Hey Tom, I'd say I use the Magnitude rating D1, m3 and H5, etc most heavily. Since committing to DET, I have modified immensely. I had done all my handicapping through the traditional racing form. I was using the same info everyone else had and I was fortunate enough to eke out a living. After seeing DET in action, I committed myself to learn all I could about DET output. Today I use only DET info. It took months of reviewing results to develop methods and build confidence. I now print out a version AI Ast displays and do all my handicapping from there. The key, I think is using data my opponents don't have. Tom I've listened to your input and I'm sure you have a better grasp on
DET than I do. Perhaps with a little help from Dave or Ponyplayer I will figure out how to post a screenshot on this board and explain how simple my thought process is.

I did use Classic Rock as a B contender. He hadn't raced since November. The primary reason I used him was the first time drop into a maiden claimer. I hated the H9 rating but the class drop won me over.

The majority of my plays are on horizontal bets, specifically P 3-4 and P5's. In all honesty I am far from being an expert with DET, but I have committed myself to make this my lone tool. Let me offer a few ideas on horizontal wagers that you may find helpful. All feedback is appreciated. Here are my guidelines.
01) I start by separating my contenders into two groups. A's and B's. A's include the top contenders, those most likely to win and horses where I expect their final odds to be overlaid. B's are all other contenders. A typical race for me will have one to four contenders.
02) Once I've created the two contender groups I am off to ticket writing. I will use some races at Sar today as examples. I will focus on the early P4, races 2 thru 5. The contenders are noted below by program number.
A's B's
Race 2 2,4 1,3,6
Race 3 10 1,9,11
Race 4 6,7 1,3
Race 5 4,8 1,5,14
There were 5 contenders in race 2. One of the A's won and paid $9.24 as the 2nd betting choice. No big deal but we are alive. Race 3 featured a lone A along with 3 B's. My A was beaten, fortunately one of my B's won paying $7.50. Another 2nd choice winner.
I race 4, there were 2 losing A' s with a B winning to pay $18.68. In race 5 an A delivered at $17.54. We have a winner!! To structure the tickets I required 2 A's to win. There is no magic in requiring 2 A's to win. Its my attempt to balance investment with potential profit. So the tickets looked like this.
Ticket 1- 2,4 with 10 with 6,7 with 4,8= $4.00.
Ticket 2- 2,4 with 1,9,10,11 with 1,3,6,7 with 1,4,5,8,14= $80
Ticket 3- 2,4 with 1,9,10,11 with 6,7 with 1,4,5,8,14=$40
Ticket 4- 1,3,6 with 10 with 1,3,6,7 with 1,4,5,8,14=$30
Ticket 5- 1,3,6 with 10 with 6,7 with 4,8=$6
Playing 50 cent tickets resulted with an investment of $160 cashing $1379.85 P4.

looking forward to making progress. thanks

scratches now up

Ira- I too have encountered the same question. My problem is more related to horizontal wagers than exacta plays. Assuming a 78% win one four contenders I would hit less than 40% OF PICK 4 plays.
My solution has been to key races in a sequence to one or two contenders and playing all contenders in the other races. This has resulted in careful ticket writing to show a rather small profit.
If I was focusing on exactas I would look for races where I was comfortable keying on one or two horses as winner while dutching others to place in exactas. Does your record keeping tell you how many times the win/place are part of your contenders? I'm impressed with your contender selection process but we are fighting to insure capturing the place horse. Please keep me posted on your progress

even though there was no formal place to post Saratoga picks I can say that I sucked yesterday. So many races where I could not get to the winner. A few late winners on the card. Cant say Ive given up on the meet but I was digging a grave. Much more logical today so far! fingers crossed.

i have encountered the same error at times. following Dave's instructions has resolved the issues

I will play as well. thanks

good luck Jim and thanks

good luck Pony

thank you jim!!

glad to hear the session went well. I need to take a day off from playing. looking forward to Wednesday

took me 2 days to read Dave's post, lol good stuff

Jim, hope for a speedy recovery.

[reply="Jim, I have been using a very similiar methodology except I have been using SR instead of BH. Results have mirrored yours. Dave had recommended SR and Im comfortable now. Good luck moving forward and thanks for posting

It didn't take for Dave to touch base after I posted about losing during the Sar meet. One has to love that about Dave, he wants all of us to winners. Dave sacrificed his evening to spend two hours with me to review any issues I may be having with DET. No other vendor would offer that type of customer service!!! and my original post stated that I was critical of myself for not working hard enough. I did not say anything negative about DET. I love the direction we are headed and Dave's desire to improve all of our lives. Thanks, Dave, for reaching out to me!! You offer nothing but top notch service and support. Thank you

thanks gilly, good suggestions

will do Dave thanks

thanks