News From KM / Summer Seminar

[km]

March newsletter and program update will be available by Thursday next week.

We will NOT be holding our annual seminar in Las Vegas (Stardust) this year.
Our seminar will take place in Lexington, KY.

We have tentatively planned for the weekend of August 1-2-3.

There is a KEE simulcast 4-man NTRA qualifier that weekend which we can attend during the seminar if desired. Other side trips might include a visit to HDW, Famous Breeding Farm, etc. All of this depends on finding suitable accomodations and we will have to request a fee to cover the costs of the meeting room. TomCat is working on that.

Probable seminar times will be Friday night and Saturday night. Expect Tom and Ken to speak and Donnie to host his usual Access workshop. Hopefully we can get MikeDee involved again. The guys from HDW can join in too, they are data hounds with plenty to share.

Everything is tentative right now but your feedback on the date and location are appreciated.
Let us know if you would attend.

[ggpagels]

I'm in. I am a IBM retiree of 34 years and went to IBM school in Lexington in 1961. Let me know what I can do to help because being retired I can get there early to help set up.
:D

[km]

Thanks so much Jerry for your quick reply, we will appreciate the help and look forward to meeting you there. If you have any experience with hotels in the area and meeting space, etc, please contact Tomcat or myself.

Re: to your other post here about pick3 estimating payoffs with MLO. I haven't come across such a calculation or formula but will keep my eyes open. Webmaster Rick and Ernie are the two most resourceful people I know, let's ask them if they can locate something for you.

[LOU M.]

Great idea. Not a problem for me.Lou M.

[tbrown]

This GREAT news for me....Ky and those dates will probably be a no brainer for me. I really look forward to meeting you guys - I was very disappointd that I couldn't work around the dates lastt year. The access workshop will be my holy grail for sure.

[km]

Fantastic LouM and Bulldog - look forward to meeting you both in August. I also talked to TommyC and DonM after the GP tournament and they are 100% "go" for seminar as well.

[t.martin]

ken,
I had planned on attending my first conference this year in vegas but I guess I can make the 3 mile trek to keeneland.With some of the best cappers in the world at this drf tournament in the past bringing htr to the fold will make this as tough as I would image any tournament being.I can help out if needed.
Tony Martin

[hurrikane]

well...the..folks are comming east. Tom, guess you better have em put out some more tables at the track kitchen. I'll be there. Cappers, contest, Kentucky..why not!

[Glen]

Sounds like fun. Kee has been on my list of places to visit.

[tomcat]

The Lexington area guys who want to help, please email me at tomcat62@alltel.net.

T

[Donnie]

Suddenly, it sounds as if the tournament that weekend just keeps getting tougher and tougher.... :)
I would like nothing better than to see a few of the HTR people win this thing...watch out Lexington if that happens!

[tomcat]

Donnie, remember this is a tough bunch. The Ky team has won the national 2 yrs in a row. They have an advantage in that most are very connected to the horse scene. A lot of handicapping is done with a cell phone right to the paddock. This looks like it is going to be exciting!

[tomcat]

The Keeneland seminar:

August 2. $100 entry limit of 3 person. Total limit is 500 (never been reached). Usual enrollment between 2-300.
First place $10,000. Pay 20 places. Top 4 NTRA paid qualifiers. Twelve $100 door prizes.
6 manditory races and 6 optional races $2 WP.Entry includes buffet lunch, programs, etc.

[Donnie]

Sounds like I am gonna hafta bring along my cell-phone jammer huh? :)

Wouldn't that piss 'em off, huh!

[Donnie]

http://starportuk.com/21.htm

[Donnie]

before ya all get up in arms...I'm just kidding! I know it's illegal to use a cell jammer in the US! I wouldn't do that!! ;) :D

[LurkingBettor]

Guys,

Isn't it going to be difficult to have enough time for the seminar AND preparation/handicapping for the tournament?

LB

[ERNIE LOGSDON]

When all goes well this year I will be in Ky. July and Aug. Up until now had been wondering how I could do both Las Vegas and Ky fishing in the same time frame--------

I'll make contact with Tomcat-n-Linda to offer to help------My first vote is for a trip to the BBQ store that we went to the last time Tom Hosted one of his get-togathers in Lexington.

[tomcat]

You are correct, it will be a lot to do. Plan on getting here Thursday and leaving on Monday. I'm shopping for a place to have the seminar, and perhaps get some rates. I suggesed to Ken, that Saturday morning might be a get together-study preparation-thing that Ken can give us some ideas to get ready.

[ERNIE LOGSDON]

Suggestion: In light of the 4-spot NTRA contest-----Maybe Ken-Tomcat-Donnie could taylor their time toward the contest/contest play------A friday night pep rally- contest prep.-----Sat. night---Reg.seminar type stuff and recap of the day----Sunday Seminar,farm tour,"BBQ LUNCH"

[Huguenot]

Do any non-HTR users go and get stuff out of it. I have trialed it so I'm familiar with
the product (although I'm not a database guy).

huguenot

[MikeDee]

IMO any handicapping info will be good stuff and there is some info that I am sure can be applied to other sources. The access data base stuff will apply to any hadcapping data. The cost will be the bare min Ken needs to pay the conference rm expenses.

You won't meet a nicer bunch of horse players, and if you have never been to Lexington or KEE you will have a great time.

[dawgfan]

Ken and Tom,

Those dates in August look good, count me in (Pam too).

[ERNIE LOGSDON]

Note for "HUGUENOT" As they say on TV " come-on-down-------
Every one will be glad to see you------
A "non-member" came in third in our last contest(jedijbw from Santa Rosa Ca.) besting all 89 entries except the top two--------

[Glen]

I don't know bout that Ernie...Think non members who attend should get an HTR tatoo or maybe HTR branded on them...or maybe drink the HTR cool aide with us at the end. Actually Huge-not, it would be a pleasure to have you come on down to KEE. I'm actually looking forward to the nice visit. IMOF, I think I might even skip the tourney so I can spend a couple of days smelling the horse chips and all.

[km]

Excellent ideas everyone - appreciate the spirited response for the seminar - it will be a memorable weekend.

HDW guys have have offered their full backing as well, so we'll pay a visit to our "ground zero" (HDW office) and you will see the actual computers from whence your data files flow.
Last time in Lexington, TomCat got us into to Three Chimneys Farm, Seattle Slew greeted us and Ernie is right about that BBQ place - those ribs are gooood.

A pep rally for the contest is good idea, yet, how about we just have everyone throw in an equal share and we buy 20 or 30 entries in the contest - "one for all, all for one" - HTR entries. We play every horse in every race until we hit the bomb that wins it and get a spot at the NTRA for all of us!!

We'll have a blast and learn a lot too.

[Huguenot]

I'm thinking of making it a family weekend. Does anyone else
bring family members. My wife and daughter would love to
see the farms on Sunday.

Is this kosher???

Huguenot

[Donnie]

Hugenot-
Everyone is invited! My wife Sue is wondering what she will do if she comes along...? She is my "assistant" for the classes. She is not as horse-crazy as I am, so she is thinking of possibly staying home this go-round.

Tomcat- what is there for the ladies to do there? Are there any casinos nearby, or anything else...bad part---she's not big into shopping....knows what she wants, gets it and gets out! She is afraid that other than the classes, she'll be wandering aimlessly around.....your thoughts?

[tomcat]

Guys, I got some good stuff going. Please bring families, there lot's to do. Linda may plan something for the ladies.

Right now, I got to get a contract on a motel.

[Cliff]

Donnie,

Tell Sue to come. My GF is wanting to go and she'll need someone to do the "touristy" stuff with. She has no interest in handicapping or computers. Would definitely enjoy any farms with real live horses to pet, though. I told her all she has to do is save up enough for 2 airfares and a hotel for a few nights. For some reason, she didn't think that was funny.

Cliff

[Donnie]

Cliff-
They just don't get it, do they?:D

[Glen]

Are there any Bingo Parlors for the ladies while we play the ponies?

[JimG]

I'm also a non-member at the present time, but have used the software in the past. Since your planning on a seminar in KY and I live in VA, I am tempted.

Let me know if I would be welcome and I will keep a watchful eye on the plans.


Jim


PS...interestingly, because of this board I am getting into participating in tourneys more and more. Will play Colonial this year and will play both qualifiers at Delaware Park in the hopes of qualifying.

[Donnie]

Jim-
I think this whole shindig is gonna be open to the public. Ken's seminar in Vegas was always open to the public, while it seemed the only people interested in the Access seminars has been subscribers...mainly because of the exporter Ken has put into HTR2001. As Mike stated earlier, just because you don't use HTR doesn't mean you won't learn anything...but HTR gives most of us the tools we need in one package.

I am sure Ken will correct me if I am wrong, but knowing Ken, the more the merrier!

[Huguenot]

And is there any cost to us Non-HTR people to attend?
my wife was OK with it -- the horse farm visit sold her as long as there is something for her and my 4 yr old to do on Saturday. (My wife hates to gamble).

huguenot

[Donnie]

Huguenot-
The cost will be the same, I figure, whether you subscribe to HTR or not. I know that he will charge something, but he probably won't have that figured out until he knows what he will have to pay for the room rental. He said he's only planning on charging to cover the costs involved of holding it! Should be very reasonable.

Sooooooooo...where is Ken? Probably locked in his room, feverously working on the update he promised for today! :)

[km]

Everyone is welcome to attend our seminar - that has always been the case. We will have to charge a modest fee this year and the rooms will not be $25!, but the value of the weekend in terms of education, experience and friendship will definitely exceed any monetary costs.

During our Stardust years, Tom and I were obligated to prepare a presentation for a general (even novice) horse racing audience. I usually spoke about the Stardust handout and he would discuss betting strategies. It is not necessary to do that this year. My focus will be entirely on advanced velocity handicapping as related from HTR2001. More freedom to cover greater depth of the material is nirvana for me. We'll will certainly have discussion on tournament strategy as well. However, that's just Ken,......

Tom has always been at liberty to speak on any thoroughbred racing topic he wants at our seminars - same with Donnie teaching the Access class - they have 100% automony on their time. We will prepare an outline and schedule of our topics a month or two before the meeting and let you know the probable subject matter. If we have other presentations (MikeDee, HDW guys) we will list an itinerary so everyone can decide which ones are most beneficial for themselves to attend. Nothing is mandatory. Likewise the KEE tournament is also an option, we may schedule an alternative for those that do not wish to participate in that, although a trip to Keeneland itself is strongly recommended.

A few years ago Tom took us on a drive through 'ground zero' of thoroughbred racing - the bluegrass in Lexington. Seeing foals gently grazing with their mothers I was struck that we were seeing the genesis of this entire sport. In a year or two a few of those babies would become extremely valuable and cherished property for wealthy people all over the planet. Some of the yearlings would someday appear before queens, emperors, sheiks and millions of people on television. Others would never make it to Gulfstream or Santa Anita; instead they might be spending their best years at some God-forsaken place like Portland Meadows or Charles Town or Blue Ribbon Downs; racing against others that could not fulfill the dream.

Lot's of good things in store and usually some pleasant surprises; you don't want to miss this seminar.

[hurrikane]

Yeah..this is really a beautiful place. You just feel the horses there. And it's the only track I have ever seen with drive through betting windows. Not that is service.
You will never go to a nice part of the country.

Glad to see all the non HTR folks coming. Someone has to clean up after these slobs. (oops, wasnt suppose to let the cat out of the bag..sorry)

[Neil]

Something else for people to do in Lexington during the conference - special exhibit at the Horse Park of "All The Queen's Horses". Link here:http://www.kentucky.com/mld/kentucky/sports/horse_racing/5351758.htm
There are scores of things to see and do in Lexington, it's a great place for a family vacation. Minor league baseball team, distilleries, Shaker museum, Nancy Hanks house, an outstanding new bookshop (Joseph Beth) and used (Glover's Bookery); bring the wife and kids - you'll never see them!

Neil

(incidentally, the Horse Park is a nice place to stay if you want to camp instead of stay at a motel in Lexington - huge area for kids and pets)