The Father Of Computerized Horse Racing
 

It's very strange to me that on this progressive site that is predicated to computerized handicapping, would fail to recognize the the man that started it all. Without his contributions there would probabably be no par numbers, variants, track to track adjustments, speed points and impact values.. I refer to Dr. William Quirin, who has been recognized and applauded by Tom Brohammer and James Quinn. His works have been copied and imitated by many. This man has authored many books on horse racing and additionally, was the only supplier to many in the industry that are still selling par numbers. Dr. Quirin is in fact a PHd.of Mathematics and is the math department head of mathematics at a New York college.
In my mind Quirin is the father of computerized horse racing.

For the amusement and edification of our group I have attached a picture of an early handheld computer, which may have been the first of it's kind, that the Doctor programmed and which was designed by Evan Mandel. I think it might have been the first of it's kind.
I am lucky enough to own one and have the instructions as well.
The top horse will be 1st, 2nd, or 3rd 58% of the time when used properly.

Totally Agree
 

Parts, great post. As far as great innovators and thinkers in this game I would like to add to your list Huey Mahl. Although he is known for his money management writings; his book The Race Is Pace is often overlooked.

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Mike, I have his length variant software that your always welcomed to:
The program was written by George Green who wrote SpeedPlus and Hedgehog.

It's sad to say but most of the good, innovative stuff was copied.
It was just a way for the marketers to make money.
Being most affectionados of The Sport of Kings are looking for the magic bullet, They were a prime target and bought into this and followed the Pied Piper and many are still following.
Lots of concepts with many different names that added up to the same basic numbers.
Keep in mind that numbers will be expressed in many different ways but bottom line is that Energy and Velocity do not give the numbers any different or inherent value. Actually, a lot of match up people are going back to the "raw" numbers.

This is not a game for the followers because the followers are in the majority. The majority and then some will be, at any given race track and on any given day. losers.

This is my opinion and to me the facts and truth dictate.
So I'll apologize in advance if I slighted anyone or bursted anyones proverbial bubble. ;)

Didn't this computer basically just do APV,s?
I used to see a lot of them in the books in Vegas.

Froggy

you can contact Dr. Quirin at Adelphi University at
quirin@adelphi.edu

HedgeHog
 

Parts I have the DOS version of Hedgehog. I think it is a neat little program. I also purchased Speed Plus from George Green some time ago. I also used to subscribe to the Length Variant Newsletter that Huey Mahl came out with.

I had the pleasure to meet Huey Mahl at on of Doc Sartin's seminars when he was introducing THOROMATION for the first time. Huey got a kick out of seeing the animated horses moving across the computer screen. Doc also thought highly of Huey and they had mutual respect for each other.

Hey Parts,
wasn't Quirin the originator of speed points?
Richie

Huey Mahl was a very interesting character.
He used to hang out in a place on East Chareston not far from the Gamblers
Book Club and you could catch him there after the races though he was not always a regular in the race books.
He was free with his time and had patience with those of us that were a little on the slow side.

Froggy

Right on, Ritchie.

He was creator of Speed Points, Impact Values, Pars and Track to Track adjustments.
The man was and still is a Master and PHd. at mathematics.
Your approach with raw figures and the match-up is awesome.
I try and use it in Synergism 4, where the raw times are adjusted by pars and variants. I think overall, the paceline and contender selection is primary.

Sorry to hear of your families difficulties in N.J.

I haven't used the computer in years but from what I can recall, the input included earnings as well as the fractions.