Welcome to JCapper

Welcome to JCapper

Author: Jeff Platt

Last Updated: 10/01/2025

Introduction

Whether you are just checking out the Demo Version for the very first time or are a long time Registered Program Owner, let me be the first to say it. Welcome! It is my sincere hope you will find yourself using JCapper in a way that fits your handicapping style. JCapper has many features and factors spanning almost every area of the game. Even so, as of this writing, it is very far from complete. I'm striving to make JCapper the very best handicapping software package available anywhere - at any price. To that end I am constantly testing out new ideas, creating new factors and features, and adding them to the program. Truth be told, JCapper really is a work in progress - an attempt to achieve the impossible using vision, the gray matter between my ears, data science, and determination to create the perfect handicapping program.

Shortening the Learning Curve

There is a world of information presented within JCapper. As the program's author, I can see where it might be easy for new users to be overwhelmed. The purpose of this Help Doc is to outline a path for you to get the most out of the JCapper program in the shortest amount of time possible.

Where to Begin

Start by working through the JCapper 101 Class Outline below.

Learn the material in the order presented. I’ve been teaching new users how to use JCapper for more than 20 years. In my opinion, following the Class Outline is the best way to shorten the learning curve.

Demo User Licenses

Demo Users can do everything in the program except run Calc Races routines to generate same day race reports for live play. That privilege is reserved for Registered Program Owners only. Demo User Licenses are issued to players who are giving JCapper a try while using the Free Back Data Downloads. Demo User Licenses expire after 90 days.

Temp Eval User Licenses

Temp Eval Users can do everything in the program including run Calc Races routines to generate same day race reports for live play just like Registered Program Owners. The key difference is Temp Eval User Licenses have an expiration date just like Demo Licenses whereas Registered Program Owner Licenses are permanent. Temp Eval User Licenses are issued to players who are giving JCapper a try while paying for HDW Data.

Registered Program Owner Licenses

Registered Program Owner Licenses are permanent (no expiration date) and are issued to players who purchase the JCapper program outright or who meet the terms of a Software as a Service Agreement by purchasing 12 or more months of data under the HDW Monthly Unlimited Data Subscription Plan.

Live Play

As a Temp Eval User or a Registered Program Owner you have access to all parts of the program. Even though you have the ability to load data files into the program, get scratches and changes, and run a Calc Races to generate reports for today’s races… and even launch the Live Play Module and use it to bet today’s races… I strongly recommend that you work your way all the way through the JCapper 101 Class Outline first!

Learn the material in the order presented.

Once you know what you are doing and the program Basics are second nature: Then consider using the program for live play.

User Quick Start Guide

Getting Started

There is a world of information presented within the Program. The best way to learn is to pick ONE topic and work "hands on" with the program until you understand that topic. Then move on to the next topic. It is highly recommended that you learn the material in the order presented below in the JCapper 101 Class Outline.

JCapper 101 Audio & Video

Shorten the learning curve: Watch the JCapper BASIC VIDEOS to get relevant background info that you need to know.

The JCapper BASIC Videos are here at:

http://www.JCapper.com/Podcasts/JCapper_Podcasts.html

Hint: Bookmark the above page – or goto: http://www.JCapper.com and click the link labeled JCapper 101 Audio Video.)

About the JCapper 101 Audio Video Page:

There is an Index Section for different topics presented near the top of the page. When you click the index link for an individual topic, page navigation takes you to the section for that topic. Within the section for each of the individual topics you will find links to Videos and Audios about that topic. To return back to the Index Section at the top of the page, click one of the links labeled Back to Index. (But watch the JCapper BASIC Videos first.)

READ the Help Docs

All of the JCapper Help Docs are available online at:

http://www.JCapper.com/DemoVersion/HelpDocs.ASP

IMPORTANT Note about Calc Races routines in the Demo Version of the Program

The .DAT file is the only file type that can be loaded into the demo version of the program and used to run a Calc Races so that you can see the program’s race day output. (That restriction is lifted in the live version of the program.)

FREE Sample Weekend of back HDW Data – Memorial Day Weekend 2016 (Courtesy of HDW)

The following link will get you a downloadable zip file that contains a free sample weekend of data and results files courtesy of HDW. (Memorial Day Weekend 2016) This download will enable you to work through the JCapper 101 Class Outline without having to spend your own money on data.

This download includes a complete pre-built set of comma delimited .JCP, .XRD, and .DAT files. This is important because .DAT files (which are created by the JCapper program during its build database routines) is the only file type that can be loaded into the Demo Version of the JCapper program and be used to run a Calc Races routine - so that you can see the program’s race day output.

Link to back data download with install instructions:
http://www.jcapper.com/JCapMemorialDayWeekend2016.html

FREE Sample Day of Demo Data – June 21, 2012 - (Courtesy of HDW)

The following link will get you a downloadable zip file that contains a free sample day of data and results files courtesy of HDW. This download will enable you to go through the JCapper Demo without having to spend your own money on data.

http://www.jcapper.com/SampleRaceDayData_06212012.html

FREE Weekend of Demo Data (Courtesy of HDW)

The following link will get you a download that contains a full four day weekend of back data and results files courtesy of HDW. This data sample includes every thoroughbred race run in North America over the four day 2011 Labor Day weekend Fri 9/2/2011 through Mon 9/5/2011:

http://www.jcapper.com/DemoVersion/Article_2011DemoFiles.html

JCapper 101 Class Outline

Make the most efficient use of your time and get the most out JCapper. Learn the material in the following order:

1. Get these Basics Out of the Way

a. Install the Program: – Watch the Install Videos on the JCapper Program Downloads Page.

· If you are running Windows 10 or later pay attention to the part about getting True Admin Rights by first enabling the hidden Windows Admin Account and then logging into Windows as an Administrator. (You need to be logged into the Windows Admin Account in order to register DLLs and OCX files for the first JCapper Install on Windows 10 and later machines.)

· Create a C:\JCapperBuild folder. Then download the latest Full Program Install Package to the C:\JCapperBuild folder. Then create a Desktop Shortcut naming the Full Program Install Package that you downloaded as target of the shortcut - Then finally, right-click the shortcut selecting Run as Administrator – and install the Program by running the Extractor and the JCapper Installer.

· Then working hands on with the JCapper program one topic at a time, work through the exercises in the JCapper 101 Class Outline.

b. Learn how and where to find JCapper Help Documents:

· See the JCapper Basic Videos and JCapper Help Dos Index Links above.

c. Learn how to change the Settings on the User System Definitions Screen.

· Watch the Data Vendor Setting Video at the JCapper Basic Videos link above.

· Watch the SQL Mode Setting Video at the JCapper Basic Videos link above.

· Watch the User Sys Defs Screen Walkthrough Video at the JCapper Basic Videos link above.

· Read the User System Definitions Screen Help Doc (Doc #6) on the Help Docs Page at JCapper.com

d. Need a Primer on Folders, Files, and Windows File Explorer?

· Watch the Downloading HDW Files and using Windows File Explorer Video. It’s the very first video at the JCapper Basic Videos link.

2. Processing HDW Files (JCapper Platinum and Silver)

Learn how to:

1. Persist the Data Vendor setting in the User System Definitions Screen.

Hint: You need to set the Data Vendor Setting to HDW before processing files from HDW. You need to set the Data Vendor to Brisnet before processing files from Brisnet. If you have a dual data enabled version of JCapper, you can process files from either data vendor - but you need to persist the correct Data Vendor setting before processing files from either data vendor.

HINT – this is in the JCapper BASIC Videos. See also the User System Definitions Screen Help Doc.

2. Use the File Download Tool in the HDW File Manager to download files from the HDW Site.

HINT – this is in the JCapper BASIC Videos. See also the HDW File Mgr Help Doc.

3. Use the File Build Filter Tool in the HDW File Manager to run File Build Routines to create .JCP data files and .XRD results files.

HINT – this is in the JCapper BASIC Videos and the HDW File Mgr Help Doc too.

Resources – Videos and Help Docs:

Watch the JCapper Basic Videos on the JCapper 101 Audio Video page at JCapper.com

Read the DFM and DFM Card Loader Help Doc (Doc #5) and the HDW File Manager Help Doc (Doc #8) on the Help Docs Page at JCapper.com

Watch the Data Vendor Setting and SQL Mode Videos in the User System Definitions Screen Help Doc (Doc #6) on the Help Docs Page at JCapper.com

3. Processing Brisnet Files (JCapper Silver and JCapper Platinum)

Learn how to:

a. Persist the Data Vendor setting in the User System Definitions Screen.

Hint: You need to set the Data Vendor to HDW before processing files from HDW. You need to set the Data Vendor to Brisnet before processing files from Brisnet. If you have a dual data enabled version of JCapper, you can process files from either data vendor - but you need to persist the correct Data Vendor setting before processing files from either data vendor.

b. Learn how to Download and Unzip Brisnet Files.

Resources – Videos and Help Docs

Watch the following videos in the Demo User Learning Curve Section on the JCapper 101 Audio Video page at JCapper.com:

1. Data Vendor Setting

2. Brisnet redid their site after being acquired by CDI.

If you want to use Brisnet Files you need to figure out manual download of .DRF or .MCP files from the Brisnet site on your own.

3. Unzipping Files with the File Unzipper (Brisnet Only. The File Unzipper does not apply to HDW Files.)

4. Persisting Data Folders (JCapper Platinum and Silver)

Learn how to:

1. Persist the current active data folder in the DFM (Data Folder Manager) so that all of the other JCapper modules recognize and point to that folder when you first launch them.

2. Persist inactive data folders in the DFM so that you can use the DFM to quickly toggle back and forth between your persisted folders.

Resources – Help Docs

1. Watch the Videos at and Read the DFM (Data Folder Manager) Help Doc (Doc #5) on the Help Docs page at JCapper.com.

2. Spend some time working hands on using the DFM to navigate folders on your machine, persist one of them as the current active data folder, persist others as inactive data folders, and (quickly) toggle back and forth between them.

5. Loading Past Performance Data Files into JCapper (JCapper Platinum and Silver)

Learn to:

1. Use the DFM Card Loader in the DFM to clear previously loaded data files (and scratches) from the program, find past performance data files for today’s races, drag and drop today’s data files onto the interface for the 3 folders persisted in the DFM, and load the data files displayed on the visual interface (after you have finished dragging and dropping them to the folders where you want them to be loaded) into JCapper.

2. The sole reason for loading past performance data files into JCapper: So that you can Run Calc Races Routines to generate Html Reports and view them in the Html Report Viewer, a Web Browser, and the SQL UDM Plays Report. Also so that you can view Past Performances in the Past Performance Generator.

Or put another way: You load data files into JCapper so that you can generate reports for today’s races.

3. Understand that you do not (as in not ever) load past performance data files into JCapper to run Build Database routines. Database build routines are handled separately by the Database Builder and you do not (repeat not – as in not ever) load past performance data files into JCapper for that purpose.

Resources – Help Docs

1. Click the Help menu on the upper left of the DFM Card Loader screen to see BASIC OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS for the DFM Card Loader.

2. Watch the Videos in the DFM Card Loader section of the DFM (Data Folder Manager) Help Doc (Doc #5) on the Help Docs page at JCapper.com

3. Spend some time hands on using the DFM Card Loader to clear previously loaded data files from the program, and to find and load past performances data files for today’s races into the program.

6. Using The Manual Changes Module to persist Scratches and Changes.

Learn how to:

1. Bring up a Race for a Track on the Current Active Data Folder (as well as the other Data Folders.)

2. Setup and Save Scratches for individual horses.

3. Unscratch a mistakenly Scratched horse (uncheck the box and hit Save.)

4. Setup and Save Changes to Track Condition, Surface, and Distance

Learn when to use The Manual Changes Module:

1. For Gate Scratches when time is of the essence.

2. When the Equibase site is down and/or the Equibase Scratches and Changes XML isn’t available.

Resources – Help Docs and Videos

1. Watch the Manual Changes Module Video at the JCapper Basic Videos link.

2. Read the Manual Changes Module Help Doc (Doc #16) on the Help Docs page at JCapper.com

7. Using Scratch BOT to parse Scratches and Changes from the Equibase Scratches and Changes XML

Learn how to:

1. Setup an XML Archive Folder.

2. Parse the Scratches and Changes XML for today’s races in BOT Mode.

3. Manually parse an archived Scratches and Changes XML File for a prior race date.

4. Find a Track in the Track_Abbreviations Table Interface, pull up that track and persist the correct Track_Name to the Notes field of the table so that it matches the track_name in the xml to re-enable Scratch BOT to parse that track from the XML. You need to do this whenever a track directs Equibase to change the track_name in the xml. (NRYA does this for marketing purposes.)

5. Enable parsing Rider Changes from the XML using the Master ON switch in the Enhanced Settings Module. (The JCapper.mdb file that ships with JCapper 2025 contains Jeff’s Enhanced Settings so Rider Changes is enabled when you first download JCapper 2025. But should know how to do this if you accidentally undo one of the settings in the Enhanced Settings Module.)

Resources – Help Docs and Videos

1. Watch the Videos in the Scratch BOT Help Doc (Doc #18) on the Help Docs page at JCapper.com

2. Read the Scratch BOT Help Doc (Doc #18) on the Help Docs page at JCapper.com

8. Generating JCapper Html Reports (Playlist File Mode and SQL Mode)

Learn how to:

1. Run a Calc Races on a single Race.

2. Run a Calc Races on a single Race Card.

3. Run a Calc Races on a single DataFolder.

Resources – Help Docs and Videos

1. Watch the Manual Changes Module Video at the JCapper Basic Videos link above. A Single Race Calc Races is shown just after the 4:40 mark, and launching the Html Report Viewer and displaying the SQL Mode Html Report using the HTML Two Button is shown just after the 5:30 mark.

2. Watch the Processing a Day of .JCP Files from Start to Finish in JCapper 2025 Video at the JCapper Basic Videos link above. A Calc Races on DataFolder1 is shown just after the 9:45 mark, and launching the Html Report Viewer and displaying the SQL Mode Html Report using the HTML One Button is shown just after the 12:18 mark.

9. Reading the Playlist File Mode Html Report and Connecting Dots

Learn how to:

1. Read and Understand the Playlist File Mode Html Report.

2. Start Connecting Dots.

Resources – Help Docs and Videos

1. Watch the Reading the Playlist File Mode Html Report and Connecting Dots Video at the JCapper Basic Videos link above.

2. Read the Glossary of Supported Factors Page at JCapper.com

· Link here: http://www.JCapper.com/FactorsGlossary.ASP

3. Read the Reading the Reports Help Doc (DOC #21) on the Help Docs Page at JCapper.com

10. Generating JCapper Past Performances

Learn how to:

Use the JCapper Past Performance Generator to generate past performance data reports for the races found in past performance data files that have been loaded into JCapper.

2. Customize the appearance of JCapper Past Performances using the Enhanced Settings Module.

Resources – Help Docs

1. Watch the PPs Generator Video at the JCapper Basic Videos link above. Then read the PPs Generator Help Doc (displayed inside the Past Performance Generator itself when you first launch it) or click on the link to the PPs Generator Help Doc on the Help Docs page at JCapper.com.

2. Spend some time hands on generating JCapper Past Performances using the Past Performance Generator. It’s easy: Select a track code from the drop down and then select a race number.

3. Read the Enhanced Settings Module Help Doc on the Help Docs page at JCapper.com.

4. Spend some time hands on with the Enhanced Settings Module. Change a single setting for customizing the appearance of JCapper Past Performances and then re-generate PPs for a race or two. Then put the setting back to its default and regenerate a PPs for the same race. Work with the following settings: STAT Roi Display Type, Time Zone Hrs from GMT, Post Time Display, CXN Stats for Trainers and Jockeys, Company Line Display, and PaceLine Display. The purpose of this exercise is to demonstrate that JCapper Past Performances can be customized.

11. Building JCapper Databases (JCapper Silver and JCapper Platinum)

This is what you need to know:

1. Requirements that need to be met before you can build a database: Unzipped data and results files that match up by track and date sitting on a target folder.

2. Set the Current Active DataFolder in the DFM first. When you launch the DBBuilder it will default to the Current Active DataFolder in the DFM.

3. Understand the 5 Build Modes and when to use each of them. Click the Help button on the DBBuilder for a quick primer.

· Mode 1 – Use this Mode for the very first DBBuild on a new Folder in Playlist File Mode.

· Mode 2 - Use this Mode for subsequent DBBuilds on that Folder in Playlist File Mode.

· Mode 3 – Use this Mode for the very first DBBuild on the very first Folder in SQL Mode.

· Mode 4 – Use this Mode for the very first DBBuild on subsequent Folders in SQL Mode.

· Mode 5 – Use this Mode for subsequent DBBuilds on the current Folder in SQL Mode after adding new race cards.

4. Run a Recovery Setup Routine prior to running a DBBuild to create a Recovery Point.

5. Double Check the DBBuilder Interface (File Type, Build Mode, and Target Folder) prior to clicking the Build Database Button to run a DBBuild.

6. Access .mdb files have a Microsoft imposed file size limit of 2.0 Gigabytes (or 2,000 mb) As your c:\JCapper\Exe\JCapper2.mdb file approaches 1.5 Gigabytes (1,500 mb) in size it’s time to consider archiving it by renaming it to get it out of the way – and replacing it with a copy of the fresh blank current version JCapper2.mdb file that was written to your C:\JCapperBuild Folder during your most recent JCapper Install.

Resources – Videos and Help Docs

1. Watch the Building Databases in JCapper 2025 Videos (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, and Part 4) at the JCapper Basic Videos link.

2. Read the Building JCapper Databases Help Doc (DOC #28) on the Help Docs page at JCapper.com.

3. Work “hands on” with the Program. Try it on your own a few times until you get the hang of it. Don’t be afraid to break a few eggs. You can always Clear a JCapper Database by running a DBBuild in Mode 1 in Playlist File Mode or by running a DBBuild in Mode 3 in SQL Mode.

4. Read the “JCapper2.mdb file – what you need to know” thread in the JCapper 101 forum on the JCapper Message Board.

-- Update as of 09-26-2025 12:45 Pacific Time US:

I have been working over the past several days to cut new Videos for JCapper 2025 and get them embedded into the JCapper Help Docs, the JCapper BASIC Video Index at the JCapper 101 link above, and get the JCapper 101 Class Outline updated for JCapper 2025.

I still have significant work to do.

Everything above the Dotted Line below represents new work.

-jp

Everything below the Dotted Line above has yet to be updated.

-jp

9. Data Window Queries (Playlist File Mode and SQL Mode)

Learn:

1. How to run basic Data Window queries in PlayList file mode.

2. How to run UDMs through the Data Window in PlayList file mode.

3. How to run basic Data Window queries in SQL mode.

4. How to run UDMs through the Data Window in SQL mode.

Resources – Videos and Help Docs

1. Watch the Data Window I and Data Window II videos in the Getting at Your Data Section on the JCapper 101 Audio Video page at JCapper.com.

2. Read the Understanding the Data Window Help Doc at the Help Docs page at JCapper.com.

3. Watch the Data Window III video in either the Getting at Your Data or Operating JCapper in SQL Mode Sections on the JCapper 101 Audio Video page at JCapper.com

4. Spend some time hands on working with the Data Window. Your goal should be to come away with a basic understanding of how to use the Data Window to query a database – both in PlayList file mode and in SQL mode.

10. Data Window Exports (JCapper Silver and JCapper Platinum)

Learn how to run the following Data Window Exports with the Data Window in PlayList file mode:

1. CXN Data Window Export so that you can generate reports for Riders, Trainers, and Owners.

2. Track Profile Data Window Export so that you can generate track profile reports for your favorite racing venues.

Resources – Videos and Help Docs

1. Read the Data Window Exports Help Doc.

2. Watch the Data Window Exports and Reports for Trainers, Riders, and Owners Video in the Getting at Your Data Section on the JCapper 101 Audio Video page at JCapper.com.

3. Work with the Program “hands on.” Run a Jeff’s Track Profile Data Window Export using your Database as the source.

4. Generate a handful of Jeff’s Track Profile Reports for your favorite racing venues. Start discovering “The Demands of the Track.”

11. UDMs (JCapper Silver and JCapper Platinum)

1. Learn how to use the UDM Wizard to create UDMs: - Watch the A Simple Trainer UDM Video.

2. Listen to the Simple Basic UDMs Podcast.

3. Listen to the other Podcasts devoted to creating UDMs.

4. Work with the Program “hands on.” Pick any one idea you might have (a handicapping premise) and use the UDM Wizard to create a UDM based on that premise. Keep it simple. It’s all about learning to use the tools… for the time being.

5. Pick a second handicapping premise. Use the UDM Wizard to create a UDM based on it. Again, keep things simple… for now.

Running UDMs through the Data Window

1. Work with the Program “hands on.” Run your UDMs against your database with the Data Window’s UDM button.

2. Run your UDMs through the Data Window broken out by many different factors. See for yourself where your own UDMs are strong and where they are weak.

3. Work hands on with the program with the Data Window and UDM Wizard open at the same time. Run a UDM through the Data Window broken out by a single factor. Pick a cutoff for that factor based on results you see in the Data Window. Pull up the UDM in the UDM Wizard and set that factor cutoff and save it. Then run your UDM back through the Data Window and notice the improvement in performance. Repeat… repeat… repeat. This is called tuning your UDMs.

12. Daily Reports (JCapper Silver and JCapper Platinum)

Learn How To:

1. Learn how to use the JCapper Past Performance Generator to find and open data files, and generate past performance data reports for the races in each file – Read the JCapper Past Performance Generator Help Doc.

2. Learn how to load JCapper.dat files into the program using the Card Loader: - Watch the Loading race card Files into JCapper with the Card Loader Video.

3. Learn how to Calculate Races and View Reports: - Watch the Calculating Races and Viewing Reports Video.

4. Work with the Program “hands on.” Use the Card Loader (or Screen Two of the File Downloader) to load a JCapper.dat file into the Program. Then run a Calculate Races and View Reports.

5. Scroll through the Supported Factors Page at JCapper.com. Get a basic understanding of the factors in the Program.

6. Learn how to read the Reports and what to look for. Read the Reading the Reports Help Doc. Compare what you see on your own reports to the examples shown in the Help Doc.

Summary

Follow the Class Outline. Learn the material in the exact order in which it is presented. Doing that shortens the learning curve. Skipping steps will only get you in trouble.

- End JCapper 101 Class Outline –

Operating the Basic Program

Below is a Daily Quick Start guide to using JCapper each day to Unzip Files, Load Race Cards, Process Scratches, Calculate Races, and View Reports. The Daily Quick Start Guide presented here is intended as an overview of the steps a JCapper user goes through each day in using JCapper to arrive at potential UDM plays. Keep in mind as you read this quick start guide that as a Demo user the only thing you can’t do is generate same day race reports. That privilege is reserved for Registered Program Owners only. The Demo Version ships with sample reports so that you can follow along with the info presented in the Help Docs. If you want the ability to run same day race reports you have to buy the program. That’s just the way it is.

Here is an outline of what a new user does on a daily basis to operate the basic program to run and view daily reports.

Outline of New User Program Operation for Daily Reports

2. Learn to use Screen One of the File Downloader to download and automatically unzip files onto your Default Data Folder.

3. Learn to use the File Unzipper to find and unzip files at will.

4. Learn to use the Card Loader (the one inside of the DFM is the most current) to clear prior day scratches and load today’s race card files into the program.

5. Learn to use the Manual Changes Module to process scratches and surface/distance changes.

6. Learn to use the Main Module to run a Calc Races routine. Demo Users are restricted to running Calc Races on loaded JCapper.DAT files only.

7. Learn to use the Main Module to launch the Report Viewer. Get a very clear understanding of exactly what you are looking at. Learn exactly what to look for. Read the Reading the Reports Help Doc several times. Make a habit of reviewing your own reports against the report descriptions found in the Reading the Reports Help Doc. Learn to recognize those patterns that are repeated over and over.

File Downloader

The File Downloader (added Jan, 2005) can be used to download past performance and results files directly from the Bris and TSN websites. The File Downloader has a second (hidden) screen, available via the Folder Icon. This second screen provides advanced functionality for both unzipping and loading past performance data files.

The File Downloader can be reached in the following manner:

1. From the Main Module, click FILE DOWNLOADER – or -
2. From the Card Loader, click FILE DOWNLOADER

Screen One

Screen One of the File Downloader is a web browser and is used to download files directly from Bris or TSN (be careful that you connect to the right page.) and save them to your Default Data Folder. Remember, you have to unzip any files that your download.

Screen Two

Screen two (it’s hidden at first) of the File Downloader serves as both a File Unzipper and Card Loader. The interfaces of both the File Unzipper and Card Loader are a little more user friendly than screen two of the File Downloader. So I recommend you use those Modules for unzipping and loading files. But know that you can use screen two of the File Downloader to do both if you want to.

Resize Button

The File Downloader has the ability upon start up to communicate with Windows and size itself according to the current screen resolution. On some machines, most notably those with AMD K-6 chips instead of Intel Pentium chips, Windows is unable to interface properly with the graphics card and is therefore incapable of retrieving the correct screen resolution. Clicking the Resize button will cause the File Downloader to size itself as if it were running in an 800 x 600 screen resolution environment. If you are unable to view the entire screen area of the File Downloader give the Resize button a click.

Unzipping Data Files

The first question new users often ask is: Where do my data files go? When you first install JCapper your Default Data Folder will be c:\2008. Until you go into System Settings and change your Default Data Folder, this is where you should put your unzipped downloaded data files.

JCapper has a pretty handy file unzip tool called the File Unzipper. There is a separate help doc devoted entirely to using the File Unzipper for finding and unzipping files at will. If you are a brand new JCapper user I recommend you open and read that Help Doc once you are finished reading this Quick Start Guide. I also recommend that you open the File Unzipper and refer to it as you follow along with the text in the Help Doc.

JCapper also has the same complete unzip functionality on the second (hidden) screen of the File Downloader. But I recommend you wait a bit before moving on to screen two of the File Downloader. Get yourself completely familiar with the File Unzipper first. Then later, after you have become more familiar with JCapper, you can move on to using Screen Two of the File Downloader to unzip files and Load Race Card Files. By the way, File Downloader Screen Two is covered in detail in the section of this Help Doc devoted to the File Downloader.

Of course you can also use third party unzip utilities such as WinZip or the PkUnzip tool from BRIS to unzip your data files before you load them in the Card Loader. If you do use a third party unzip tool, just be sure that you extract your past performance data and results files onto your c:\2008 Default Data Folder.

Past Performance Data Reports -

Learn how to use the JCapper Past Performance Generator to find and open data files, and generate past performance data reports for the races in each file – Read the JCapper Past Performance Generator Help Doc.

For the sake of convenience, the Overview section of that help doc is presented here:

Overview - The JCapper Past Performance Generator provides fast easy generation of past performance reports. Simply point the module at a target folder, click File... click Open Data File, and then use the dialog box to select the data file that you want. As soon as you load a data file into the module, the Races Drop Down will auto populate with a list of available races in the current data file. From there, select the race that you want and the module will render a past performance report for that race.

Fast, simple, and effective.

Load Race Cards –

Click the Card Loader Button. You'll need to first copy and unzip one or more Bris or TSN past performance data files (or JCapper.DAT files) onto your Default Data Folder. When you first download the program your Default Data Folder will be c:\2008. Then, just use the JCapper Card Loader to load the desired file(s) into JCapper. This is an easy process. You can navigate through your system's folder and file structure just like in Windows Explorer. There's even a button that automatically searches, finds, and loads all data files in your default folder for a given race date. You can also use the File Downloader (added in Jan, 2005) to download and unzip past performance and results files directly from the Bris and TSN websites. The File Downloader's second screen, available via the Folder Icon, also provides functionality for unzipping and loading past performance data files.

When you open the Card Loader and click on the Folder Nav Tool it will display the contents of your Default Data Folder. Any unzipped data files with an extension matching the file type currently selected in the File Type Drop Down will be displayed in the window. The easiest way for new users to load a data file is to simply double click each individual file. There is a separate Help Doc which explains full functionality of the Card Loader in detail. If you are a new JCapper user, I recommend you read the Card Loader Help Doc once you have finished reading this Quick Start Guide.

Scratches and Changes –

Use Scratch Bot, Scratch Parser, or the Manual Changes Module to quickly and easily process any scratches or changes. There are separate Help Docs which explain all functionality of these three modules in detail. You’ll be reading these shortly. Again, that’s outside the scope of this Quick Start Guide.

Calc Races in the Demo Version –

The Demo Version does not allow Demo Users to run Calc Races routines to generate same day race reports. That privilege is reserved for Registered Program Owners only. I used to operate on the honor system and offer people one free 30 day demo. Unfortunately a handful of people abused this privilege and spoiled what was a very nice offer for everybody else. They bombarded me with one free demo request after another and never paid for the program. They used fake names and got free/anonymous email accounts from places like Yahoo and Hotmail faster than I could track IP Addresses. So in the end, even though I hated the idea, I adopted the current system. I hope you can understand why.

Demo users do have the ability to run Calc Races routines to generate previous day race reports. Doing this is really easy. Just use the Card Loader to load JCapper.DAT files instead of Bris or TSN past performance data files.

Q. What is a JCapper.DAT file?

A. JCapper.DAT files are created by the Database Builder during a Build Database Routine. They include both past performance and results data.

Q. How do I get JCapper.DAT files?

A. Two ways:

1. Use the Database Builder to Build a Database. Refer to the Building JCapper Databases Help Doc for coverage on this subject in complete detail.

2. Use the sample JCapper.DAT files included with the Install Package. The install package includes three JCapper.DAT files. You can find these files in your C:\JCapperBuild folder. All three files will have the .DAT file extension. You can load them in the Card Loader by pointing the Card Loader at your C:\JCapperBuild folder or manually copying the sample JCapper.DAT files to your Default Data Folder.

Q. How do I use the Card Loader to load JCapper.DAT files?

A. Change the File Type Drop Down from the default .DRF file extension to the .DAT file extension. All .DAT files in the pointed to folder will then become visible in the Card Loader display. And of course to switch back to .DRF files simply select .DRF from the file type drop down.

Q. How do I run a Calc Races routine to generate previous day race reports?

A. After loading JCapper.DAT files in the Card Loader then click the Calculate Races button. A Calc Races routine will run and you will be able to view an HTML Report in the Report Viewer based on your loaded .DAT files.

Reports –

The Demo Version comes with sample Reports so that you can follow the info presented in the Quick Start Guide and Help Docs. You’ll find them in your c:\JCapperBuild folder. The filenames for the HTML Reports are: Report_1.html and Report_2.html. The filenames for the Text Reports are: AtAPrice.txt and AtAPrice2.txt. If you manually copy them to your Default Data Folder (c:\2008 until you go into System Definitions and change it) you will be able to view both sets of reports in the Report Viewer.

Click the Report Viewer button. The JCapper Report Viewer lets the user toggle back and forth between the HTML Report and the Text Report. The print button on the Report Viewer sends the Text Report to a printer. The Print Button on the HTML Report itself sends the HTML Report to a printer.

HTML Report One - (Filename: Report_1.html) The JCapper HTML Report shows the significant factors with numbers and rankings for every horse in an easy to follow format. All potential UDM plays are highlighted for easy identification. There are hyperlinks so that the user can freely navigate from track to track and race to race. HTML Report One contains information for every race found in all loaded race card files and is created whenever a standard Calc Races routine is run using the Calculate Races button.

HTML Report Two - (Filename: Report_2.html) This JCapper HTML Report is exactly the same as HTML Report One except that it contains information for a single track only and is created whenever a Calc Races is run for a selected single track only.

Text Report One - (Filename: AtAPrice.txt) The JCapper Text Report shows all UDM Plays for the day neatly organized in one place. Here you'll find a header for each race that contains the Track, Race Number, Surface and Distance, and the class descriptor and RaceVolatility for the race. All potential positive expectation UDM plays in each race are laid out for you. Here you'll find post position, name of horse, name of rider, name of trainer, the name of the UDM that the horse qualifies for, morning line odds, and finally, the BettingInstructions from the UDM definition are shown in brackets. Seeing this report leaves very little doubt as to what horse(s) should be played or at what odds. It's right there in a very easy to follow format. Text Report One contains information for all horses that qualify as potential UDM plays in every race found in all loaded race card files and is created whenever a standard Calc Races routine is run using the Calculate Races button.

Text Report Two - (Filename: AtAPrice2.txt) This JCapper Text Report is exactly the same as Text Report One except that it contains information for a single track only and is created whenever a Calc Races is run for a selected single track only.

CSV File One – The JCapper Calc Races routine also creates a comma delimited CSV file designed for use in third party spreadsheet products such as Microsoft Excel. The filename is Plays.CSV and can be found on the Default Data Folder. The information found in this file is similar to that found in the Text Report file. The major advantage of using the CSV Report file over a Text Report is that races can be sorted in post time order. The user also has the ability to rename the file and permanently save it. Advanced users have used this file as a starting point and have added custom fields to their own XLS for the specific purpose of tracking betting results from live play.

CSV File Two – This CSV file is exactly the same as CSV File One except that it contains information for a single track only and is created whenever a Calc Races is run for a selected single track only.

Daily Export Files – The JCapper Calc Races routine also creates the following comma delimited text files:

1. ForBill.TXT- This file contains information about each horse and includes rankings, numeric values, and gaps for hundreds of JCapper factors. Some advanced users use this file as a data source for their own custom handicapping programs.

2. ForBill2.TXT – This file is exactly the same as ForBill.TXT except that it contains information for a single track only and is created when a Calc Races routine is run for a single track only.

3. ForJeff.TXT – This file contains all the information found in the ForBill.TXT file. In addition, those horses that are found by the Profile Marker to fit active UDM Definitions are “marked” with mark characters. Again, some advanced users use this file as a data source for their own custom handicapping programs.

4. ForJeff2.TXT - This file is exactly the same as ForJeff.TXT except that it contains information for a single track only and is created when a Calc Races routine is run for a single track only.

Data Window Exports (and Reports)

Jeff’s Track Profile Export and Report Generator – After building a database, use the Data Window to run a Jeff’s Track Profile Export. This will enable you to generate Track Profile Reports. These reports are essential for understanding the demands of the track. The information and format found on the Jeff’s Track Profile Report is what I used to meticulously maintain (using a spreadsheet) until I grew tired of doing it by hand and decided to make it part of JCapper. Data Window Exports are covered in detail in the Data Window Exports Help Doc.

CXN Exports and Reports - After building a database, use the Data Window to run CXN Exports. This will enable you to generate comprehensive CXN Reports for Trainers, Riders, and Owners. These reports can be essential for getting an understanding of this game along with who is good (and bad) at what. Want some inspiration (and solid starting points) for trainer UDMs? The Overlooked Trainers Report is a great place to start. Data Window Exports are covered in detail in the Data Window Exports Help Doc.

Note about Artificial Surfaces in JCapper -

In JCapper I have decided for the time being not to use a separate surface to describe PolyTrack. Users have the ability to write UDMs and make ImpactValue table entries to require and avoid specific tracks. At the time of this writing the following tracks are running races on artificial surfaces: APX-DMR-GGX-HOL-KEE-PID-SAX-OSA-TPX-WOX. Users wanting to enforce decisions to either require or avoid artificial surfaces can do so by using these (and future) track codes in combination with a surface designation of D* or D.

The Live Play Module in the Demo Version –

The Live Play Module is disabled in the Demo Version. It is disabled for the same reason same day race reports are disabled. You have to buy the program to use it. That doesn’t mean that you should ignore the Live Play Module. Read the Live Play Module Help Doc. Get a basic understanding of the numbers presented (it’s all about value) in the Module and what they mean. Run your own UDMs through the Data Window broken out by some of the numbers on the Live Play Module. If you take the time to create viable UDMs, and are interested in carrying an edge into the long run, you will undoubtedly want to take the time to see your own UDM cutoffs for factors such as Expected Value BettorsToteProb, Expected Value UPRZScoreProb, OR3, and MLOR3.

You’ve come to the end of the Demo User Quick Start Guide.

At this point, after working with the program hands on, you should be getting a feel for whether or not JCapper might be right for you. If you want to continue I recommend working with the program hands on in the following manner:

Read both the Foundations of Database Handicapping Help Doc and the Finding An Edge Help Doc.
Start creating robust UDMs using the same techniques (not necessarily the same factors) that I use in Finding An Edge. Base each UDM on a solid premise and add factor constraints for hidden positives.
Run your UDMs through the Data Window and tune it for hidden positives. No factor is off limits when it comes to tuning.
Build a Validation Database and test your UDMs against that. Confront them with fresh races not seen in the development database. Be sure to include value based factors such as PScore, Race Volatility, MLOR3, OR3, and Expected Value for BettorsToteProb and UPRZScoreProb.

– END DEMO USER QUICK START GUIDE for Demo Users –

Quick Start Guide for Registered Program Owners
Below is a Daily Quick Start guide to using JCapper each day to Unzip Files, Load Race Cards, Process Scratches, Calculate Races, and View Reports. The Daily Quick Start Guide presented here is intended as an overview of the steps a JCapper user goes through each day in using JCapper to arrive at potential UDM plays. Here is an outline of what a new user does on a daily basis to operate the basic program to run and view daily reports.

Outline of New User Program Operation for Daily Reports

1. Learn to use Screen One of the File Downloader to download and automatically unzip files onto your Default Data Folder.

2. Learn to use the File Unzipper to find and unzip files at will.

3. Learn to use the Card Loader to clear prior day scratches and load today’s race card files into the program.

4. Learn to use the Manual Changes Module to process scratches and surface/distance changes.

5. Learn to use the Main Module to run a Calc Races routine.

6. Learn to use the Main Module to launch the Report Viewer. Get a very clear understanding of exactly what you are looking at. Learn exactly what to look for. Read the Reading the Reports Help Doc several times. Make a habit of reviewing your own reports against the report descriptions found in the Reading the Reports Help Doc. Learn to recognize those patterns that are repeated over and over.

File Downloader

The File Downloader can be reached in the following manner:

1. From the Main Module, click FILE DOWNLOADER – or -
2. From the Card Loader, click FILE DOWNLOADER

Screen One

Screen One of the File Downloader is a web browser and is used to download files directly from Bris or TSN (be careful that you connect to the right page.) There is a checkbox labeled Automatically Unzip Downloaded Files. The default setting when you open the File Downloader is that this box is checked. As you download files and if you save them to your Default Data Folder, the File Downloader keeps each file name in memory. When you exit the File Downloader, each file downloaded during the current session is sent to the bulk unzipper.

Resize Button

Unzipping Data Files

Load Race Cards –

Click the Card Loader Button. You'll need to first copy and unzip one or more DRF Single Format Data files onto your Default Data Folder. When you first download the program your Default Data Folder will be c:\2008. Then, just use the JCapper Card Loader to load the desired file(s) into JCapper. This is an easy process. You can navigate through your system's folder and file structure just like in Windows Explorer. There's even a button that automatically searches, finds, and loads all data files in your default folder for a given race date. You can also use the File Downloader (added in Jan, 2005) to download and unzip past performance and results files directly from the Bris and TSN websites. The File Downloader's second screen, available via the Folder Icon, provides functionality for unzipping and loading past performance data files.

When you open the Card Loader and click on the Folder Nav Tool it will display the contents of your Default Data Folder. Any unzipped data files with an extension matching the file type currently selected in the File Type Dropdown will be displayed in the window. The easiest way for new users to load a data file is to simply double click each individual file. There is a separate Help Doc which explains all functionality of the Card Loader in detail. If you are a new JCapper user, I recommend you read the Card Loader Help Doc once you have finished reading this Quick Start Guide.

Scratches and Changes –

Calculate Races –

Click the Calculate Races button and JCapper goes to work. The program performs basic number crunching, making thousands of calculations, for every horse, in all loaded data files. A comma delimited export file is prepared. Some of our users like to import this into a spreadsheet like Excel for their own purposes. The Profile Marker is launched. The past performance record of every horse in all loaded data files is compared against active UDM definitions in the Profile Table. Horses that fit the definitions for any active UDM become marked so that they appear highlighted on all HTML Reports. Marked horses are also written to a separate text file that can be viewed with the JCapper report viewer or opened in Notepad if you like. The HTML Report Builder is launched. An HTML Report is prepared. This report can be viewed using the JCapper Report Viewer or the user's browser of choice. Numbers are formatted in an easy to follow format. All potential UDM plays are marked for easy identification. All of this happens automatically and it also happens fast. With seven or eight loaded race cards and 25-40 active UDMs, the entire process from start to finish takes no more than 3 minutes on most machines. At the end, the user simply sees a message that says "Races Calculated."

Reports –

The download package for the Registered Version contains sample Reports so that you can follow the info presented in the Quick Start Guide and Help Docs. You’ll find them in your C:\JCapperBuild folder. The filenames for the HTML Reports are: Report_1.html and Report_2.html. The filenames for the Text Reports are: AtAPrice.txt and AtAPrice2.txt. If you manually copy them to your Default Data Folder (c:\2008 until you go into System Definitions and change it) you will be able to view both sets of reports in the Report Viewer. However, once you load race card files into the program and run a Calc Races routine, the reports on your Default Data Folder will be replaced by the same day race reports from your own loaded race card files.

Daily Export Files – The JCapper Calc Races routine also creates the following comma delimited text files:

– ForBill.TXT- This file contains information about each horse and includes rankings, numeric values, and gaps for hundreds of JCapper factors. Some advanced users use this file as a data source for their own custom handicapping programs.

– ForBill2.TXT – This file is exactly the same as ForBill.TXT except that it contains information for a single track only and is created when a Calc Races routine is run for a single track only.

– ForJeff.TXT – This file contains all the information found in the ForBill.TXT file. In addition, those horses that are found by the Profile Marker to fit active UDM Definitions are “marked” with mark characters. Again, some advanced users use this file as a data source for their own custom handicapping programs.

– ForJeff2.TXT - This file is exactly the same as ForJeff.TXT except that it contains information for a single track only and is created when a Calc Races routine is run for a single track only.

Data Window Exports (and Reports)

Note about Artificial Surfaces in JCapper -

Note about PolyTrack: In JCapper I have decided for the time being not to use a separate surface to describe PolyTrack. Users have the ability to write UDMs and make ImpactValue table entries to require and avoid specific tracks. At the time of this writing the following tracks are running races on artificial surfaces: APX-DMR-HOL-KEE-PID-TPX-WOX. Users wanting to enforce decisions to either require or avoid artificial surfaces can do so by using these (and future) track codes in combination with a surface designation of D*.

Now that you’ve finished reading Quick Start Guide it’s time to work with JCapper “hands on:”

READ the Help Docs for both the File UnZipper and Card Loader and actually download and unzip a handful of data and results files onto your Default Data Folder.
Build a Database using your Default Data Folder as the target folder.
Run some ALL Button queries in the Data Window.
Create a handful of Simple Basic UDMs in the UDM Wizard.
Run some UDMs through the Data Window using the UDM Button.
Use the Card Loader (or screen two of the File Downloader) to load a few data files into JCapper.
Use the Manual Changes Module to scratch and un-scratch horses. It’s easy but you need to know how.
Click the Calculate Races Button to run a Calc Races and then click the Report Viewer button to view reports.
READ the Reading the Reports Help Doc. Get an understanding of what the numbers mean. Further that understanding by running some Data Window queries broken out by the numbers that interest you.
Run a Jeff’s Track Profile Export from the Data Window Menu. Launch the companion Report Generator and run a few Jeff’s Track Profile Reports for various surface-distance categories at your favorite tracks. Get an understanding of the demands of the track wherever you decide to play.
Launch the CXN Exports Module from the Data Window Menu. Run a CXN Export for Trainers and Riders. Launch the companion Report Generator and generate (and look at) the Overlooked Trainers Report. Get a working understanding of who is good (and bad) at what wherever you play.

At this point, after working with the program hands on, you should start to get a feel as to whether or not JCapper might be right for you. If you want to continue I recommend you work with the program hands on in the following areas:

Read both the Foundations of Database Handicapping Help Doc and the Finding An Edge Help Doc.
Create a UDM using the same technique (not necessarily the same factors) that I use in Finding An Edge. Create a UDM around a solid premise and tune it from there.
Run your UDM through the Data Window and tune it for hidden positives. No factor is off limits when it comes to tuning.
Build a Validation Database and test your UDM against that. Confront it with fresh races not seen in the development database.

– END QUICK START GUIDE for Registered Program Owners –

Modules

JCapper is broken up into modules. Each module is designed to help you perform specific tasks related to your daily workload as a horseplayer. Here are the current JCapper Modules as of this writing:

The Complete Program and its Modules

· Help Doc Viewer

· File Downloader

· File Unzipper

· Card Loader

· Scratch Bot

· Scratches Parser

· Manual Changes Module

· Profile Marker

· HTML Report Generator

· Report Viewer

· Dutching Tool

· Live Play Module

· Database Builder

· Quick Index File Extract Tool

· Data Window

· Bankroll Simulation Module

· UDM Wizard

· Profile Table Interface

· System Settings Interface

· Impact Value Tables Interface

Help Doc Viewer

The Help Doc Viewer serves two purposes. First, it provides a user interface for performing and troubleshooting JCapper Installs. Second, it provides a user interface for opening and viewing JCapper Help Docs.

Viewing Help Docs

To access the Help Doc Viewer, click the Help Documents button on the JCapper Main Module. This will open the Help Doc Viewer. To view an index of available Help Documents, click the JCapper Help Documents menu item located in the Help Doc

Viewer's left side menu pane. This will cause an index of available Help Documents to appear in the center window. To enlarge the center window, click the ">>" double arrow image located near the upper right edge of the center window.. To return the center window to its default size, click the ">>" double arrow image while the center window is enlarged. To open and view an individual Help Doc, click the Help Doc Title in the center window. To exit the Help Doc Viewer, click the Exit menu item located in the Help Doc Viewer's left side menu pane.

Help Doc Formats

Most of the Help Docs are in .doc file format and are designed to be viewed in Microsoft Word or equivalent word processor. If your system has a program like Word installed on it capable of rendering .doc files, the Help Docs will automatically open in that program after the Help Doc Title in the center window has been clicked. If your system lacks a word processor capable of rendering .doc files, a word processor named Jarte is available as a free download from the following URL: http://www.jarte.com/download.html It's not as full featured as Microsoft Word, but it will enable you to view and print the Help Docs. Some of the Help Docs are in html format. These files will render in your web browser after the Help Doc Title in the center window has been clicked.

-end section on Help Doc Viewer

Card Loader

The JCapper Card Loader can be accessed by clicking the Load Race Cards button on the JCapper Main Module. A separate Help Doc, titled Loading Race Cards with the JCapper Card Loader, covers the operation of the Card Loader in complete detail. The Card Loader provides a user interface for loading past performance data files so that reports can be generated for today's races. For the benefit of users brand new to JCapper, it should be pointed out that using the Card Loader to load past performance data files relates to viewing reports for a handful of race cards only (15-20 being a practical maximum.) The user interested in creating a database and performing research should look to the Database Builder and Data Window for those tasks.

Scratch Bot

Scratch Bot can be accessed by clicking the Scratch Bot button on the JCapper Main Module. A separate Help Doc, titled Processing Scratches with the New Scratch Bot, covers the operation of Scratch Bot in complete detail. Scratch Bot was designed to give the user/player with direct internet access the means of downloading and importing fresh scratches and changes as they occur throughout the race day.

Scratches Parser

I am currently working on completion of a separate Help Doc titled Processing Scratches with the Scratches Parser. Once complete, this document will cover the operation of the Scratches Parser in detail. Other JCapper related projects, such as adding new features to the program and updating other Help Docs, have taken precedence and rightly so. Until the time comes when I can complete a separate doc on the Scratches Parser, the basic operating instructions for the Scratches Parser presented below should suffice:

Accessing the Scratches Parser

The Scratches Parser can be accessed by clicking the button labeled Scratches Parser on the JCapper Main Module. The Scratches Parser acts as a web browser. It actually uses the Internet Explorer libraries on your system to navigate to and render web pages. Upon startup, the Scratches Parser will load and render the Bris Scratches Index page. This is a page on the Bris website where scratches for all of today's race cards are made available. Users must have a Bris user account in order to download scratches from this site. Bris currently offers scratches from this site to their members at no charge.

Using the Scratches Parser to Process Scratches

Here are the steps to follow for Processing Scratches with the Scratches Parser:

1. Start the Scratches Parser by clicking the button labeled Scratches Parser on the JCapper Main Module.

2. Select a Race Card by clicking the date link for the track you want to get scratches for.

3. Enter your Bris userid and password in the box and click OK. After authentication, the Bris web page containing available scratches will appear.

4. Click the Parse Scratches button. Scratches Parser will then parse the Bris web page listing the scratches and import them into JCapper.

5. Click the Home button to return to the Bris Scratches Index Page and select other tracks as needed.

6. Close the Scratches Parser by clicking the red X located in the upper right hand corner of the screen.

Notes on Scratches Parser

That's all there is to it. Well, almost. Here are a couple of notes regarding proper operation of the Scratches Parser:

1. Clear Scratches button - Important - JCapper stores its Scratches on the Default Data folder in a text file named Scratches.txt. Clicking the Clear Scratches button will clear all scratches by clearing this file. As a best practice it is recommended that you click the Clear Scratches button at the start of each new race day before obtaining new scratches for the day. This will prevent system slowdowns that can result if the Scratches.txt file grows too large (several thousand scratches entries.) This will also prevent the file from becoming corrupted. The Clear Scratches buttons/functions present in the Scratches Parser, Manual Changes Module, Scratch Bot, Card Loader, and File Downloader all perform the same task. It does not matter which module is used to clear scratches just so long as scratches are cleared once per race day preferably at the start of each new race day.

2. Updating Scratches during the Race Day

Bris generally makes scratches available starting at about 30 minutes prior to post time for race one at each track. One drawback is that Bris very seldom updates the web pages available from their Scratches Index Page throughout the race day. For scratches updates throughout the race day I recommend using Scratch Bot or the Manual Changes Module. The purpose of the Scratches Parser is to give the player who takes his notebook computer or JCapper printouts to the track or OTB a way to get scratches before leaving the house.

3. Calculating Races

Any time any JCapper module is used to import fresh scratches, and this applies to Scratches Parser, Scratch Bot, and the Manual Changes Module, you will need to re-calculate races by clicking the Calculate Races button on the Main Module in order to see the effects of the new scratches and/or race changes.

-end section on Scratches Parser

The Manual Changes Module

The Manual Changes Module can be accessed by clicking the Manual Changes button found on the JCapper Main Module. A separate Help Doc, titled Processing Scratches with the Manual Changes Module, covers the operation of the Manual Changes Module in complete detail. The Manual Changes Module provides a user interface for manually scratching horses and entering surface/distance changes. The Manual Changes Module was designed to give the user/player without direct internet access a means of manually keeping up with fresh scratches and surface/distance changes throughout the race day.

-end section on The Manual Changes Module

Using JCapper for Database Research and Live Play

The next section of this Help Doc focuses on using JCapper as a research tool and developing your own UDMs.

Outline of Program Operation for Database Research and Live Play

1. Learn to download matched pairs of data & results files onto target (Default Data) folder.

2. Learn to Unzip matched pairs of data & results files on target (Default Data) folder.

3. Learn to point the Database Builder at target (Default Data) folder and perform a Rebuild Database from Scratch.

4. Learn to use the Data Window to run simple queries against the database with the ALL button.

5. Learn to use the UDM Wizard to create simple UDMs.

6. Learn to use the Data Window to run UDMs against the database with the UDM button.

7. Learn to use the Quick Index File Extract Tool to create Quick Index Files.

8. Learn to use the UDM Wizard to create UDMs that are gradually more and more complex as your knowledge of what you are doing grows over time. Eventually you will find yourself creating Tight Model UDMs.

9. Learn to use your UDMs profitably during live play.

10. Learn to maintain multiple databases and use them as development and validation samples.

Database Builder

The Database Builder can be accessed by clicking the Build Database button found on the JCapper Main Module. A separate Help Doc, titled Building JCapper Databases, covers the operation of the Database Builder in complete detail. The Database Builder provides a user interface for building a database using your existing past performance data and results files. The Database Builder was designed to create files in a format readable by the JCapper Data Window and give the non-programming horseplayer the ability to perform his or her own research by running queries against that database.

Quick Index File Extract Tool

The Quick Index File Extract Tool can be accessed by clicking the Quick Index File Extract button found on the JCapper Main Module or the QX button found on the Data Window. You can use the Quick Index File Extract tool to extract a Quick Index File from any of your PlayList files. A Quick Index File is identical to a PlayList file, but contains only those starters in it that match the parameters selected by the user at build time. The Quick Index File Extract tool allows users to build Index Files by various combinations of both factor and rank. Index Files can be built that contain only the starters from an individual trainer, only those starters from an individual track, and only those starters where rank equals a selected value for a selected factor. An Index File created where JRating Rank = 1 will only have those starters that are the top ranked JRating horse from each race. Given that 8 horses is the average field size for all races, a Data Window query using a Quick Index File will run approximately 8 times faster than the same query run using the PlayList file from which the Quick Index File was extracted.

To create a Quick Index File, follow these steps:

1. Start the Quick Index File Extract Tool by clicking the Quick Index File Extract button found on the JCapper Main Module or the QX button found on the Data Window.

2. Select a Factor/Extract Type from the Factors/Extract Type Drop Down.

3. Select Rank from the Rank Drop Down.

4. Click the Folder Icon. Use the Folder Nav Tool to browse folders on your system and navigate to the folder where your source PlayList file is located

5. Click the Build Index button. Select your source PlayList file and open it.

That's it. The Quick Index File Extract Tool will create a Quick Index File containing only those starters fitting the parameters for factor and/or rank that you selected.

Notes on the Quick Index File Extract Tool

Folder Icon - The Folder Icon is used throughout JCapper to allow directory or folder browsing. Clicking the Folder Icon will open the Folder Nav Tool. Double Click an individual folder to select it. Each time a new folder is selected, the folder name will appear on the Build Index button and on the blue title bar at the top of the module's screen. Close the Folder Nav Tool at any time by clicking the module screen outside of the Folder Nav Tool's border.

+Create New Index - This is the default setting. When +Create New Index is selected, the Quick Index File Extract Tool will create a new quick index file, overwriting any existing quick index file in the same folder having the same file name. File names are based on the factor selected from the factors drop down.

-Add to Existing Index - When -Add to Existing Index is selected, instead of creating a new quick index file, the Quick Index File Extract Tool will append to any existing quick index file in the pointed to folder. This makes it possible for the user to create quick index files spanning databases located in multiple folders.

Quick Index Files Spanning Multiple Databases - It is possible for the user to create quick index files spanning databases located in multiple folders. For example, users who maintain one folder and database for each quarter during a calendar year might find it desirable to create a single JRating quick index file containing information extracted from all four databases. Data Window query speed on the JRating quick index file will be markedly faster than query speed using quarterly PlayList files.

To create quick index files spanning databases from multiple folders, use the following strategy: First, point the Quick Index File Extract Tool to Folder A and create a new Quick Index File in folder A. Then, copy your Quick Index File from Folder A to Folder B. Then, point the Quick Index Extract Tool to Folder B, and select - +Add to Existing Index and create the same type of index for Folder B that you just copied from Folder A. Instead of creating a new file, the Quick Index File Extract Tool will append Folder B's information to the Quick Index File that you copied in from Folder A. The resulting Quick Index File in Folder B now contains data from both Folder A and Folder B. You can now copy Folder B's Quick Index File to Folder C and repeat the process as needed...

A Down and Dirty Example –

Q. I have HOL on one large database and OSA on another. What is the best way to combine them into one database?

A. Here's how:

1. From inside the Quick Index File Extract Tool, run a #14 Track Index extract for the first track - in this case HOL. Enter HOL as the track code. Click the GO button and open the large PlayList file that contains the HOL cards you want to extract. When the extract is complete you will have the following file on your target folder and it will only contain data from races run at HOL: pl_Track_HOL.txt

2. Do the same thing for your second (or third or 4th, etc track) - in this case OSA. From inside the Quick Index File Extract Tool, run a #14 Track Index extract for OSA. Click the GO button and open the smaller PlayList file that contains the OSA cards you want to extract. It's ok if the second Playlist file resides on a different folder. Just use the Folder Icon/Nav Tool or use the Folder Navigation Interface within the Open a PlayList File Dialoag Box to switch folders. When the extract is complete you will have the following file on your target folder and it will only contain data from races run at OSA: pl_Track_OSA.txt

Ok, that's how you get data extracted for individual tracks. Now, on to the second part of your question: How do you combine them?

From inside the Quick Index File Extract Tool:

1. Open up the extract type drop down and scroll UP. Select 0 Complete History. Then hit the Go button and open up the first track extract that you ran: pl_Track_HOL.txt. The Quick Index File Extract Tool will create the following file on your Default Data Folder: pl_Complete_history.txt. It will contain all of the data that exists in the file that you opened - in this case pl_Track_HOL.txt. The file named pl_Complete_history.txt created in this step will actually be a replica of the file named pl_Track_HOL.txt.

2. Use the Quick Index File Extract Tool's Add to Existing Option. From inside of the Quick Index File Extract Tool change the drop down labeled + Create New Index to - Add to Existing Index. Then hit the Go button and open up the second track extract that you ran: pl_Track_OSA.txt. The Quick Index File Extract Tool will extract data from the file you just opened (pl_Track_OSA.txt) and append it to the pl_Complete_history.txt file on your Default Data Folder created in step 1 above.

At this point you have a file named pl_Complete_history.txt that contains the data from both of your single track extracts. To preserve that file and prevent it from being overwritten during any future Quick Index File Extract Tool Complete History routines you might run - simply rename it. Keep the first three characters "pl_" (without the quote characters) and name it to something that makes sense to you. Something like "pl_SOCAL_Poly.txt" (again without the quotes) would do the trick here.

Once you've done a few of these and understand how the Quick Index File Extract Tool works, running a Complete History operation is actually pretty simple. In real life it probably takes longer to find (it's in a help doc somewhere) and read the instructions than it does to perform the actual operation.

Common Dialog Control - The Common Dialog Control used throughout JCapper for selecting and opening files has some functionality that goes beyond what you see at first glance. The Dialog Control also gives you access to many of the same libraries available to Windows Explorer. Because of this, when you open a Common Dialog Control and point to a folder, you can also perform many of the same functions that you could if you were using Windows Explorer to point to the same folder. You can right click on any file, and copy the file to the ClipBoard by selecting copy. You can also delete any file. You can right click in the white space between file names, allowing you to perform any number of the same things available to you in Windows Explorer such as creating/renaming folders and pasting files to the current folder. The Common Dialog Control also provides built in navigation elements that allow you to browse to other drives and folders.

-end section on Quick Index File Extract Tool -

The Data Window

The JCapper Data Window provides a comprehensive interface enabling the user to perform his or her own research, querying a JCapper database to discover the performance of any single factor, or combination of factors, supported by JCapper. The Data Window was designed so that it can be used by those who have absolutely no knowledge of computer programming. Individual factors may be included as part of a query simply by selecting them from Drop Downs. Queries involving combinations of factors may involve a learning curve, but rest assured, every possible combination of supported factors found in a JCapper Database can be tested using the Data Window.

A separate Help Doc, titled Understanding the JCapper Data Window, covers operation of the Data Window in complete detail.

-end section on the Data Window -

Building UDMs

At some point, most players will want to create their own User Defined Models or UDMs. A basic understanding of what a UDM actually is might be helpful to the new user. A UDM is simply a definition of a spot play stored in the Profile Table of the JCapper Database. A UDM Definition can be as simple or as complex as the player desires. A UDM Definition consists of settings for numeric value, rank, and gap for each of the factors being used in the UDM itself. A very simple example of a UDM might be something like this:

Simple text description: A UDM named Cpace1 that uses the top ranked CPace horse no matter what the surface or distance.

This UDM, in terms of the definitions of its factors, can be expressed as follows:

UDM Name: CPace1

Distance: *ALL

Surface: *ALL

Factor: CPace

Min Rank: 1

Max Rank: 1

In this example and this is the case with all UDMs, the value for each of the settings used is stored in a corresponding field in the Profile Table for that setting. The actual values found in the Profile Table for the above UDM are listed below:

Field Name Field Value

Profile CPace1

Active -1

SurfaceReq *

DistReq *

CPaceTest -1

CPaceMinVal -999

CPaceeMaxVal 999

CPaceMinRank 1

CPaceMaxRank 1

CPaceMinDiff -999

CPaceMaxDiff 999

Both the Data Window and Profile Marker contain logic having the ability to compare the rank, numeric value, and gap for any of the supported factors in the program for any horse against the UDM Definition stored in the Profile Table for every UDM and determine, True or False, whether or not the horse being considered qualifies as a potential play according to the UDM Definition of the current UDM. In the case of a Data Window query, the qualifying horse is listed as a play in the results display while the non-qualifying horse is simply ignored. In the case of the Profile Marker, the qualifying horse is marked as a play on the reports and the non-qualifying horse is simply ignored.

Obviously, the real power of UDMs comes into play when the user/player performs his or her own Data Window research and then creates UDMs to take advantage of discoveries made during that research. After quite a bit of correspondence teaching new users how to set up UDMs, I have come to the conclusion that there are really five basic types of UDMs. The really sophisticated user may sometimes choose to blur the lines a little bit by creating UDMs that use the basic concepts of more than one UDM type - but for the most part -there are five basic UDM types that I have seen put into successful play. They are listed below:

1. Speed and Pace

2. Track Specific

3. Trainer Specific

4. Sire Specific

5. Negative Expectation

Speed and Pace UDMs

Speed and Pace UDMs are probably the most common types of UDMs. Here the user/player attempts to create models that take advantage of the unique numbers found in JCapper. I tend to think of JCapper's premier ratings (in no particular order of effectiveness) as: JRating, CPace, Weighted Figure, Form Rating, Pace Model Index, Optimization Points, Race Strength, and Race Volatility. It is not very hard at all for the new user to create break even UDMs (from a flat $2.00 win bet perspective) just by doing a little Data Window Research and using combinations of these factors as part of the UDM Definition.

Track Specific UDMs

Track Specific UDMs are another common type of UDM. Here, the user/player makes the three character Track Code, Surface, and Distance part of the UDM Definition and creates models that attempt to take advantage of the way an individual racing surface might be playing. Some racing surfaces are deep and tiring. Others are consistently more tightly packed and less tiring. I like to use the analogy of sand at the beach. I am a runner. One of my favorite places to run is at the beach. The sand right along the water's edge, because of the moisture content, is very easy to run on. It has very little give to it and just the right amount of spring. Because of this, I can run all day on it. If I change my path and run on the dry sand 50 or 60 feet from the water's edge, the first thing I notice is that the sand is much deeper. Each step I take finds my foot sinking well into it. As a result, if I choose to run there, I'll get tired very quickly. Horses running on the track are no different. Horses running on or near the lead on a deep and tiring surface will fade in the stretch. Races on deep and tiring surfaces are most likely to be won by horses that are not asked to run until the final third of the race. On the other hand, horses running on or near the lead on a firmly packed non-tiring surface will continue to run in the stretch. As a result, it is more difficult for closing horses to get past them.

There are several factors in JCapper that can be used to measure the tendencies of specific racing surfaces. In no particular order, they are: CPace, AVGE1, PctE, Closing Ratio, Q Speed Points, PAL, L3, Rail Position and Pace Index. My two personal favorites are PctE rank and CPace rank. I like to run an entire race meet through the Data Window broken out by these two factors to get a general idea - a benchmark - as to how a given racing surface is playing. Then I run a data summary for the most recent three days and note any differences. If more winners than expected are coming from the top ranked positions for PctE and CPace then I know the racing surface is not deep and tiring and will most likely favor early speed.

The player who pays attention to and studies such things can gain an edge over the crowd on the individual racing surface(s) he or she follows. He or she can create UDMs to take advantage of racing surfaces that are either deep and tiring, hard packed and non-tiring, or that have either inside or outside path biases. The player who does this can activate or deactivate UDMs at will with a simple mouse click as the circumstances at the racing surface being followed dictates.

Trainer Specific UDMs

Trainer Specific UDMs are another common type of UDM. Here, the user makes the trainer name part of the UDM Definition and creates models that attempt to take advantage of the way the individual trainer preps his or her starters to win races. Some trainers excel under certain circumstances and have dismal records under other circumstances. With trainer specific UDMs, the user might want to think like a trainer. A good strategy for the new user would be to use the Quick Index File Extract Tool to create an index file containing the starters of a single trainer only. Then look at that trainer's starters in terms of factors that trainers might think about when prepping their starters. The following list of factors can be very useful for creating trainer specific UDMs and should more than get you started: XthStartAfterLayoff, XthStartAtTheMeet, XthStartAfterLasix, Claim Starts, Claim Days, Distance Shift, Class Shift, Surface Shift, Recent Activity Days Last Start, Recent Activity Days Last Work, Age of Horse in Years, Track Name, and Class Descriptor. Generally, the user will find fewer plays with trainer specific UDMs than with Speed and Pace UDMs. But, if the user has been able to measured trainer intent with any accuracy, the plays found with trainer specific UDMs can be of a higher quality than those normally found with other types of UDMs.

Trainer Name Matching

One important note: in order to make Trainer Specific UDMs work it is imperative that the user get a name match between the trainer name used in the UDM Definition and the trainer name listed in the past performance data file. A trainer name listed in a Bris data file will often be different than the trainer name for the same trainer listed in a TSN data file. It is therefore important to know how your data provider lists the trainer name in your data files. You must get a match between the trainer name in your UDM Definition and the trainer name in the data file. My recommendation along these lines is very simple. As a best practice, in your UDM Definition, simply use the trainer's last name followed by a space followed by the first letter of the trainer's first name. This should provide a proper name match in almost all cases.

Sire Specific UDMs

Sire Specific UDMs are another type of UDM. Here, the user makes the sire name part of the UDM Definition and creates models that attempt to take advantage of tendencies shown by the progeny of specific sires. The offspring of some sires have historically performed very well under specific circumstances. Factors that can be of help to the user when creating sire specific UDMs, in no particular order, are: Age of Horse in Years, Starts Lifetime, Track Name, Distance, Surface, Track Condition, Recent Activity Days Last Start, and possibly Recent Activity Days Last Work. Generally, Sire Specific UDMs yield the fewest number of plays of any UDM type. But in cases where the user is able to perform research and discover the tendencies of the offspring of specific sires, it is possible to create UDMs yielding plays with a very high quality.

To invoke a SIRE conditional in a UDM Definition, key the characters SIRE into the Special Filters field of the Profile table and key the Sire Name into the Notes field of the Profile Table.

Sire Name Matching

One important note: in order to make Sire Specific UDMs work it is imperative that the user get a name match between the sire name used in the UDM Definition and the sire name listed in the past performance data file. My recommendation along these lines is very simple. As a best practice, in your UDM Definition, simply use the sire name in its entirety.

Negative Expectation UDMs

Another type of UDM is the Negative Expectation UDM. Here, the sophisticated user attempts to create UDMs used to identify horses with characteristics that research has shown to have dismal historical performances. Here, any and all factors in the program might be fair game. There are riders whose records in races run on turf or off tracks are simply abysmal. There are trainers whose starters never seem to win when entered in races of a given class descriptor - or never win when first off the claim - or when stretching out, etc. Many users have reported good success in using both Preset and Dynamic Filters in their Negative Expectation UDMs. The general idea of a Negative Expectation UDM is a simple one: Perform Research with the Data Window and discover combinations of factors that point to horses having very little chance of running in the money. Then create UDMs to identify those horses - and avoid them when playing.

Mark Characters

Mark Characters refers to a two character code stored in the MarkChars field of the Profile Table. Mark Characters are used by the Profile Marker and HTML Report Builder as a means of distinguishing between positive expectation and negative expectation UDMs. Valid Mark Characters for a positive expectation UDM are two forward slash characters: "//" Valid Mark Characters for a Negative Expectation UDM are two hat characters: "^^" Negative Expectation UDMs are displayed in gray font on the HTML Report and can be created in the UDM Wizard by using "^^" as the Mark Characters instead of "//".

General Guidelines for UDM Construction

There is a learning curve involved when it comes to creating UDMs. After teaching many users to create UDMs of their own I have discovered that there are actually two phases to the learning curve.

Phase One

The first part of the learning curve for UDM construction is all about learning how the software works, and how best to put it to work in bringing your ideas for UDMs into reality. This is the easy part. Experiment a little. Spend some "hands on" time with the software and create a few UDMs of your own. Pick out a few of the factors and set some ranks and gaps. Then run your UDM through the Data Window broken out by the factors you have chosen. Look at the output and see what effect changing the ranks and gaps has on your results. Pick out a Preset Filter or two and do the same thing. Leave Dynamic Filters alone until you get a little farther along. The whole point during this phase isn't so much creating profitable UDMs as it is learning how JCapper does the things that it does. As you get more and more experience with JCapper, using it to create UDMs eventually becomes a thing of second nature.

Phase Two

The second part of the learning curve for UDM construction involves acquiring the skill it takes to systematically create profitable UDMs. Learning to do this is the one thing every new user seems to be most interested in and is probably the reason they signed up for JCapper in the first place. Systematically creating profitable UDMs is a skill set that has to be learned. I strongly believe that JCapper does a very nice job of bringing this skill set within reach of the user - if and only if that user is willing to put in the time. In the paragraphs that follow I have listed out some general guidelines that, in my experience, when followed closely, will help the new user to get there in the shortest amount of time.

Step One: Finding Contenders

The initial effort when constructing a UDM should focus on laying the foundation or identifying contenders. For Speed and Pace UDMs I suggest using combinations of some of the premier ratings in JCapper. Factors such as JRating, CPace, Weighted Figure, Form Rating, Pace Model Index, Optimization Points, and Race Strength should prove very useful during this phase of UDM construction. For Trainer Specific UDMs, you should focus on combining factors such as Trainer Name, XthStartAfterLayoff, XthStartAtTheMeet, XthStartAfterLasix, Claim Starts, Claim Days, Distance Shift, Class Shift, Surface Shift, Recent Activity Days Last Start, Recent Activity Days Last Work, Age of Horse in Years, Track Name, and Class Descriptor. The basic goal when finding contenders during UDM construction should be to identify combinations of factors that yield: lots of plays, a reasonably good win rate, and a flat bet win roi that is significantly better than the general population of horses as a whole. During this phase of UDM construction it is not necessary to generate profits. A good target to shoot for during this phase is a flat bet win roi in the nineties (.90 or higher.)

Step Two: Filters

In the second phase of UDM construction, focus your efforts on weeding out the bad ones. Spend some time running your UDM through the Data Window and test it using some Preset and/or Dynamic Filters. Here, simple logic prevails. Whenever you are able to identify and remove a set of horses that are really poor bets, the remaining set of horses must be an improvement over the set of horses that you had to start with. During this phase, a good target to shoot for is and roi improvement of five to ten percent.

Step Three: Value

In the third phase of UDM construction, focus your efforts on finding value. There are factors in JCapper that are there specifically for this purpose. Here's a short list that should be helpful: Race Volatility, Field Size, PScore, Morning Line Rank, Morning Line Num, Morning Line Odds Ratio, Morning Line Odds Ratio II, Divisor, Odds Ranges, AProbOL, and PScoreOL. Here, the goal is attaining profitability. So run your UDM through the Data Window using some of the above factors. If you've laid a solid foundation, you might find that the public is consistently overlooking your plays in larger fields, when the morning line odds maker misses the mark, or when the factors inherent in PScore scare money away from your UDM selections.

Step Four: Validation

The fourth step of the process is Validation. It is surprising to me how few users actually make the effort to do this. This is a very necessary step. It is very possible, even likely, that you will have introduced some degree of back fitting or over fitting into your data set during step one when identifying contenders. This is especially likely if you spent too much time and effort refining your results with closely related factors while identifying contenders.

During Validation, what you do is confront your UDM with data it hasn't seen yet. Run your UDM through the Data Window using a sizeable chunk of recent data not used during any phase of its construction. Data Window output of your UDM run against Validation Data should look very similar to Data Window output of your UDM run against the sample used during its creation. If this is not the case, there is a very good chance that over fitting or back fitting was introduced into the UDM at some point. I personally handle this situation in this way: I do not to try and re-fit the UDM. Instead, I simply scrap it and start over.

Live Play

Whenever I am able to validate a UDM, I immediately add it to those I use for live play. To the new user, let me make one recommendation. Whenever you place a UDM into live play, start out in a small way. Take a smallish starting bankroll - you have to decide what smallish is - and bet a percentage of that bankroll on each one of your UDM's qualifying plays. If you have success with your UDM - and there is no way that I can guarantee that you will - the bankroll devoted to that UDM will grow as you make plays over time. As the bankroll grows the amount of money bet on each qualifying play also grows, as does your confidence in the UDM itself, as will your confidence in your own ability to systematically create new profitable UDMs.

Tracking Your Results

The public gradually picks up on trends over time. Therefore, the game is an ever changing one. What works today may not work tomorrow. UDMs do have a shelf life. How long is that shelf life? Hard to say. The shelf life of each UDM will be different. It depends on the factor mix of the UDM itself as well as what trends the betting public is able to pick up on. Allow me to make one suggestion to both the new and experienced user. Periodically check the effectiveness of each of your UDMs against current data. Deactivate or delete those that have reached the end of their shelf life - where the performance has tailed off significantly over an extended period of time.

-end section on building UDMs-

System Settings/System Definitions

The System Settings/System Definitions screen is accessible from the JCapper Main Module by clicking the System Settings button followed by clicking the System Definitions button.

The following is a list of system settings that may be defined by the user on the System Settings/System Definitions screen:

Layoff Definition in Days- The system default for a layoff is 45 days. The user may override the default by entering a value between 1 and 999 and clicking the SAVE button.

Append to Database During Database Build- The default setting for database builds is a Build from Scratch. To override the default and Append to Database During Database Build, check the box and click the SAVE button.

Include Payoffs for Entry Mates – The system default for this setting is unchecked. When checked, during a database build, the Database Builder will include entry mate payoffs in the results for horses that are coupled in the wagering. Example: A horse is part of an entry in the wagering. The horse runs and finishes out of the money. His entry mate wins the race. If the box is checked, the mutuel payoffs earned by the entry mate will be shown in the Data Window for queries involving the first horse. If the box is not checked, entry mate payoffs are not shown in results returned by Data Window queries.

Odds Line Display Type- This setting allows users to select from among the various odds lines in the program. The odds line type selected here is the odds line that will appear on the HTML Report and is the default odds line used by the Data Window when evaluating UDMs that have an OL Test as part of the UDM Definition.

Display Trainer Name on HTML Report- The default setting is to not display trainer names on the HTML Report. To override the default and display trainer names on the HTML Report check the box and click the SAVE button.

Display Owner Name on HTML Report-. The default setting is to not display owner names on the HTML Report. To override the default and display owner names on the HTML Report check the box and click the SAVE button.

Page Break After Each Race – When this setting is checked, HTML Page Break characters are inserted at the bottom of the HTML Report for each race. The Page Break characters are not visible when viewing the HTML Report on computer screens. But whenever the HTML Report is sent to a printer and printed out on paper the Page Break characters cause your printer to insert a page break immediately after the HTML Report for each race has been printed. The result is that HTML Reports will print out one race per page. When this setting is not checked and the HTML Report is sent to the printer, your printer will print as much content on each sheet of paper as room on that sheet of paper allows and then print remaining content for that race on the next sheet of paper. The default for this setting when you first download the program is that the box is unchecked. To override the default and print the HTML Report one race per page check the box and click the SAVE button.

Display Available Wager Types – When this setting is checked a list of available wager types for the current race is displayed in the Race Header for each race on both the HTML Report and Text Report. A separate field containing a list of available wager types is also written to Plays.CSV files. The default for this setting when you first download the program is that the box is unchecked. To override the default and display a list of available wager types on your reports check the box and click the SAVE button.

Highlight Morning Line Overlays on the HTML Report. The default setting is to not Highlight Morning Line Overlays on the HTML Report. To override the default and Highlight Morning Line Overlays on the HTML Report check the box and click the SAVE button.

Available Colors for Overlay Highlight Color I - use this drop down to select a color to be used with Cutoff 1.

Available Colors for Overlay Highlight Color II - use this drop down to select a color to be used with Cutoff 2.

Cutoffs for Overlay Highlighting –

Cutoff 1 – Color I is applied on the HTML Report for any horse whose ML Odds Line Ratio is at or above the cutoff specified.

Cutoff 2 – Color II is applied on the HTML Report for any horse whose ML Odds Line Ratio is at or above the cutoff specified.

Notes about Overlay Highlighting –

In JRating enabled versions of JCapper, the following horses qualify for overlay highlighting:

1. Horses selected by positive expectation UDMs.

2. JRating rank=1 or 2.

3. CPace rank=1.

In JRating disabled versions of JCapper (new customers March, 2007 and later) the following horses qualify for overlay highlighting:

4. Horses selected by positive expectation UDMs.

5. JPR rank=1 or 2.

6. CPace rank=1.

Data Window Bankroll Settings

Starting Bank

Pct of Bank

Max Bet

The Data Window is programmed to apply the above user settings to all Data Window queries. Each horse pulled up during a query results in the Data Window making and keeping track of mythical bets made in accordance with these user defined bankroll parameters. Bankroll results are displayed at the bottom of all Data Window queries. This is a great way to see what would have happened to a bankroll had you been able to play this way. Advanced users find this feature especially useful when evaluating the strength of positive expectation UDMs.

PaceLine Selection Rules- The user has the ability to define a set of rules that the program will use for selecting pace lines. The system default is to identify and select the best speed figure in the most recent 5 races and 120 days regardless of surface or distance. The user may override the system default by creating his or her own set of rules and clicking the SAVE button.

Enforce PaceLine Logical Distance- Checking this box will cause the program to make a comparison between today's distance and the distance of races taken from a horse's past performance record. When this box is checked the only races considered during PaceLine selection are those that were run at a distance similar to today's race.

Enforce PaceLine Logical Surface- Checking this box will cause the program to make a comparison between today's listed racing surface and the racing surfaces of races taken from a horse's past performance record. When this box is checked the only races considered during PaceLine selection are those that were run on the same surface as today's race.

Races Back - The system default, as mentioned above, is to select the best PaceLine in the past 120 days using the 5 most recent starts in a horse's past performance record. The system default for number of races to go back can be overridden by simply making a selection from this drop down followed by clicking the SAVE button.

Days - The system default, as mentioned above, is to select the best PaceLine in the past 120 days using the 5 most recent starts in a horse's past performance record. The system default for number of days to go back can be overridden by simply making a selection from this drop down followed by clicking the SAVE button.

Note- In all cases, after making selections/changes with the System Settings/System Definitions screen, changes become effective only after clicking the SAVE button.

Live Play Module Settings-

Live Play Enabled – When this box is checked, during a Calc Races routine info about each horse is written to the LivePlay table for use by the Live Play Module. When this box is unchecked this operation is skipped during a Calc Races routine. This operation adds a little time to each Calc Races routine. If you are not using the Live Play Module you can speed up your Calc Races routines a little bit by un-checking this box. Of course you will have to remember to check this box in order to get your Calc Races routines to write info needed by the Live Play Module should you wish to use it.

Live Play Only – When this box is checked the only file written to during a Calc Races routine is the LivePlay table for used by the Live Play Module. If you are using the Live Play Module exclusively without looking at the Text, CSV, or HTML Report(s) then checking this box will speed up your Calc Races routines. Of course you will need to check this box in the event that you want to start using the other reports again.

Available Colors and Cutoffs –

Color I corresponds to MLOR3 and OR3 Cutoff1 overlay highlighting on the Live Play Module. Whenever either MLOR3 or OR3 are at or above the user selection for Cutoff I, the user selection for Color I is applied to the individual horse.

Color II corresponds to MLOR3 and OR3 Cutoff1I overlay highlighting on the Live Play Module. Whenever either MLOR3 or OR3 are at or above the user selection for Cutoff II, the user selection for Color II is applied to the individual horse.

UPR GroupName – This user setting is where you define the GroupName that drives the UPR that will be sent to your daily reports during Calc Races routines and to your PlayList files during database builds. The default setting shipped with the program is DEFAULT. As you make ImpactValue table entries towards creating your own UPR (User Defined Power Rating) each new UPR GroupName that you create becomes available to this drop down on the System Definitions screen. Use this drop down to select the UPR GroupName you want JCapper to use to drive your UPR.

-end section on System Settings/System Definitions-

Windows Control Panel Regional and Language Options

Notice to international (outside the US) customers:

All of the evaluate days between races and works algorithms in JCapper are based on the dates themselves being in the format rendered by Windows when the Regional and Language Options settings is English (United States).

Some of the other date formats have the ability to switch the positions of the month and day. For example, the United States date format would render today's date as 10/09/2007. Other date formats can change that to 09,10,2007.

If that describes the settings on your machine then in the above example JCapper is picking up the wrong month (09) instead of 10 when evaluating time between workout and race dates. This will adversely impact the program’s ability to make decisions about form and trainer intent.

To get JCapper to properly evaluate workout and race dates:

From the Windows START button select Settings/Control Panel
In the Control Panel click Regional and Language Options
From the Language Options drop down select English (United States).
Click the Apply button

-end section on Windows Control Panel Regional and Language Options-

Troubleshooting JCapper Installs

There is a separate Help Doc titled Troubleshooting JCapper Installs devoted to this subject. In almost all cases, error messages related to the install process result when required Windows components are missing from your machine. The Troubleshooting JCapper Installs Help Doc explains operation of the JCapper Diagnostics Tool in detail along with how to use regsvr32 to register OCX and DLLs. If, however, after reading the Help Doc and running the Diagnostics Tool, you still need help with your install – please contact me by email. - Jeff