Free Our Stats
Great read today from Ray Paulick at the Paulick Report.
over 1 year ago
Matt Gardner
3 comments
0 recs |
Email
PrintComments
Racing stats..
I’ve been toying around with a post about this subject for a while (because this has been one of my big gripes with the industry for a long time), but this article hit the nail on the head so well that there isn’t much to add.
The biggest bit of information that needs to be freed, in my mind, is the results and result charts. There is no need for things such as fractions, final time, order of finish, and race information to be something people have to pay for. Past performances that have proprietary things like Beyer figures, pace figures, etc….okay, that’s fine to make people pay for it; people should be rewarded for their work. But basic past performances, race results, running lines, and charts are like boxscores and should be treated as such.
I can go on-line right now and download an excel file of every single individual player season for every year of Major League Baseball in a matter of seconds (Sean Lahman’s Baseball Archive)…but finding data like that for racing is next to impossible.
Keeneland, however, is starting to see the light and provides an excellent resource to players with their Polycapping database. It’s not everything, but it’s a move in the right direction.
"A bad day at the track is better than a good day at the office."
I Could Not Agree More...
From the very beginning of my horseplaying, I have been bothered by the fact that paying for PP’s is necessary. And I feel if the information were more readily available to the public, it would have a great effect on the sport. I am thankful that BRISNET doesn’t charge for programs when one wagers through Twin Spires (you have to make sure your accounts at both sites are linked), and I frequent this link: http://www.horse-races.net/library/links-pastperformances.htm if I feel like handicapping and don’t want to pay for it. Not every race is available, of course, but by clicking on each trainer and/or stable, I can usually find a couple I like.
Also, Matt, charts are free at equibase. Historical charts are now available, as well. (I know this because before last Breeder’s Cup, I printed out the results of each race dating back to like 1991). I print out the chart of every race on which I have done my math. I also think it would be a great idea if the PP sites would make a horse’s lifetime PP’s free once the horse retires.
Now is the time boys to make a big noise.
No matter what the people say,
For there is naught to fear, the gang's all here,
So hail West Virginia, hail.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
