Managing Your Race Data Files

If you use DRF Formulator 4.1 files, skip this page and see Using Daily Racing Form Formulator 4.1 Data Files

General Info:

We have found that a surprising number of our customers are downloading files from a racing data supplier onto their hard drives with no clue where the files are going or how they may be cluttering up their drives.  The following information may vary between data suppliers (and they should be asked for specific advice), but we hope this may be helpful.

No matter which on-line racing data supplier(s) you use, past performance files are large and accumulate over time.  They also partially duplicate themselves, because you end up with two versions of the same file, one compressed and one expanded (or "unzipped") for use.

Every data supplier has its own proprietary program that processes the files so that you can view them, and these programs generally unzip (or otherwise expand) their data files in the same directory ("folder") where the program resides.

Note that Speed Handicapper™ v5.0 is designed to navigate to where ever your data files are normally kept for your main data viewing program.  You do not "download files to" Speed Handicapper™.  You simply download them as always for your DRF, PTD, TM+, TMPP, BRIS, or TSN viewing program, then use the Speed Handicapper™ "file open" window to navigate to where ever they normally reside.  This way, you are free to use a variety of file types located in different directories for different data suppliers. This also allows you to download directly to other media such as a ZIP drive if you choose.

We recommend taking control of where your files go during download from your supplier, and organizing your downloaded race files for easy access by any programs that you may use.

If you intend to keep files for any length of time, we also recommend downloading them directly to, or later moving them to a Zip disk or CD. (Note that CDs are good for storage, but Speed Handicapper™ must be able to write to the same drive where the data resides, so to reuse stored files you would need to move them back onto a writable drive.)

Organizing Your Downloads

1. While you are on-line and select the race files to download, use the Windows "Save to File" window to direct the files to where ever you want them. Do not simply accept the default of "My Documents," or whatever happens to come up, especially your "Desktop" or root drive. [Never download files of any kind directly to your "Root" drive (usually "C:\" is the root drive) unless you know precisely what you are doing and why.]  Always create a folder first, or use one you have previously created for this purpose, then download to that folder.

1a. If you prefer to accept the default file location set up by your data supplier, that's fine--just be sure you know where they are going. For example, DRF data downloads are directed to the default location: C:\Program Files\DRF\Formulator\Data. Then when you "export" the files using Formulator™ they are directed to the default location of C:\Program Files\DRF\Formulator\Export. So, after you view a race card in Formulator™ and export it for use, you navigate with Speed Handicapper™ to the "Export" folder.

2.  For better control, we suggest organizing your race files by supplier, then by month.  For example, create a folder on your hard drive (preferably a partition other than your C drive, such as D or F) called "DRF," "PTD," "TM," "BRIS," or "TSN".  Then, open that folder and create another folder inside named for the month and year, for example, "JUN06" or "Sept07."

3.  After these folders are set up, when you download your files use the "Save to File" window to select the correct folder to direct your download.

4.  When using the Speed Handicapper™ program,  the first step is to use the "Select Race Card" window to navigate to the correct folder.  After you have done that the first time, the program will automatically look in that folder during the rest of your handicapping session.