STANDARD METHOD TIPSHEET EXPLANATION ==================================== This help file describes the way data from your race programs are used to calculate the SCORES for the Standard Method. Speed Column ============ Speed is calculated by averaging the past races of a dog's past performance. "Troubled" or "Schooling" races are either included or ignored based on whether or not these types of races are included - see these options later in this document. A "troubled" race may be one in which the distance does not match the distance of today's race. Early Column ============ Early Speed is calculated by averaging the past races of a dog's past performance. "Troubled" or "Schooling" races are either included or ignored based on whether or not these types of races are included - see these options later in this document. To compute Early Speed, the software checks to see how many "places" a dog has gained or lost from the start to the "first call". For example, if the dog goes from 6th place to 4th during this call, then that dog has gained 2 places. The software computes the places gained for each race, then divides by the number of races used and this value is shown under the "Early" column. Man Column (Manuevering) ======================== Manuevering Speed is calculated the same was as "Early Speed" is except that the first call to the second call are used to compute the manuevering number. As was the case with the Early Speed, this number is an average. Late Column (Late Speed) ======================== Late Speed is calculated the same was as "Early Speed" is except that the second call to the finish call are used to compute the late speed number. As was the case with the Early Speed, this number is an average. Money Column ============ The Money column is calculated by averaging the place in which the dog has finished in its last number of races (as given by the # Races selection you make). For example, if you have specified the # Races as 3 and a dog has finished 5th, 3rd, and 2nd, in those races, then the average would be 5+3+4 or 12 divided by 3 which would be 4. Grade ===== This column is not used in the calculation of standard method. It is for information only, and simply tells you whether a dog is dropping in grade for this race or moving up or staying in the same grade. Sometimes dropping a grade may make a dog a better choice and going up in grade may mean a dog is not as good a choice. This is up to you to consider. For example if two dogs are ranked similarily you might wish to give one the advantage due to information in this column. Since this column will not affect the mathematical ranking, you may not select/deselect it. In this field you'll see either UP, DOWN, ????, DIST or a blank space. Meanings for each are given below. UP - the dog is moving up in class since his last race. DOWN - the dog is moving down in class since his last race. ???? - the program is unable to determine whether the dog is moving up or down in class and you should consult your racing chart. DIST - the dog last ran at a distance not like that of todays race so whether it moved up or down was not computed. blank - the dog is running in the same class today as in his previous class and the distance is the same as well. CLASS (also Part of the GRADE Column) ===================================== This number (lowest indicates better class) provides a mathematical calculation of a dog's class prior to this race. Odds Column =========== This column gives the average odds a dog has "gone off at" in its prior # Races. You may select/deselect this column as contributing to the final ranking by simply selecting this button. Avg_Rank ======== Based on the columns which you have selected, the Avg_Rank column will compute the predicted order of finish. This number is computed by adding the rankings of the other columns together then dividing by that number of columns. For example, if you have selected Speed, Early, and the Man columns, a ranking is computed for each column which gives each dog a score of 1 to 8. Ie., the best dog is given a 1 and the worst is given an 8. Ties may exist. To compute the Avg_Rank, the column scores are added together, then this number is divided by the number of columns selected. The Avg_Rank column is used to create the "Predicted Order of Finish" box at the bottom of the display. See "Predicted Order of Finish" for information on what is in this box.