Quick Start Guide for Demo Users

Demo 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 for Demo Users Class Outline.

JCapper 101 Audio & Video

From installing the program to creating UDMs - Shorten the learning curve: Watch the VIDEOS and listen to the Podcasts.

All of the JCapper Videos are available online 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.

READ the Help Docs

All of the JCapper Help Docs are available online at:

http://www.JCapper.com/HelpDocs/JCapper_HelpIndex.html

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 Demo Users Class Outline

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

1. Get these Basics Out of the Way

1. Install the Program: – Watch the How to Install JCapper Video. Then download and install the Program in the Demo User Learning Curve Section on the JCapper 101 Audio Video page at JCapper.com.

2. Learn how and where to find Help Documents for JCapper: - Watch the Help Documents in JCapper Video in the Demo User Learning Curve Section on the JCapper 101 Audio Video page at JCapper.com.

3. Need a Primer on Folders, Files, and Windows Explorer? – Watch the Windows Explorer 101 Video in the Demo User Learning Curve Section on the JCapper 101 Audio Video page at JCapper.com.

4. Processing Data and Results Files

Processing HDW Files (JCapper Basic, Silver, and Platinum)

Learn how to:

1. 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.

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

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

Resources – Videos and Help Docs

Watch the videos in the Working With HDW Data Section found on the JCapper 101 Audio Video page at JCapper.com

Read the HDW File Manager Help Doc at the Help Docs Page at JCapper.com

Read the section about the Data Vendor Setting in the User System Definitions Screen Help Doc at the Help Docs Page at JCapper.com

Processing Brisnet Files (JCapper Basic, Silver, and Platinum)

Learn how to:

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

2. 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. Downloading and Unzipping Files with the File Downloader

3. Unzipping Files with the File Unzipper

5. Persisting Data Folders (JCapper Basic, Silver, and Platinum)

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. Read the DFM (Data Folder Manager) Help Doc 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.

6. Loading Past Performance Data Files into JCapper (JCapper Basic, Silver, and Platinum)

Learn to:

1. Use the 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. Understand the sole reason for loading past performance data files into JCapper: So that you can use the Past Performance Generator to generate past performances, and so you can run a Calc Races in JCapper Silver or JCapper Platinum to generate JCapper 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. Read the DFM Card Card Loader section in the DFM (Data Folder Manager) Help Doc 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.

7. Generating JCapper Past Performances (JCapper Basic, Silver, and Platinum)

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. 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 settings 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.

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

Learn:

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. The best way to point the Database Builder at a target folder. Hint: Always set the active data folder in the DFM first - before launching the Database Builder. (See section 5 about the DFM above.)

3. About the 5 different Build Modes and the different situations each of them are designed for.

4. How to use the interface in the Database Builder to select a File Type, a Build Mode, and run a build database routine.

Resources – Videos, Help Docs, and Data Files

1. Watch ALL of the VIDEOS in the Building Databases Section on the JCapper 101 Audi Video page at JCapper.com.

2. Read the Building JCapper Databases Help Doc at the Help Docs page at JCapper.com.

2. Work with the Program “hands on.” Download the FREE Weekend of Demo Data and Results Files (Courtesy of HDW) linked to near the top of this Help Doc. Extract the demo files onto a target folder. Set that folder as the current active data folder in the DFM. Or, alternately, use the DFM to point to a folder where you already have a collection of data and results files that match up by track and date. Then launch the Database Builder and run a Build Database routine on that target folder.

9. Data Window Queries (JCapper Silver and JCapper Platinum)

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 for Demo Users 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 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 –