Or do you mean, "If I use BRIS data, why would I need to buy par times?" — Dave Schwartz

Yes, that is correct. I already have BRIS data and I can develop PAR times if I need to. The issue comes down to developing a test environment. If I choose to use PAR times, then I need to buy or develop the times in relation to the timeframe I am testing. So if I'm running data from 2025 then I need par times from 2024 and so forth for each timeframe change. Basically I would need a continuous pars database OR I could use the BRIS data that is updated as of that race date and attached to the data source. Just like you have used DRF Speed Ratings and then applied a track/distance/surface PARs offset to get to a universal speed rating.

My question to you would be, "Why would you assume that BRIS' ratings would be better than anyone else's?" — Dave Schwartz

I never made such a statement - that one was better than the other. My question was they seem to be measuring the same factor

I may be able to do this but am confused on what you want this to look like. Can you send me the two files so I can see?

Just imagine that only the G and B races should really count. — Dave Schwartz

Wouldn't that severely limit your past history data to a very small sample size?

There needs to be a mechanism for lightening (or removing completely) races where a given horse was unsuited for some/any reason - including being off form. — Dave Schwartz

Yes, systematically, that implementation is very difficult, I am working on a compromise where failure to finish ITM would result in a less server loss in ranking points. Obviously horses finishing near the bottom are not really "trying" anymore so the penalty for the bottom half needs to be minimal. One of the main issues is that points earned by a horse are not really "equal". Adding class to the point system looks to be my next step in development.

What is an ELO system??

That's a new one to me.:smile: — ponyplayer

What is an ELO system?? — ponyplayer

It is similar to multi-player ranking system that you see in video games. Basically all horses have a "rank" and the expectation is that a higher ranked horse will beat a lower ranked horse. Based on the result of a race, the rankings are adjusted such that a if a lower ranked horse beats a higher ranked horse then more points are awarded the winner and vice versa.

It is similar to multi-player ranking system that you see in video games. Basically all horses have a "rank" and the expectation is that a higher ranked horse will beat a lower ranked horse. Based on the result of a race, the rankings are adjusted such that a if a lower ranked horse beats a higher ranked horse then more points are awarded the winner and vice versa.