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1991-11-10
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Federal Hill Software Presents
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The Cambridge Greyhound Handicapper
User-Supported Version 4
(C)1991 by Leonard Hyre and Michael J. Himowitz
Distributed by Federal Hill Software
3722 Greenway Lane, P.O. Box 765
Owings Mills, MD 21117
410-356-5592
Contents
1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
1.1 New Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
1.2 About the Program and User-Supported
Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
1.3 System Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . 3
1.4 The Files on Your Disk . . . . . . . . . . 3
1.5 Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
1.6 Running The Program . . . . . . . . . . . 4
2 About Handicapping Systems . . . . . . . . . . 4
2.1 The Information You Need And Where to Get
It . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
3 Handicapping Principles . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
3.1 When to Bet on a Race . . . . . . . . . . 7
3.2 Eliminate Bad dogs . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
4 The Main Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
4.1 Setting Your Monitor Type . . . . . . . . 9
5 Handicap a dog . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
5.1 How to Fill in the Form . . . . . . . . 10
5.2 Specific Field Information . . . . . . . 11
5.3 When You're Through With a Form . . . . 13
5.4 How To Analyze a Race . . . . . . . . . 13
6 How to Bet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
6.1 Exotic Wagers . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
7 About the Enhanced Greyhound Handicapper . . 15
8 The Registration Form . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
9 Program Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
10 Limited Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
11 Mini-Catalog . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
12 Sample Handicapping Report . . . . . . . . . 22
13 Sample Dog Analysis (Enhanced Version) . . . 23
14 Registration Form . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
i
The Cambridge Greyhound Handicapper 4
User-Supported Version
(C)1991 By Leonard Hyre and Michael J. Himowitz
Distributed by Federal Hill Software
3722 Greenway Lane, P.O. Box 765
Owings Mills, Md. 21117
410-356-5592
1 Introduction
The Cambridge Greyhound Handicapper 4 is a powerful,
sophisticated tool that will allow you to handicap Greyhound
races quickly and easily. It's not a magic, get-rich-quick
scheme. But if you follow these instructions, impose some
discipline and use the handicapper wisely, you should be able to
improve your performance at the track and make money in the
process.
The Cambridge Handicapper is easy to use. All the
information you need is available in the race track program,
which is usually available the day before the race. Just fill out
a simple on-screen handicapping form for each dog in a race and
the program will assign a score to that dog. The higher the
score, the more likely the dog is to win. With a little practice,
you'll be able to handicap a race in a few minutes and a whole
card in less than an hour.
1.1 New Features
Version 4 adds Sex and Weight variables to our handicapping
formulas. It's common knowledge that males have a slight
advantage over females, and that larger dogs have a slight
advantage over smaller dogs. We've quantified this advantage and
included it in our calculations. However, we believe in progress
with an escape hatch. If you don't want to use Sex and Weight, we
now produce two scores for each dog, one with Sex and Weight
included and one without them.
1.2 About the Program and User-Supported Software
This program is distributed on a Shareware basis. This gives
you a chance to try it before you buy it. Shareware works to the
benefit of authors and users. Authors can bring their products to
market without the huge advertising and distribution costs of
normal retail channels (we've been that route, and this is much
better). Users get a chance to see whether a program meets their
needs before they put down their hard-earned money.
If you try the Greyhound Handicapper and to use it, we ask
that you register the program. The registration fee is $30. For
your money you'll get an Enhanced version of the program with
additional features that will make your handicapping even easier
and more accurate--including full race handicapping, printed
reports, save/recall and the WAGERMASTER betting analysis
program. We'll talk more about the enhanced version at the end of
these instructions.
This is a proven handicapper. Federal Hill Software has been
publishing Greyhound, Thoroughbred and Harness programs
commercially since 1983. You may have seen our advertisements in
magazines such as Compute, Compute's Gazette, Computer Shopper,
RUN, PCResource, Rainbow, PCM and others.
We have sold thousands of copies. The problem is that
skyrocketing advertising rates--the largest single cost of doing
business--eventually made it too expensive to market special
interest programs such as handicappers in general-interest
computer magazines.
So we did two things.
First, we rewrote the handicappers from top to bottom,
making them more attractive, quicker and even easier to use, with
full-screen data entry, on-line help, and revised rating formulas
that reflect our most recent research.
Second, we decided to put working versions of the IBM
handicappers directly in the hands of racing fans on a Shareware
basis.
The User-Supported version you have here is in no way
crippled. Some shareware companies do this as a come-on, but we
don't think that's fair. This User-Supported version uses exactly
the same handicapping formulas as our enhanced version and
produces the same results. You may use it and distribute it to
anyone. Give it away, post it on your local computer bulletin
boards, or put in in your user-group library. There are only a
few conditions. They are:
* The Cambridge Handicappers are copyrighted by the authors
and remain their intellectual property, protected by U.S.
and international copyright laws.
Cambridge Greyhound Handicapper 4 Page 2
* You may not distribute a modified version of this program.
* When you distribute the User Supported version, you must
include ALL the files on this disk (or in the group of
files which you de-archived). The program won't work
properly unless they're all there.
* If you are a shareware distributor or bulletin board
operator, you must indicate in your catalog or bulletin
board listing that this is a shareware or user-supported
program.
1.3 System Requirements
The Cambridge Greyhound Handicapper will run on any true
IBM-compatible computer with 384K of memory. All standard IBM-
compatible video adapters (MDA, CGA, EGA, MCGA, VGA and Hercules)
are supported.
There are a few older computers with which the program is
not compatible. They include the Tandy 2000, Sanyo 550 series,
IBM PCjr and IBM PC Convertible. These do not conform to IBM
video standards (Yes, even IBM made some non-compatible
machines). If you have one of these non-IBM compatible MS-DOS
computers, we do have an earlier version of the program which
will run on them. Contact us for information.
1.4 The Files on Your Disk
The Cambridge Greyhound Handicapper consists of the
following files:
HOUNDS4.BAT The batch file used to launch the program.
H4SW.EXE The handicapper executable program file.
H4SW.PAK Screen files used by the handicapper.
HOUNDS4.DOC The instruction manual.
SPEEDSCR.COM A screen driver used by the handicapper.
CAP.CFG Video configuration file.
README.COM Last minute information and instructions.
1.5 Installation
The Cambridge Greyhound Handicapper will run from either a
floppy or hard disk.
* To install the program on a hard disk, just create a
directory for the handicapper and copy all the files on
Cambridge Greyhound Handicapper 4 Page 3
your handicapper disk (or in your handicapper archive) to
that directory.
* To install the program on a floppy disk, just copy all of
the files above to the floppy from which you want to run
the program. To save space, you don't have to include the
instruction manual.
1.6 Running The Program
To run The Cambridge Greyhound handicapper, do the
following:
1. Put the disk with the program in Drive A or use the
"CHDIR" command to switch to the hard disk directory in
which the programs are stored.
2. Type HOUNDS4 and hit the ENTER key. This will load the
program.
DO NOT ATTEMPT TO LAUNCH H4SW.EXE directly. Use the
HOUNDS4.BAT file to do it. Here's why:
HOUNDS4.BAT first loads SPEEDSCR.COM, a memory resident
program which manages the screens used by the Cambridge Greyhound
Handicapper. Without SPEEDSCR, the program will not work. The
HOUNDS4.BAT file also removes SPEEDSCR from memory when you
terminate the handicapper program. While SPEEDSCR probably won't
cause difficulties if left in memory after you exit from the
handicapper, it can, under some circumstances, produce some
unusual if harmless results. So always start the program by
typing HOUNDS4 and hitting the ENTER key.
When you type HOUNDS4 and hit ENTER, your disk drive will
whir for a few seconds. At this point, you'll see a title screen
followed by a message explaining the handicapper's shareware
status. (We've removed that message from the enhanced version). A
few seconds later, the MAIN MENU will appear. Before you start
handicapping, however, please read the following sections that
describe handicapping systems and the information you'll need to
use the Cambridge Greyhound Handicapper.
2 About Handicapping Systems
A handicapping system does two things.
Cambridge Greyhound Handicapper 4 Page 4
* It attempts to predict a dog's performance in an upcoming
race by analyzing past performances in a consistent,
scientific manner.
* It provides you with a strategy for betting on races given
the outcome of your handicapping analysis.
As strange as it sounds, the true purpose of a handicapping
system is not to pick winners. The purpose of a handicapping
system is to give you a tool that will help you make money at the
track. Knowing how and when to bet is just as important as
analyzing the dogs.
There are as many handicapping systems as there are
handicappers. Some are quite good, others are worthless. Some
require hours or days of effort, some require only a few minutes
of preparation.
You don't really need a computer to handicap a race. There
are plenty of manual handicapping systems around, and some are
excellent. Unfortunately, they're often tedious and time-
consuming. A computer handicapping system takes the handicapper's
knowledge, sets up handicapping tables and rules internally, and
then makes calculations instantly.
We designed the Cambridge Greyhound Handicapper to provide a
blend of sophistication and ease of use for the race fan who
enjoys the sport but doesn't have hours and hours to devote to
handicapping. If you've never tried to handicap a race before,
you'll find this quite easy to use. If you're an experienced
handicapper, the information the system requires you to collect
will be just as useful as the ratings themselves. The program
will sharpen your own thinking and handicapping analysis.
2.1 The Information You Need And Where to Get It
To use The Cambridge Greyhound Handicapper, you must be
familiar with the information available to you in the track
program. The program is always available on the day of a race and
usually the day before.
The program contains two different pieces of information
you'll need. First, there's the "condition line," a table of of
information that shows the distance and class of each race and
provides information about about each dog's performance in the
last six to eight races. Second, the program contains a listing
of kennels and how much money each kennel has won.
Cambridge Greyhound Handicapper 4 Page 5
Here is the information you'll need about each dog:
1. The dog's box, or post position. This is the position
relative to the rail from which the dog will start the
race. The No. 1 dog will start next to the rail. The
higher the number, the further from the rail the dog will
start. Most Greyhound races are limited to eight dogs.
2. The Dog's Sex. For clarity, the program uses "M" for Male
or "F" for female. However, most track programs list the
dog's sex as "D" for males and "B" for females.
3. The Dog's Weight.
4. The date of the dog's last race on a fast ("ft") or sloppy
("sy") track. We will use sloppy tracks for rating
purposes, since they don't seem to affect dogs' times, but
it's not a good idea to bet on races being run on a sloppy
track. We're interested in this because dogs running after
a layoff of three weeks or more can be difficult to
handicap.
5. The Class or Grade of this race and the dog's previous
races. Classes vary from state to state, but generally
they run from "AA," which is the highest class, to "E,"
which is the lowest class. A class of "M" indicates a
Maiden race, which means none of the dogs running in that
race has ever won.
6. The dog's time in his last race at same distance he's
running tonight. This time is expressed in seconds and
hundredths. For most races, the time will be in the 28 to
34 second range, although marathons can go as high as 50
seconds.
7. The dog's position going into the first turn in his last
four races. This is important because a dog that gets out
in front early displays good strength and
maneuverability. Also, statistics show that dogs who
consistently get to the first turn at the front of the
pack have a better chance of winning than dogs who have to
come from behind.
8. Significant comments: These short comments show how the
dog ran each of his previous races. We are specifically
interested in comments indicating that the dog ran either
WIDE/OUTSIDE or went for the RAIL/INSIDE. This is
important when compared to the box from which the dog is
Cambridge Greyhound Handicapper 4 Page 6
starting, because a dog who likes to run inside will do
well if he's got an inside box but may be in trouble if
he's drawn an outside starting position, and vice versa.
Ignore comments showing that a dog was FORCED or BUMPED
wide or inside.
9. Was the dog a beaten favorite? This determines whether the
dog was the favorite last time out on a fast or sloppy
track and whether or not he won the race. If the dog was
the favorite, an asterisk (*) will appear next to the
dollar odds on the dog in the line containing the
information for the dog's last race. This is important
because a favorite who was beaten last time out will often
win this time around. Some track programs do not include
this information. If your track program doesn't have
beaten favorite information, you can ignore this field.
10. The record of the dog's kennel. We want to know whether
the kennel is in the top four money winners at the track.
3 Handicapping Principles
A computer can help you with handicapping calculations, but
there's no substitute for a little human judgment in the process.
The key to handicapping is knowing which races to bet (not every
race can be properly handicapped) and which dogs to eliminate
from contention before you start handicapping.
3.1 When to Bet on a Race
For any handicapping system to work, there must be a good
probability that the past performances of the dogs involved will
be reflected in their performance in the race you're
handicapping. Unfortunately, this isn't the case in every race.
At the very best tracks, almost every non-maiden race may be
handicappable. At tracks with lower-class dogs, you may only find
five or six races on a card that lend themselves to analysis.
Here are the guidelines we use:
* Don't bother going to the track and using this program if
the track condition is not "fast." An off track--good,
muddy, or sloppy--should be avoided. There's a good reason
for this. Dogs usually run on fast tracks. They train on
fast tracks. While some dogs may be good "mudders,"
there's no real way of knowing how they'll respond to bad
track conditions. Some dogs may love soft footing, others
Cambridge Greyhound Handicapper 4 Page 7
may hate it. The problem is that there's no way to tell
for sure. So stay away from off tracks.
* DON'T BET ON MAIDEN RACES. These are unproven or just
plain bad dogs, and most handicapping techniques are
useless when they're running.
* Don't bet on races featuring the cheapest dogs on the
grounds. These are old, bad or tired dogs who are
unpredictable. They may run well one week and terribly the
next. If you can't count on a dog's past performance to be
indicative of his performance today, you can't handicap
the dog.
These dogs usually show up in the first and last races of
a card, particularly at tracks where the overall quality
of dogs is not high. At the very best tracks, this rule
may not apply, since even the cheapest dogs could be
feature race material at lesser tracks. As a general rule,
avoid handicapping class "D" races if you can and forget
entirely about "E" races.
* Don't bet on races with a high proportion of "shippers." A
shipper is a dog running at a track for the first time.
You have no way of knowing how a dog will respond to a new
surface. If you run across a race in which a shipper looks
like a real contender, our advice is to pass it up. This
takes some discipline, but you'll be better off for it.
Also, any race with three or more shippers is probably a
bad bet. We realize that this will eliminate many stakes
races with high purses. While these are fun to watch,
they're not usually good handicapping propositions. You
can take consolation in the fact that the other races on
the same card with a high-purse stakes race are likely to
be good ones.
3.2 Eliminate Bad dogs
Once you have decided whether to bet a race, you can easily
eliminate certain dogs from contention. These will usually be
eliminated by the computer, but occasionally a really bad dog
will score highly. Take a few seconds to eliminate these first
and the system will work much better. Only at the very best
tracks will you have to handicap more than a half-dozen dogs in a
race.
* Eliminate any dog which has not raced in the last three
weeks. You have no way of knowing why this dog has been on
Cambridge Greyhound Handicapper 4 Page 8
vacation, but if an animal is running well, the trainer
will race him regularly. Time off is usually a bad sign.
This may not apply to the absolutely best-quality stakes
dogs, who race less frequently, but stakes races are bad
bets anyway.
* Eliminate any dog who did not show a strong performance
last time out. By this we mean a win, place or show, or
setting the early pace as the leader in fairly quick time.
If a dog showed none of these, forget him.
* Eliminate "shippers." These are dogs running at a track
for the first time. Once again, this may not be possible
in big stakes races, but we think these are difficult to
handicap anyway and should be avoided.
4 The Main Menu
When you run the Cambridge Greyhound Handicapper, you'll see
a menu with five choices. The choices are:
1. Handicap a dog
2. About the Enhanced Handicapper
3. Registration Form
4. Set Monitor Type
5. Quit the Program
The first choice will always be highlighted. To select any
choice, use your up and down arrow keys to move the highlight bar
to your choice and hit ENTER. Or, type the number opposite that
choice. We'll discuss the choices in order.
4.1 Setting Your Monitor Type
When you run Greyhound 4 for the first time, it will be
configured for a monochrome monitor. You can set it for a
monochrome or color display by choosing No. 4 (Set Monitor Type)
from the Main Menu.
You will be asked, Do You Have a Color Monitor? (Y/N)
* If you have a color monitor, type "Y".
* If you have a monochrome monitor or laptop with an LCD
screen, type "N".
Cambridge Greyhound Handicapper 4 Page 9
The program will save this information in the CAP.CFG file
on your disk. From this point on, it will start up in whatever
mode (monochrome or color) you last selected. You can change from
monochrome to color at any time.
5 Handicap a dog
When you choose this item, you'll be presented with a
handicapping form with blank, highlighted fields for the
information the program needs to analyze the dog. This is just
like filling in a paper form.
5.1 How to Fill in the Form
Type the requested information in each field and press the
ENTER key to go onto the next field. Some fields require single
keystroke entries (Such as a "Y" for yes or "N" for no). In this
case, just typing the character will send you to the next field.
You can correct information in any field by using the right
and left cursor keys and typing over the previously entered
information. The BACKSPACE key will move the cursor one character
to the left without deleting. To delete material, use the DEL
key.
You can move backwards and forwards from field to field
throughout the form by using the UP and DOWN cursor keys. When
you reach the bottom field, the DOWN cursor key will cycle you
back to the first field.
Some fields in the form are checked for errors. If you have
typed inappropriate information in a field, the program will
return your cursor to the field with the bad information and
display an error message at the bottom of the screen telling you
what the problem is.
As you go from field to field, the program will display a
"Help" message in the box at the lower left hand side of the form
telling you exactly what information is required for that field.
When you have finished entering all the information in a
form, you can exit from the form and get your handicapping
calculations by hitting the ESC key.
Cambridge Greyhound Handicapper 4 Page 10
5.2 Specific Field Information
Here's the information you need for each field.
1. Name: Type the dog's name and hit ENTER.
2. Sex: Type "M" or "D" for male. Type "F" or "B" for female.
If you use "D" or "B" (Greyhound racing's terminology for
Dog or Bitch), an "M" or "F" will appear in the field.
3. Weight: Type the dog's weight and hit ENTER.
4. Time: This is dog's final time in his last race at the
distance being run tonight. Enter the time in seconds and
hundredths, i.e., 31.24 or 30.49
5. Highest class in which this dog has raced: Look at the
entries for each of the six or eight races listed for this
dog. Find the highest class of race in which he has raced.
Some track programs refer to this as the GRADE of the
race. Then look at the HELP box on the screen. You will
see the following table of classes:
1> AA 3> B 5> D 7> M (Maiden)
2> A 4> C 6> E
Type the NUMBER opposite the letter representing the
highest class in which the dog has raced. For example, if
the dog's highest listed race was a Class B race, type 3.
Classes vary from state to state. Assume that Class AA
represents the highest class in your state.
6. Class of this race: Using the same table as above, type
the number opposite the letter which represents the class
of this race in the appropriate box. The Class or Grade of
the race is a large letter at the very top of the page
listing for each race. Some tracks refer to this as the
GRADE of the race.
7. Box: Enter the number of the box from which the dog is
racing today. This is the large number at the extreme left
hand side of the entry for each dog.
8. Inside comments: Look at the listing of comments for each
of the dog's last SIX races. Count the number of times the
words INSIDE or RAIL appear. Type the number in this box.
Do not count comments that say FORCED INSIDE or BUMPED
INSIDE.
Cambridge Greyhound Handicapper 4 Page 11
9. Outside comments: Look at the listing of comments for each
of the dog's last SIX races. Count the number of times the
words OUTSIDE OR WIDE appear. Type the number in this box.
Do not count comments that say FORCED OUTSIDE, FORCED
WIDE, BUMPED OUTSIDE or BUMPED WIDE.
Note: Some new greyhound tracks are steeply banked. This
tends to force the dogs to the inside. You may not see
many OUTSIDE comments at these tracks, but you will often
see MIDTRACK comments. Some users have had success by
interpreting these MIDTRACK comments as if they were
OUTSIDE comments. If your track is steeply banked, you may
want to try this to see how it works for you.
10. Turn position last four races: Look at the column labeled
"1/8" for the dog's last FOUR races. This shows where the
dog was running as the pack entered the first turn. For
each of these races, type the appropriate position number
in the appropriate box.
Note: The location of this column can vary from track
program to track program. If you have any doubts about it,
ask someone at the track which column shows the dog's
position going INTO the first turn.
11. Beaten favorite last time?: If the dog was the favorite
last time out on a fast or sloppy track but did NOT win
the race, type "Y" here. You can tell if a dog was the
favorite because there will usually be an asterisk (*)
next to the column showing the dollar odds on the dog for
that race. Not all track programs contain this
information. If yours doesn't have it, just type an "N" in
this field.
12. Top Kennel: Check the track program and find the listing
of kennels and their records. If the this dog's kennel is
in the top four, type "Y". If it isn't in the top four,
type "N".
13. Date of Last Race: This field is used only by the Enhanced
Greyhound Handicapper for reporting purposes. It is not
part of the handicapping score calculations. You can
ignore it.
14. Shipper: This field is used only by the Enhanced Greyhound
handicapper for reporting purposes. It is not part of the
handicapping score calculations. You can ignore it.
Cambridge Greyhound Handicapper 4 Page 12
5.3 When You're Through With a Form
Once you have entered all the information in the form (It
takes longer to read about it than to do it), and you're sure
it's correct, hit the ESC key.
The program will ask you, "Is This Information Correct?"
* If the information is correct, type "Y".
* If it isn't correct, type "N" and you will be returned to
the form, where you can correct the bad entry or entries.
Once you have indicated that the information is correct, the
numeric score of the dog will be displayed in the Help Window. It
will look like this:
The Rating of This Dog is 122-118
The scores will generally be numbers between 60 and 200,
although the best or worst dogs could go higher or lower.
* The first number is the dog's score WITH SEX and WEIGHT
variables figured in.
* The second number is the dog's score WITHOUT SEX and
WEIGHT variables.
The first score will usually be higher than the second,
although not always (Sex and weight variables may cancel each
other out, or they may not affect the basic score).
The program will then ask, "Do you want to handicap another
dog? (Y/N)."
* If you want to handicap another dog, type "Y" and a new
handicapping screen will be displayed.
* If you're finished handicapping, type "N" and you'll be
returned to the Main Menu.
5.4 How To Analyze a Race
To analyze a race, handicap each dog. When you're through
with each dog, write down the dog's name, box number and score
(The Enhanced version takes care of all this for you).
Cambridge Greyhound Handicapper 4 Page 13
When you're through, you'll have a list of dogs and numeric
scores.
THE HIGHER A DOG'S SCORE COMPARED TO THE OTHERS IN THE RACE,
THE MORE LIKELY THAT DOG IS TO WIN THE RACE.
For example, suppose these were the dogs and scores:
No. Name Score
--------------------------------
4 Paula's Dream 144-142
1 Big Bad Ike 142-138
5 BennyBear 136-136
7 Mom's Mink 122-118
8 Bag o' Bones 98- 96
6 Glue Factory 87- 85
In this case, the handicapper indicates that Paula's Dream is
most likely to win the race, although Big Bad Ike is quite close.
6 How to Bet
OUR RECOMMENDATION IS TO BET THE HIGHEST RATED DOG (the one
with the highest score) TO WIN AND PLACE.
This is the safest wager and the one most likely to put
money in your pocket over the long run.
As usual, there are exceptions to this rule. For example, in
the race above, suppose Paula's Dream is going off at less than
even money, but Big Bad Ike is going off at 4-1.
You're not going to make much if you bet on Paula's Dream,
but Big Bad Ike is so close in the scoring that he becomes a
better bet.
IF THE TOP TWO DOGS ARE ONLY A FEW POINTS APART AND THE
SECOND RATED DOG IS GOING OFF AT MUCH BETTER ODDS, YOU MAY
WANT TO BET THE SECOND-RANKED DOG.
This is one of the Cambridge Greyhound Handicapper's major
strengths. Because it rates dogs without regard to local betting
habits or prejudices, it will often spot undervalued dogs that
make sound wagers.
Cambridge Greyhound Handicapper 4 Page 14
Finally, at some tracks our customers have reported better
results by betting both the first and second-rated dogs to win.
This is particularly true if the handicapper ranks them closely,
neither is a strong favorite and the odds on both are relatively
good.
Determining how all of this works at your track takes some
trial and error. Before you plunk down your money for the first
time, handicap a couple of cards and see how the program works at
your track. Wagering patterns vary greatly from locality to
locality. Knowing when and how to bet is just as important as
selecting the right dog. It can make the difference between
winning and losing money at the track.
6.1 Exotic Wagers
You'll notice we haven't mentioned exotic wagers, such as
exactas, perfectas, triples and trifectas. That's because we
don't believe in them as a sound wagering strategy. Without going
into long explanations, just remember that it's tough enough to
pick a winner in a race, let alone a winner and two particular
losers. Tracks make a lot of their money from exotic wagers
because the return to the bettors is much lower than it is on
straight bets. We can virtually guarantee that you'll lose money
on any strategy that involves exotic bets. Stay away from them.
That's all you really need to know to get started.
Obviously, familiarity with your track conditions will help. But
even if you're new to dog racing, the Cambridge Greyhound
Handicapper will make race analysis easier and more accurate.
Remember that the most important factor in any handicapping
system is discipline and consistency. If you choose your races
wisely, apply the rules we've laid down and overcome the fan's
natural tendency to put down money on every contest, you'll be
able to turn a profit on your hobby.
7 About the Enhanced Greyhound Handicapper
Menu Choice 2 will show you a screen containing information
about the Enhanced version of this handicapping program, which
you'll get when you send in your registration fee. We think this
represents an outstanding buy. We've made major improvements in
the Enhanced Version 4. Here are some of the features you'll
enjoy:
Cambridge Greyhound Handicapper 4 Page 15
* Full Race Handicapping: You can handicap an entire race at
once--up to 16 dogs at a time. The program will display
your handicapping results, sorted from highest to lowest
scoring dogs.
* Point-and-Shoot Updating: At any time, you can add a dog,
delete a dog, or update the handicapping data for any
existing entry.
* Keep track of shippers and last race date: While this
doesn't effect the handicapping outcome, it will show you
how many shippers are in a race, how long it has been
since each dog last raced and how many dogs have had
layoffs of three weeks or more. Having this information
can help you alter your betting strategy or pass up a bad
race that you might otherwise have wasted money on.
* Save/Recall Races: You can save any race to disk and
recall it later to make changes, add dogs or delete them.
This is great for dealing with late scratches and other
changes.
* Printed Reports: You can print the full handicapping list,
showing scores and other information for each dog, or
print out detailed handicapping data for any dog.
* The WAGERMASTER--This alone could be worth the price of
registration. It will show you anticipated payoffs for a
wide variety of odds and win/place/show bets. It's great
for developing a wagering strategy or just plain
"whatiffing." In addition, The WAGERMASTER will show you
the combinations and permutations of bets on various dogs
for daily double, exacta/perfecta and triple/trifecta type
wagers. (We don't recommend exotic wagers, but we know you
all love them, so we'll at least make sure you get the
combinations right).
* Enhanced documentation. The instructions with the enhanced
version contain all the information you see here, plus a
detailed discussion of parimutuel betting and a strategy
for managing your money that will eliminate much of the
mystery and hopefully make you a wiser bettor.
Cambridge Greyhound Handicapper 4 Page 16
8 The Registration Form
This will make it even easier to register your program. When
you choose No. 3 from the Main Menu, you'll be presented with a
handicapper registration form. When you're finished filling out
the form, you can send it to your printer.
This form is good for the Cambridge Greyhound Handicapper,
Thoroughbred Handicapper and Harness Handicapper. You can
register one or more programs at the same time. The registration
fees are as follows:
1 Handicapper $30
Any 2 handicappers $50
All 3 handicappers $70
When you mail the form to us with your registration fee (We
also accept VISA and MasterCard), we'll ship you the enhanced
version(s) right away.
The Registration Form works just like the Handicapping form.
Here's how to fill out the form:
* Type your full name on the first line and hit ENTER.
* Type your street address on the second and third lines
(you can skip the third line if you only have a one-line
address). The City, State and Zip Code go in separate
blanks on the fourth line.
* Type of Payment: If you're paying by check or money order,
type a "Y" in the "Check/money order" box. If you're
paying by credit card, type a "Y" in the Credit Card Box.
Credit Card information: If you're paying by credit card,
type a "V" or "M" for Visa or MasterCard in the box
labeled "Type of Card." Then type your credit card number
and expiration date in the following blanks.
* Handicappers registered: Type a "Y" in the appropriate
blank for each handicapper you want to register,
Greyhound, Thoroughbred, or Harness.
When you're through entering the registration information,
hit the ESC key. You'll be asked if the information is correct.
* If it is correct, type "Y".
Cambridge Greyhound Handicapper 4 Page 17
* If the information is not correct, type "N" and you'll be
returned to the data entry screen.
Once you have confirmed that the information is correct,
you'll be asked if you want to print out the registration form.
* If you want to print the form, type "Y". You'll be
prompted to make sure your printer is on line and then
strike any key to print the registration form.
* If you don't want to print out the form, type "N" and
you'll be returned to the Main Menu.
Send the completed form with your registration fee to
Federal Hill Software, 3722 Greenway Lane, P.O. Box 765, Owings
Mills, MD 21117. Be sure to include your signature on the proper
blank if you're using a credit card. Note that foreign orders
must be payable in U.S. Funds. We ship free of charge to all
United States and Canadian addresses, FPO and APO numbers. There
is a $5.00 shipping charge for other foreign addresses.
A registration form is also included at the end of these
instructions. If you'd like to order any of our non-handicapping
programs (See our mini-catalog below), please use this form.
9 Program Notes
The Cambridge Greyhound Handicapper 4 was written and
compiled using the Microsoft Basic Professional Development
System. The data entry screens were created using the Screen
Sculptor (TM) and SpeedScreen (TM) utilities from the Software
Bottleworks. The SPEEDSCR.COM file distributed with this program
is licensed by Federal Hill Software from The Software
Bottleworks for distribution with Federal Hill programs and may
not be used with any other software.
10 Limited Warranty
The Registered (Enhanced) Version of The Cambridge Greyhound
Handicapper 4 is guaranteed to load and run as indicated in the
accompanying instructions. No other warranties of any kind are
made or implied, and Federal Hill Software will not be
responsible for any damage or loss resulting from the use of any
of its programs. In no case will Federal Hill Software's
Cambridge Greyhound Handicapper 4 Page 18
liability exceed the purchase price of the program. With respect
to the Shareware Version of this program, no warranties of any
kind are made or implied.
Cambridge Greyhound Handicapper 4 Page 19
11 Mini-Catalog
Federal Hill Software has been publishing high-quality programs
since 1983. Here are the programs we offer and their prices. If
you'd like to order, you can fill out the registration form at
the end of this manual.
The Cambridge Greyhound Handicapper 4
Greyhound racing is one of the fastest-growing sports in
America, and our newest release will add to the fun. Factors
include speed, class movement, speed at turn, box position,
inside-outside running tendencies, sex, weight, beaten favorite
and kennel ranking. We've also added point-and-shoot updating,
the capability to save a race to disk and recall it, and enhanced
reporting. Requires 384K of memory and will run from a floppy
disk. Registration fee is $30.
Cambridge Thoroughbred Handicapper 5
Version 5 is an entirely new release that includes a full
relational database to track handicapping data and wagering
results. Handicapping formulas have also been updated. Factors
include half-mile and final time, lengths behind, weight carried,
jockey record, post position, speed rating, track variant, class
and beaten favorite. Requires 640K of memory and a hard disk or
high-density (720K or better) floppy. For best performance, an
AT-class or higher computer with an 80286 or 80386 processor is
recommended. Registration fee is $50.
Cambridge Thoroughbred Handicapper, Version 4.5
This new release includes the updated formulas in Version 5,
point and shoot updating and race save/recall, without the
relational database or heavy-duty hardware requirements. Factors
include half-mile and final time, lengths behind, post position,
weight carried, jockey record, speed rating, track variant, class
and beaten favorite. Requires 384K of memory and will run from a
floppy disk. Registration fee is $30.
Cambridge Harness Handicapper
The Trotters are tricky, but with the Harness handicapper,
you'll have the winner's edge. Factors include half-mile and
final times, post position, stretch gain, parked-out signs,
driver record, and class movement. Requires 256K of memory and
will run from a floppy disk. Registration fee is $30.
Cambridge Greyhound Handicapper 4 Page 20
Video Blakjak!
Learn how to play Blackjack and win--the fun way! This full
casino blackjack simulation puts you heads up against the dealer
with an entertaining and informative set of tools to help you
learn the game. Practice basic and advanced card-counting
strategies and test them out--or just have fun! Our unique
Strategy Construction kit lets you develop your own card counting
system and test it without risking a penny! Vary the rules to
match any casino. On-screen help shows you the right play and
vital statistics at the press of a key. Instructions include
discussions of blackjack fundamentals and strategy. Requires 384K
of memory and will run from a floppy disk. All video cards OK.
Registration fee is $30.
Baseball Statpak 4
The latest release of this favorite will bring big-league
statistical power to your little league, school team, senior
league or company softball league. Track 14 different stats,
including AB, Hits, Avg., RBI's, Home Runs, Doubles, Triples,
Strikeouts, Walks, Errors, On-base Pct. and Slugging Pct. Sort by
any stat for terrific printed and screen reports. Track any
number of leagues, with up to 250 players on 12 teams in each
league. Full league management features include names, addresses,
age and skill ratings for each player. Makes drafting a snap!
Print rosters and mailing labels for the whole league or any
team. Requires 384K and any video adapter. Will run from a single
floppy disk. Registration fee is $30.
Cambridge Greyhound Handicapper 4 Page 21
12 Sample Handicapping Report
This is a sample of a handicapping report produced by the
Enhanced Greyhound Handicapper 4:
==============================================================
Cambridge Greyhound Handicapper Rating Report
TRACK: WHEELING DOWNS DATE: 05/23/91 No. 5
SAMPLE RACE
===========================================================
DOG RATING SX WT CL LAY ODDS BF KN SH
===========================================================
2 BILLY BOY 124-116 M 75 U 12 2-1 N Y N
1 FEDERAL HILL 112-110 M 52 D 13 3-1 Y Y N
3 IRVING 95- 87 M 62 U 14 4-1 N N N
7 GERIATRIC 94- 94 F 60 D 24* 5-1 N Y Y
2 IKE'S PAL 88- 88 F 52 S 19 8-1 Y Y Y
4 FREDDIE'S PAL 83- 79 M 55 S 10 10-1 N Y N
3 BENNYBEAR 68- 64 M 56 D 8 10-1 N N N
8 MOM'S MINK 63- 61 M 52 D 22* 10-1 N Y N
==========================================================
Total Shippers: 2
Dogs with layoff of 21 days or more: 2
==========================================================
The Cambridge Greyhound Handicapper 4
==========================================================
Cambridge Greyhound Handicapper 4 Page 22
13 Sample Dog Analysis (Enhanced Version)
This is a sample of a dog analysis report produced by the
Enhanced Greyhound Handicapper 4.
============================================================
Cambridge Greyhound Handicapper Dog Analysis
Report Date: 05-27-1991
Dog: 2 BILLY BOY
============================================================
Track: GOLDEN GATE
Date of race: 05/23/91
Race No. 5
Comments: THIS A RACE
DOG: BILLY BOY
Last raced: 05/11/91
Box: 2
Sex: M
Weight: 75
Time last race: 30.25
Highest Class: AA
Class Today: A
Inside Comments: 3
Outside Comments: 1
Turn Positions (Last Four Races): 4 1 3 1
Beaten Favorite: N
Top Kennel: Y
Rating with Sex/Weight: 124
Rating W/O Sex/Weight : 116
============================================================
Your Record-keeping Information
============================================================
CTH Odds:
Final Odds:
Finish:
Win payoff:
Place payoff:
Show payoff:
Cambridge Greyhound Handicapper 4 Page 23
14 Registration Form
Please register the following Programs:
QUAN. PROGRAM PRICE EXT.
==============================================================
___ Greyhound Handicapper $30.00 _________
___ Thoroughbred Handicapper 5 $50.00 _________
___ Thoroughbred Handicapper 4.3 $30.00 _________
___ Harness Handicapper $30.00 _________
___ Video Blakjak! $30.00 _________
___ Baseball Statpak 4.0 $30.00 _________
Total: _________
==============================================================
Your Name: __________________________________________________
Address: __________________________________________________
City: ____________________________ ST ____ ZIP ______________
Phone: _____________________________________
==============================================================
Type of Disk: ( ) 5.25" ( ) 3.5 "
Type of Payment: ( ) Check/M.O. ( ) Visa ( ) MasterCard
Card No. __________________________________ Exp. Date _________
Signature: ___________________________________________________
Note: Register any program at the regular price and take $10 off
the price of each additional program you order.
Send this form to Federal Hill Software, 3722 Greenway Lane, P.O.
Box 765, Owings Mills MD 21117. Foreign orders must be payable in
U.S. funds.
Cambridge Greyhound Handicapper 4 Page 24
