HorseRacingUSA.com
Speed/Pace Handicapping with
WINNING AT THE TRACK
Quick HELP for WATT Users
Using the DATABASE Transfer Program,
help with BRIS, or solving other problems
Need help installing Winning at the Track (WATT)?
WATT now operates in both Windows and DOS! Here are a few details: The Windows Version.
Yes, the Windows version will offer sharp graphics and a few new features! Also, for serious handicappers, the Windows version can operate at the same time the DOS version is operational, or visa versa. Both programs have essentially the same format. All WATT programs work in Win95, Win98, 2000, XP, Vista, and Windows 7. Like many established programs, Winning at the Track will run on the new Windows 7 system if the DOSBox (free download) program (or Microsoft's "XP Mode") is installed.
Installing the WATT tutorial, step-by-step, can be seen here: Install
Why continue to sell a DOS-based program today? The answer is easy ... because we have thousands of customers who love it! And yet the ONLY criticism one will ever hear about WATT is that "it's DOS-based." Oh, horsefeathers! If the DOS version is easy to use, if it's good, and it works, why worry? Anyone capable of typing two words, TRANSFER and DESKTOP, can master the DOS segments of Winning at the Track!
The Home Page (lower left corner) of HorseRacingUSA.com tells what you'll need to know about DOS and about the WATTdos installation procedure. Read the HowTo.PDF file and print it. Don't be surprised if you find youself enjoying both versions, DOS and Windows. Both are highly sophisticated programs that are easy to use.
If there is a question or problem regarding WATT, call us at (954) 426-9677. We support our software!
The Database Program and How it Works:
The Winning at the Track DATABASE software has two primary functions: 1) To Transfer data from data source files that have been received from Bloodstock Research (BRIS); or 2) To Store the history of individual horses if the user wishes to do so. The Transfer segment, however, accounts for 95% of its use.
The DATABASE Transfer segment is used to create WATT race files with BRIS data files (their "Single File" .DRF format). So, in this case, the DATABASE is not used for entering data, but only as a means of deciding which data to keep, or which to delete. Thus, a new WATT race file (one race card for one track) can be made in ten only seconds (or ten minutes for those who want to eliminate certain data) for only $1.00 per race card. And, typically, a data source file can be received well in advance -- Thursday night or Friday for Saturday's races. WATT handicappers especially appreciate the total control they have with data entry!
Using BRIS Data Source Files in the DATABASE Transfer Program:
Here is a quick explanation of the DATABASE: The Database
The DATABASE was written to accommodate various data sources. Most used is BRIS. Now that CSW has decided to no longer offer horse racing files, LPC may be adding yet another data service company in its future WATT editions. In the meantime, for ex-CSW subscribers who plan to use BRIS data source files in their Winning at the Track DATABASE "Transfer" program, here are the details...
The BRIS download service is located on the internet at BRISNET.com. When you visit that site, go to the "Selections, Programs & PP's" section (top left). Go to the Software Data Files table and then find the Past Performance "DRF Data File (single)" entry on the lower portion of their list. The file you want will be a single, comma delineated file, about 400k in size and will have a .DRF extension after it is decompressed. It will be named as such: An Aqueduct file for March 25 would be called AQU0325.DRF. However, the BRIS file first arrives in a "zip" format (a compressed file with a .ZIP extension). In this specific example, Bris would name this file AQU0325k.ZIP (we call this the "k" file because the proper zip file always has a "k" as part of the name). Therefore, before the DATABASE Transfer program can accept the DRF file, this zip file must be decompressed (see below). The Transfer program will not accept the "k" (zip) file -- only the DRF file.
IMPORTANT:
Most WATT users download the BRIS "k" file into the TRACK directory and then later delete the old BRIS files. The most common error WATT users encounter is an improper download from Bloodstock. The "k" file must be downloaded into the TRACK folder. So, when you are downloading from BRIS, be sure that the file is being directed into the TRACK directory and nowhere else!
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If you are an active handicapper using BRIS frequently and want to build an archive of past performance data files that can be used over and over, here is another downloading approach to consider...
1) Create a download folder on your "C" drive for receiving the BRIS files. We suggest naming the empty directory BRIS. 2) If you don't have it, obtain a PKUNZIP file from either Bloodstock or LPC. For those who have purchased WATT updates recently, note that the PKUNZIP program is also included. Copy the small PKUNZIP file into your BRIS directory and use the program to decompress any files received from BRIS. Once you have the PKUNZIP program, opening the .ZIP files will be easy. 3) Next, just copy the DRF files into the TRACK folder where the DATABASE is located.
When you download a .ZIP file into your TRACK (or BRIS) folder, your "path" will be as follows...
C:\Track\AQU0325k.ZIP or C:\Bris\AQU0325k.ZIP
After the .ZIP file is downloaded into the TRACK or BRIS folder, type: PKUNZIP AQU0325k.ZIP. This will open the file and produce the file your DATABASE Transfer program needs -- AQU0325.DRF. Once the DRF file is in your TRACK folder, you are ready to make your WATT file. When you open the DATABASE program it will ask for two things:: "Enter BRIS File Name." Next, it will ask you to name your new WATT file. Using the same example from above, we suggest that you name the file: 3-25-11.aqu for reasons that will be readily apparent later.
By making the WATT files yourself with this process you are doing something no other software program offers. You can decide which data goes into each horse's History Worksheet and which does not. As most experienced racegoers know, with computer handicapping, it's "garbage in, garbage out." This is one big reason why Winning at the Track is superior to every other speed/pace handicapping program available today! It is not absolutely necessary to remove unwanted data, but most users want to have that choice.
* * *
Be sure to read and print the DATABASE.doc file found in your TRACK folder. These are the official DATABASE instructions, only 6-7 pages long. The file is also available in a PDF format. For WATT users who have not yet had the opportunity to review the instructions, you can do so now: DATABASE.pdf.
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That's all there is to it! Once you've done this a few times, the process for an entire race card, including the data selection, should take only about ten minutes.
Bloodstock's local phone number is: (606) 223-4444 -- or use (800) 354-9206 to set up an account.
WATT Questions? Call LPC's offices at (954) 426-9677 - Jeff Little, Publisher
Still having a problem with BRIS?
For the computer novice, here is more BRIS Help (a PDF file that can be printed)... For the Novice.
To repeat, when WATT users are having problems, it is usually because the BRIS files are sent into the wrong folder. The directory (folder) is usually labeled TRACK (sometimes BRIS). Know where your files are going!
Before you download a file from BRIS, go to "Local Disc C:" then open the TRACK (or BRIS) folder...
The file should be downloaded and opened in the same directory (TRACK) where the DATABASE program is located. For most users, that path will be C:\TRACK (not C:\MyDocuments\TRACK or anything else). Some people download the BRIS files to a "Bris" directory for archive reasons. But, ultimately, the .DRF file (after the zip file is opened) must be copied into the same folder as the DATABASE (i.e., into the TRACK folder) or the DATABASE program will not function.
The rule is simple: Know where your program is located (the TRACK folder) and where the files are going!
Adding "Notes" to the Name Line:
Personal "Notes" and other notations can be added to each horse's name line if
desired. This additional handicapping feature will not change the PM Rating, but it
will allow the user to modify the printouts and display additional useful information.
To add the "Notes" just hit Alt-A on the name line of any horse.
See the PM Table help section as well as the help section of the Pace Analyst.
Printing Problems
LPC still sells DOS-based programs. Any customer who has a new, Windows-only printer could encounter a problem printing DOS-based software such as WATT. Of course, printing with the Windows version will eliminate this headache. So, the user has three choices ...
(1) Do all printing in the Windows version.
(2) Own a printer capable of printing Windows and DOS.
Our customers tell us that the best printer is the Brother HL 1440 (laser, B&W only) that retails for $149.95 in Office Max and other locations. We've tested the printer and concur. Using a parallel port cable, it is excellent. The cartridges are expensive, $50, but they last for 6,000 copies and the print output is FAST. The next-best printer is the HP (inkjet) Deskjet printer. For those who can use older printers, we recommend any of the older models of the Okidata series (the Microline 320 is very fast, inexpensive, and good). Needless to say, with the Windows version, this is no longer a problem.
(3) Users unhappy with their printers can download a shareware (free) program called "PrintDeskTop" that will allow any printer not capable of printing DOS-based programs to do a simple print-screen without the normal Windows "cutting and pasting" (a time-consuming process that is a major disadvantage to Windows).
This is a good, easy-to-install program that allows new non-compatible printers to run a simple, old-fashioned "print-screen" function. This program is downloaded into an empty folder and is installed quickly.
www.PrintDesktop.com and www.PrintDesktop.com/shortcut.htmPlease note -- LPC is not the publisher of this
program. We like it, but we cannot assume responsibility for the program or its
operation. And we do not provide customer support for it.
Any other WATT Questions? Call LPC's offices at (954) 426-9677
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