Track Diagrams - Bets

[dehere]

Time for me to play around with the PP report again Awhile ago there was a thread where someone had posted a link to a series of graphics for race tracks for the various surfaces and distances that are run at each. Does anyone still have that link or other ideas where I might grab these jpegs?

Also, I know you can get a bet menu for each race on the comprehensive trainer screen in HTR. However, that data is not exportable (I don't believe) and I would like to grab that information. Does anyone know where one might locate such data?

[km]

HX9 Export has all the trainer stats

[dehere]

Ken - i may not have been very clear. I realize all of the trainer categories stats are available in HX9 - I do not believe the "bet menu" is. By that, I mean, I do not believe that the HX9 export includes what bet options are available for a race; i.e., exacta, pick 4, super (10 cents), etc.

[km]

sorry i misunderstood, no, the bet menu is not available in export because it is so inconsistent and difficult to parse out of the text

what is it you want to do with that information Henry?

[dehere]

Most of the time when I go to the track or OTB all I have with me is my PP printout. So, it just makes it easier to have something to refer to that gives me the betting menu for the day and track. Its not a big deal - just something I wanted to add.

[Gambler]

Hi Henry
If you ever get that track diagram figure out let me know. I would love to add it to my program.
I think someone had done it and mentioned it to Donnie. I know Donnie knows how to do it, but doesnt have the time. Maybe he can give you some advise. In the mean time Ill try and find that post.

Good Luck
ed

[Gambler]

Henry
I did a track layout search.
Donnie posted onDec 27, 2007 asking about a track layout. The post was called anyone know.
MVM said he had done such a thing.
That post give a good discription on how to do it. Im just not smart enough to understand all of it.
If you cant find the post let me know.
good Luck
ed

[dehere]

Ed - i found the thread thanks - that was what i was looking for. Now I can start playing with it. Once I come up with a sorta final product I'll post some info here.

[Gambler]

Glad you found it.
Good Luck
ed

[dehere]

Okay, well that was not too hard. Now lets see if I can explain it.

First, download and upzip the file in the "anyone knows" thread - which is here

http://www.homebased2.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7535&highlight=track+layout

the link to the file is here

http://home.mchsi.com/~mrdon45/Layouts.zip

I put the unzipped file in the "My Pictures" folder in my C-Drive and called it "Diagrams".

Okay, now you need to create a table with all of the relevant "track", "distance" and "surface" field names. I did this through a "make table" query using another table that was already in my database that came from someone who converted all of the relevant track names to the DRF and HTR code names, by another table where I had all relevant distances for American racetracks and another table with the three relevant surfaces ("A", "D" and "T"). By using the "make table" query I end up with a new table, called "Track Diagrams" that has all surfaces and distance possibilities for all tracks in the country.

Next, go to that newly created table "open it". Because not all of the track diagrams are in the unzipped file and because there is nothing in the newly created table for the inner course at Aqueduct, I added some more entries for AQI.

Now you can link to the bound object - which consists of the diagram pictures in the unzipped folder. First, open the Track Diagrams table in "Design" view. Then create a new field for "Diagram" and use "OLE Object" as Data Type. Then, open the table itself. Next, go to the entry for AQI 6 furlongs on "A" surface. In the "Diagram" field "right-click" and once you do that select "Insert Object". Then select the choice "Bitmap Image" from the drop-down box. Click "okay" and a new box will open that looks like the Paint function in Microsoft. Go to "Edit" on the top menu and then select "Paste from" and you can then browse to the "Track Diagrams" folder in your "My Picture" folder. Scroll down until you find the diagram for "Aqu_I_6" choice and double-click it. You will see that image show up on the screen. Simply hit the "X" in the upper right corner of that box to close it. You will now see "Bitmap image" in the Diagram field next to AQI 6 D.

Now you can add this table to your main query on which you develop your HTR report. When you join properties make sure you choose the second choice so that those entries where you have a diagram will show up but the fact that you do not have a diagram for all tracks, surfaces and distances will not prevent the other data that you have from appearing.

Hope that helped Ed.

[MikeDee]

Since I do all my handicapping from Access queries I would also like to have the bet menu in one of the exports. I also know how difficult it is to parse the bet menu from the trainer stat info. One possible solution would be to provide a field in the hx9 that would contain the entire contents of the race information. The following is the race info in the trainer stats. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Race # 1 6.0f Dirt Claiming $2,500 ($3,100) 3yo+ F & M Post: 12:55PM
Exacta / Trifecta / Superfecta / 10 Cent Superfecta / Daily Double Pick 3
(Races 1-2-3)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Perhaps the entire contents of the race info (the text between the "----" lines) could be parsed into a single field up to a maxumum of 255 characters. (this is the access max for a text field) excluding any returns or line feeds.

For those that use reports this could be used as a header line. For people like me that only bet one type wager I could filter the info field for:
Like *10 Cent Superfecta* and find the races I am interested in.

[dehere]

To follow up on Mike's comment, it would seem like this would be similar to the memo field that currently exists for tRACECOND in the HXD export. Just a thought. As a matter of fact, the entire text that Mike posted offers a fairly compact summary of the race conditions and might be able to replace that field in a PP report.

[Gambler]

Thanks Henry for the info. Im going to give it a try. It will take me a while because im not to good with programming. Ill let you know if i make any progress.
Thanks
ed

[Gambler]

Does anyone what a list of all the tracks and their diagrams They would share?
If not does anyone know the best and easiest way to get them?
Thanks
ed

[Gambler]

Need some advise on how to do this.
I plan on listing most tracks. Any suggestions on how to do this.
Here are my thoughts.
To find out what all distances they run would be a chore, so to save time i would assign all distances to every track. I would assign these distances to all tracks.[4.5 5 5.5 6 6.5 7 7.5 8 8.5 9 9.5 10 10.5 11 11.5 12] Did i miss any?

As for surfaces i would assign 1 2 3 to all tracks distances. Any suggestions here?

All suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks for any help
ed

[Donnie]

Eddie--
It would be best if you had the actual track layouts of each track/dist combo....log into YouBet tonight and look at an 8F race run there compared to an 8F race at, say, Hollywood. Two turn race at MNR, running almost directly into the first turn vs. a one-turn race starting waaaay far back from the turn. This was my intial intent for doing this. When I play tracks I am unfamilar with their configuration, I consult those little pictures to either upgrade or downgrade a horse's chances.

[Rick]

You left out the mile 30 yds and mile 70 yds distances.

[Donnie]

I wonder if Mike has a complete set of all tracks/configurations?
Due to time contraints I dropped this project, but looks like I may have the time to pick it back up again! On vacation for 2 weeks in a week!

[Donnie]

Rick....

what's 30 yds in a horse race, huh?? :rolleyes:

[Gambler]

Thanks Donnie
I didnt realize that.
Hopefully someone can give me some advise on an easy way to get picture of these tracks. I can see them on You Bet when they run but dont know how to put them into picture format like MVM or Henry did. Hopefully someone will tell he how.
Thanks again
ed

[Gambler]

I think one is 8.2 for 30 yds and 8.3 for 40 yds. Am i correct?

Thanks Rick i missed them
ed

[Rick]

I just checked the distance values in a 1 year database and saw a few odd distance and of course longer distances. I didn't count the ones below 4.5.

5.3 at MC and YD
8.2
8.3
8.32 at BEU, DEL, FL, MED, MNR & PHA
12.5
13
14
14.5
15
16
16.3 at FE
16.5
17
18
19
20

I would think most of the long ones you can disregard.

[Gambler]

Thanks Rick
ed

[Donnie]

....and the bad news is we won't see many of those pictures on YouBet until they start back up in the Summer. Unless Mike has a complete set stashed somewhere! :)

Eddie--
what program did they say they used to do the screen captures? Each picture will have to be given their own personal name for the oddball distances before being added to the db table. Using the same picture at like-track configurations would be acceptable. But something like the MNR pictures would be only used for MNR races!

[Donnie]

I guess SnagIt is the program Mike used...but again, if the entire set has not been captured by someone here, you will have to wait until those tracks run those race distances/surfaces to get pictures for EVERY track.

[Donnie]

just looked at my avatar....gas is now $1.39 and if you buy it from Hyvee (local grocery chain) and pay with cash they knock another .06 off the price!!

[Gambler]

I see what you mean. Ill wait and see it anyone has it.