Introduction
The TrackMaster F.A.S.T. (Front-runner, Alternator, Stalker, Trailer) Sheets are computer generated handicapping reports which analyze pace scenarios and ratings, speed and class ratings, and numerous pertinent handicapping angles resulting in a contenders list along with an acceptable odds line for each contender. A report can be used as a selection and analysis sheet. The data provided can also be used by seasoned players as a shortcut in their handicapping process. By having the computer analyze the complexities of each race in a structured and precise format, a high level of consistency is maintained and large amounts of data are examined. Unlike a human selector, a computer doesn't experience fatigue or the monotony of handicapping race after race, day after day. Our results have shown that a high level of consistency and efficiency can be maintained over a vast number of tracks with the computer often outperforming its human counterparts.
Race Format
The race header contains the basic information regarding the conditions of the race as well as the wagering options available. The number after CR: is the class rating for the race. A contenders list is provided along with race analysis regarding the pace scenario and key angles for the contenders. Only some of the key positive angles for each contender are highlighted, but all positive and negative angles are reflected in the acceptable odds line. If you see the same comment repeated for different horses in the race analysis section, it is due to more than one horse in the race having similar characteristics.
The Thoroughbred race format sorts the horses from highest to lowest first by running style then by early figure. This allows the user to see the likely position of the field in the early going as well as by early pace figures. A dotted line separates the basic running style groupings, making it easier to analyze how the race may unfold. The Quarter Horse race format shows the horses in post position order. This allows the user to see how horses next to each other break from the gate. The Arabian race format has the horses sorted from highest to lowest first by running style then by early position. This allows the user to see the position of the field in the early going based on early positioning. A dotted line separates the basic running style groupings, making it easier to analyze how the race may unfold.
Wagering Strategy
Basic Strategy: The TrackMaster F.A.S.T. Sheets are designed to give the user the edge one needs to win at the track. This sophisticated program assesses each horse’s probability of winning and produces acceptable (fair) odds for the contenders. As post time nears, if only one contender has odds equal to or higher than its acceptable odds (an overlay), then a wager on the horse to win is called for. If there are two overlays in a given race, a wager on both horses to win is indicated. If there are three or more overlays in a given race, a bet on the overlay with the largest (post-time odds to one)/(fair odds to one) ratio is indicated.
Exotic Strategy: For exactas and trifectas, one strategy is to box the overlays and play the overlays with the other contenders. For serial exotics (Daily Double, Pick 3, etc.), an acceptable strategy is to key the contenders that are overlayed versus the morning line and play them with the other contenders.
Click here for advanced wagering tips.
F.A.S.T. Break Style
Front-runner: Usually on the early lead.
Alternator: Has no particular running style. One of the other running styles is assigned based on recent races. An alternator can also be deemed a non-contender.
Stalker: Normally sits just off of the front-runners in the early stages of the race.
Trailer: Usually near the back of the pack in the early going.
Unknown: Running style not known, usually because the horse is a foreign horse or a first time starter.
F.A.S.T. Break Style (Quarter Horses)
Fast: Usually gets out of the gate quickly.
Average: Normally breaks with the rest of the field.
Slow: Usually slow from the gate.
Trouble-prone: Tends to get into trouble in many of its races.
Unknown: Break style not known, usually because the horse is a first time starter or a Thoroughbred trying a Quarter Horse race for the first time.
Race Styles (Thoroughbred Races Only)
Dominant Front-runner: Front-runner that has the highest early figure and finish figure.
Dominant Stalker: Stalker that has the highest early figure and finish figure.
Dominant Trailer: Trailer that has the highest early figure and finish Figure.
Lone Front-runner: Only one horse in the race is a front-runner.
Lone Stalker: Only one horse in the race is a stalker.
Lone Trailer: Only one horse in the race is a trailer.
Fast-paced Race: At least four horses in the field are front-runners. Favors the stalkers and trailers.
Paceless Race: There are no front-runners in the field.
Basic Race: This race has a balanced pace scenario.
Dominant Class: A special situation in which one horse has a decided class edge over the rest of the field.
Key Angles GLossary
Good Race: For Thoroughbred and Arabian races, a race in which a horse has an official finish of first, second, or third. In sprints, a finish within two lengths of the winner. In routes, a finish within three lengths of the winner. For Quarter Horse races, a race in which a horse has an official finish of first, second, or third. In races less than or equal to 440 yards, a finish within one length of the winner. In races longer than 440 yards, a finish within two lengths of the winner.
TrackMaster Historical Indicators: TrackMaster symbols which identify situations that have historically shown to produce a positive long-term profit.
A “+” symbol means that the combination of the Power Rating Margin (difference between the top two horses’ power ratings) & the post time odds (approximated by the morning line) were profitable in the recent past.
The “L” symbol notes a potentially valuable long shot play.
The “B” symbol signifies that both the “+” and “L” symbols apply in this situation.
F.A.S.T. Sheets Statistics
(Note: The top figure in each numeric category is underlined and in bold print)
Good Class: The average class rating of a horse’s two most recent good races (see above). If a horse has only one good race in its last twelve races, the class rating of that race is used. If a horse hasn't a good race with an class rating then a blank appears.
Good Speed: The average Speed Figure of a horse’s two most recent good races (see above). If a horse has only one good race in its last twelve races, the Speed Figure of that race is used. If a horse hasn't a good race with a Speed Figure then a blank appears.
Early Figure: A horse’s average pace figure at the first call. This figure is normally taken from its last five races at today's distance (sprint or route) / surface (dirt or turf).
Finish Figure: A horse’s average Speed Figure at the finish. This figure is normally taken from its last five races at today's distance (sprint or route) / surface (dirt or turf).
Platinum Figure: The horse’s average Finish Figure adjusted by Average Class Rating, Average Speed Figure, Power Rating, and Average Earnings Per Start.
The TrackMaster F.A.S.T. (Front-runner, Alternator, Stalker, Trailer) Sheets are computer generated handicapping reports which analyze pace scenarios and ratings, speed and class ratings, and numerous pertinent handicapping angles resulting in a contenders list along with an acceptable odds line for each contender. A report can be used as a selection and analysis sheet. The data provided can also be used by seasoned players as a shortcut in their handicapping process. By having the computer analyze the complexities of each race in a structured and precise format, a high level of consistency is maintained and large amounts of data are examined. Unlike a human selector, a computer doesn't experience fatigue or the monotony of handicapping race after race, day after day. Our results have shown that a high level of consistency and efficiency can be maintained over a vast number of tracks with the computer often outperforming its human counterparts.
Race Format
The race header contains the basic information regarding the conditions of the race as well as the wagering options available. The number after CR: is the class rating for the race. A contenders list is provided along with race analysis regarding the pace scenario and key angles for the contenders. Only some of the key positive angles for each contender are highlighted, but all positive and negative angles are reflected in the acceptable odds line. If you see the same comment repeated for different horses in the race analysis section, it is due to more than one horse in the race having similar characteristics.
The Thoroughbred race format sorts the horses from highest to lowest first by running style then by early figure. This allows the user to see the likely position of the field in the early going as well as by early pace figures. A dotted line separates the basic running style groupings, making it easier to analyze how the race may unfold. The Quarter Horse race format shows the horses in post position order. This allows the user to see how horses next to each other break from the gate. The Arabian race format has the horses sorted from highest to lowest first by running style then by early position. This allows the user to see the position of the field in the early going based on early positioning. A dotted line separates the basic running style groupings, making it easier to analyze how the race may unfold.
Wagering Strategy
Basic Strategy: The TrackMaster F.A.S.T. Sheets are designed to give the user the edge one needs to win at the track. This sophisticated program assesses each horse’s probability of winning and produces acceptable (fair) odds for the contenders. As post time nears, if only one contender has odds equal to or higher than its acceptable odds (an overlay), then a wager on the horse to win is called for. If there are two overlays in a given race, a wager on both horses to win is indicated. If there are three or more overlays in a given race, a bet on the overlay with the largest (post-time odds to one)/(fair odds to one) ratio is indicated.
Exotic Strategy: For exactas and trifectas, one strategy is to box the overlays and play the overlays with the other contenders. For serial exotics (Daily Double, Pick 3, etc.), an acceptable strategy is to key the contenders that are overlayed versus the morning line and play them with the other contenders.
Click here for advanced wagering tips.
F.A.S.T. Break Style
Front-runner: Usually on the early lead.
Alternator: Has no particular running style. One of the other running styles is assigned based on recent races. An alternator can also be deemed a non-contender.
Stalker: Normally sits just off of the front-runners in the early stages of the race.
Trailer: Usually near the back of the pack in the early going.
Unknown: Running style not known, usually because the horse is a foreign horse or a first time starter.
F.A.S.T. Break Style (Quarter Horses)
Fast: Usually gets out of the gate quickly.
Average: Normally breaks with the rest of the field.
Slow: Usually slow from the gate.
Trouble-prone: Tends to get into trouble in many of its races.
Unknown: Break style not known, usually because the horse is a first time starter or a Thoroughbred trying a Quarter Horse race for the first time.
Race Styles (Thoroughbred Races Only)
Dominant Front-runner: Front-runner that has the highest early figure and finish figure.
Dominant Stalker: Stalker that has the highest early figure and finish figure.
Dominant Trailer: Trailer that has the highest early figure and finish Figure.
Lone Front-runner: Only one horse in the race is a front-runner.
Lone Stalker: Only one horse in the race is a stalker.
Lone Trailer: Only one horse in the race is a trailer.
Fast-paced Race: At least four horses in the field are front-runners. Favors the stalkers and trailers.
Paceless Race: There are no front-runners in the field.
Basic Race: This race has a balanced pace scenario.
Dominant Class: A special situation in which one horse has a decided class edge over the rest of the field.
Key Angles GLossary
Good Race: For Thoroughbred and Arabian races, a race in which a horse has an official finish of first, second, or third. In sprints, a finish within two lengths of the winner. In routes, a finish within three lengths of the winner. For Quarter Horse races, a race in which a horse has an official finish of first, second, or third. In races less than or equal to 440 yards, a finish within one length of the winner. In races longer than 440 yards, a finish within two lengths of the winner.
TrackMaster Historical Indicators: TrackMaster symbols which identify situations that have historically shown to produce a positive long-term profit.
A “+” symbol means that the combination of the Power Rating Margin (difference between the top two horses’ power ratings) & the post time odds (approximated by the morning line) were profitable in the recent past.
The “L” symbol notes a potentially valuable long shot play.
The “B” symbol signifies that both the “+” and “L” symbols apply in this situation.
F.A.S.T. Sheets Statistics
(Note: The top figure in each numeric category is underlined and in bold print)
Good Class: The average class rating of a horse’s two most recent good races (see above). If a horse has only one good race in its last twelve races, the class rating of that race is used. If a horse hasn't a good race with an class rating then a blank appears.
Good Speed: The average Speed Figure of a horse’s two most recent good races (see above). If a horse has only one good race in its last twelve races, the Speed Figure of that race is used. If a horse hasn't a good race with a Speed Figure then a blank appears.
Early Figure: A horse’s average pace figure at the first call. This figure is normally taken from its last five races at today's distance (sprint or route) / surface (dirt or turf).
Finish Figure: A horse’s average Speed Figure at the finish. This figure is normally taken from its last five races at today's distance (sprint or route) / surface (dirt or turf).
Platinum Figure: The horse’s average Finish Figure adjusted by Average Class Rating, Average Speed Figure, Power Rating, and Average Earnings Per Start.
Jockey: This race's jockey.
Trainer: This race's trainer.
Early Position: (Arabian and Quarter Horse races only). The horse’s average running position at the first call, adjusted for field size.