation. This information is
directed at those users who are using the limited-use, trial
version of the system.
Your version of the TURF.v93 Thoroughbred Handicapping System
is user-supported software, or ShareWare. That is, it is not
free software. It is copyright (c) 1994 and the intellectual
property of its author. Non-registered users are granted a
limited license to use the TURF.v93 system on a trial basis
for the purpose of determining whether it is a suitable product
for their needs. Use of the TURF.v93 system, except for this
limited purpose, requires registration. Use of non-registered
copies of TURF.v93 by anyone is strictly forbidden.
All users are free to copy and distribute the trial version of
the TURF.v93 system for the trial use of others subject to a
few restrictions:
>TURF.v93 must be copied in unmodified form, complete with
all licensing and registration information.
>No fee, beyond a nominal handling charge, is charged for its
use, copying or distribution.
Distributors should read the file VENDOR.DOC for more details.
REGISTRATION
A TURF.v93 registration provides the user license to use the
system on a regular basis. Not only does this registration
fulfill a legal obligation for users who wish continued use
of the product, but it supports the ShareWare system of user-
supported software. Without user support for products, the
authors of this and other programs cannot afford to upgrade
and enhance their programs, not to mention create new programs
for public use.
Beyond issues of legality and clear conscience, however, there
are further benefits to registering the TURF.v93 program.
>You will be eligible for technical support. If you have any
questions regarding the operation of the TURF.v93 system,
feel free to write. (Sorry, mail support only. This staff
of one couldn't possibly afford the time to provide phone
support and still program the computer, not to mention go
to work and occasionaly spend time with the kids.) Comments
and suggestions are always welcomed.
>You will be able to upgrade to an enhanced version of the
TURF.v93 system - TURF(Plus).v93. For just a few extra
dollars, you will be sent this enhanced version which con-
tains increased capability over the trial version. (Rest
assured the trial version is in no way a "crippled" version
of TURF.v93; the identical full-screen data entry system,
on-line help facility and scientific race prediction formulas
are available in each. TURF(Plus).v93 is simply a superset of
the trial version.)
TURF(Plus).v93 will, first of all, bypass those introductory
and sign-off screens which, after you've read them once or
twice, you really don't need to see again. More importantly
though, the enhanced version contains a data save/restore
function which will permit you to save all the race data
you've entered into the system. The trial version does not
save your data. With the TURF(Plus).v93 enhanced system:
>>You can store files containing all the races you'll ever
handicap. With these files, you can review race predic-
tions after the race has been run. You can update your
original data entries (for instance, to revise "added
weight", a value not available until post time) and rerun
your predictions to monitor the effect. You can store with
your race data, the results of the races you've handicapped,
including pari-mutual prices. And you won't have to retype
the entire race data to do all this because the data restore
function will reload the race for you. With the addition of
the TURF_REVIEW program, described below, you can even keep
a running accounting of how your program is doing, race
after race, day after day, year after year.
>>You will be sent an additional program called TURF_REVIEW.
TURF_REVIEW keeps a running account of how your handicapping
system is doing. You can review 1 race or hundreds of races
just by entering the name of a Race Data File, which has
been saved by your enhanced TURF(Plus).v93 program, or a
directory of Race Data Files. You will then see a composite
tally of how many winners your program has picked, as well
as how many places or shows, how many Quinellas, Exactas or
Trifectas, and even how successful it has been picking by a
variety of boxing and wheeling strategies. This could be a
valuable quide to how you might wish to bet on future races.
>>You will be sent an additional utility program called
SHOWDATE which converts dates to and from the unique,
5-digit date code used in the naming of Race Data Files.
>>You will be sent full, printable documentation on both the
TURF(Plus).v93 and TURF_REVIEW programs.
A registration form is included with the TURF.v93 package for
your convenience. Please print the file REGISTER.DOC by typing:
COPY REGISTER.DOC PRN:
at the DOS prompt. Fill in the form and send with required
registration fee to:
Second Career Software
P.O. Box 283
Sierra Vista, AZ 85636-0283
Please write all information clearly.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
! !
! Thank you for trying the TURF.v93 Thoroughbred Handicapping !
! System. May all your trips to the race track be profitable !
! from now on. !
! !
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!