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[equusvates]

Originally Posted by JJMartin

So this data is not in .csv format?

No.

The data is contained in multiple XML, extended markup language, files. XML is just a way of formatting data for machine interpretation. Below is a partial snapshot from one of the races. Many text editors can read and structure the data on a screen for human readability. For quick scanning and verifying my machine reading of the file, I use Notepad++ which is a free text editor. As shown in the snapshot, each attribute, node, is enclosed by a beginning and ending tag.


<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" standalone="yes"?>
<EntryRaceCard xsi:noNamespaceSchemaLocation="http://ifd.equibase.com/schema/simulcast.xsd" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
<Race>
<RaceNumber>1</RaceNumber>
<DayEvening>D</DayEvening>
<BreedType>
<Value>TB</Value>
<Description/>
</BreedType>
<Course>
<CourseType>
<Value>D</Value>
<Description>Dirt</Description>
</CourseType>
<Surface>
<Value>D</Value>
<Description/>
</Surface>
</Course>
<Distance>
<DistanceId>600</DistanceId>
<DistanceUnit>
<Value>F</Value>
<Description/>
</DistanceUnit>
<AboutDistanceIndicator> </AboutDistanceIndicator>
<PublishedValue>6F</PublishedValue>
</Distance>
<RaceType>
<RaceType>MCL</RaceType>
<Description>MAIDEN CLAIMING</Description>
</RaceType>

[JJMartin]

I see, a comma delimited format would have caught my interest. Too bad. Thanks for the description.

[Saratoga]

I have a dumb question .....

Where would you get files to handicap future races?

[MJC922]

Originally Posted by Saratoga

I have a dumb question .....

Where would you get files to handicap future races?

With Ellis starting the thread I was assuming these are Trackmaster files but I could be wrong, he can clarify.

[Saratoga]

Originally Posted by MJC922

With Ellis starting the thread I was assuming these are Trackmaster files but I could be wrong, he can clarify.

Thxs...

IF anybody has some clear outputs of what they are working on....

Please show it ..if you don't mind....

just curious...

[equusvates]

Originally Posted by Saratoga

Thxs...

IF anybody has some clear outputs of what they are working on....

Please show it ..if you don't mind....

just curious...

Equibase sells Trackmaster files and they are in XML format. Even though the data is the same, the tags are different. I have some samples of Trackmaster files but have I not looked for details and custom ratings they may contain, e.g. pace, speed and pars. I may be wrong, but I think Equibase is the source for data providers.

[classhandicapper]

Originally Posted by Saratoga

I have a dumb question .....

Where would you get files to handicap future races?

DRF Formulator has files you can download pre race.

[Saratoga]

Originally Posted by classhandicapper

DRF Formulator has files you can download pre race.

and can you apply what you got out of the mass data to handicap the races?

[headhawg]

I looked at the data -- briefly. I had thoughts about converting it to csv files, but I hate parsing. Does it contain more info than a year's worth of Bris or .jcp files? I am assuming not, but perhaps someone who has looked at it closely can comment about the contents.

[denniswilliams]

Originally Posted by headhawg

I looked at the data -- briefly. I had thoughts about converting it to csv files, but I hate parsing. Does it contain more info than a year's worth of Bris or .jcp files? I am assuming not, but perhaps someone who has looked at it closely can comment about the contents.

Though I haven't attempted it, this seems like a trivial conversion in Python:

read_xml to a dataframe

to_csv to a csv file


Am I missing something?

[headhawg]

Python is on my learn-to-do list but I more invested in C# and Godot at the moment. Coding is just a hobby, not a profession.

[classhandicapper]

Originally Posted by classhandicapper

DRF Formulator has files you can download pre race.

I import the data into an Access database (along with chart information). You can do whatever you want with it from there. I mostly use it to build metrics I use for my handicapping and to test them and other handicapping factors.

A lot of what's in the handicapping literature is opinion or the result of trial and error learning that can be flawed. So it's nice to be able to test things and see what actually works.

[ubercapper]

Originally Posted by MJC922

With Ellis starting the thread I was assuming these are Trackmaster files but I could be wrong, he can clarify.

Correct.


Data files for upcoming races are available in multiple formats on the TrackMaster web site.



https://www.trackmaster.com/products...t_performances

[Saratoga]

Originally Posted by classhandicapper

I import the data into an Access database (along with chart information). You can do whatever you want with it from there. I mostly use it to build metrics I use for my handicapping and to test them and other handicapping factors.

A lot of what's in the handicapping literature is opinion or the result of trial and error learning that can be flawed. So it's nice to be able to test things and see what actually works.

You practically have to build something from the ground up....

From what I see , all you get is a Class and E Figures to work with

[wiretowire68]

Parsed this data into my Notepad...it all comes up in Chinese like writing? is this correct? @ndly. Again, not a software guy but my Notepad stops working like it cannot handle that amount of parsing. Is this a memory issue? I have tried to repair as I run Windows 11. Also, will this data fit automatically into a spreadsheet or do I need to code in the original XMl or whatever into my system.

Treat me like a I am beginner at this as would like to be able to run this and use it as a building block.