Ask the Experts

General Category => Ask the Experts => Topic started by: FrankD. on August 06, 2012, 06:00:31 AM

Title: Monday
Post by: FrankD. on August 06, 2012, 06:00:31 AM
Fast and Yielding 3 & 10 are off the turf.
Inner   9 ft
Mellon 18 ft
Title: Re: Thoro-Graph Form Ratings
Post by: xpfc on August 06, 2012, 02:14:40 PM
This may sound insipid, but I noticed that Equibase offers TG Form Ratings and I am curious if they are something you produce.
Title: Re: Thoro-Graph Form Ratings
Post by: TGJB on August 06, 2012, 02:47:17 PM
We get that question a lot, not clear why. Yes, they\'re a product we came up with for the less sophisticated handicapper. It\'s an overall rating for each horse (as opposed to the races the horse has run), based on his recent figures, expressed in pounds, not TG points. It\'s similar conceptually to the way TimeForm rates horses (again, not races). We based the ratings on a formula, but we back-tested the hell out of it, and it\'s actually pretty good. Certainly the best thing someone can use who wants to make some decisions themselves (as opposed to being touted), but isn\'t going to do extensive handicapping using our primary data.

I gave Equibase an exclusive on this, at least for now, because they wanted us to sell products there, and their customer base is more built for this than ours.
Title: Re: Thoro-Graph Form Ratings
Post by: xpfc on August 06, 2012, 03:01:37 PM
Thanks, Jerry. I qualify as a less than sophisticated handicapper. I love TG data, but don\'t have the time or patience (or budget) to use it on a regular basis. I like making some decisions as opposed to paying for someone to tout a horse and just give the name without any underlying rationale.  

I will give the Form Ratings a try.
Title: Re: Thoro-Graph Form Ratings
Post by: TGJB on August 06, 2012, 03:16:30 PM
I would be interested in any comments you have after using them for a while.
Title: Re: Thoro-Graph Form Ratings
Post by: xpfc on August 06, 2012, 04:01:30 PM
I will be using them Wed. for Saratoga. I will be playing Del Mar occasionally this summer as well. I will let you know what I think in a couple weeks.

Thanks again for your input on the product.