Horse Handicapping: Howard Sartin (Discipline – Velocity)
Dr. Howard Sartin is known as the father of pace handicapping. As developer of the Sartin methodology, his approach to the game was to break a race into segments. First fraction, second call and final fraction were the segments and feet per second was the unit of measurement. This also became known as “incremental velocity” handicapping in horse racing.
Before Dr. Sartin came along, the most common approach was speed handicapping. Howard changed all that. His followers developed their own nomenclature, truly speaking a language of their own when it came to horse handicapping.
For several years, from the mid 1980s to mid 1990s, Sartin Methodologists dominated horse handicapping. Eventually, as news of the Methodology’s success spread, more people took an interest in velocity-based handicapping. By the start of the new millennium, pace handicapping was so widely used that whatever edge had been gained was lost. Horses that routinely used to pay 7/1 or 8/1 now paying 3/1 or less.
Howard Sartin claimed to be a psychologist. In later years he was accused of having purchased his PhD through a diploma mill. This was never proven, but tainted his career nonetheless.
Howard was a personal friend and I give him full credit for having turned me into a winning player. It was through his Methodology that I first became profitable in horse handicapping. He was an innovative thinker, a showman, and above all, an astute handicapper.
He died in January of 2009.
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hi there i live in australia an our horse racing over here is on turf do you know of any good books or dvds exsplaing how to handicap on the turf as turf racing is difrent from dirt i have a an old book from james quinn an old dvs from dick mitchell but does not quite nail it can you recomend any good books or dvds that show you how to use times an sectional times on the turf or would mr howard sartin know please help yours joseph filippello
Personally, I have never handicapped Aus racing but I assume that there are great similarities to horse handicapping everywhere. If you have “sectional” times, or as we call them “fractional times” or just “fractions,” then I would suggest Tom Brohamer’s book, Modern Pace Handicapping. That is really the nuts and bolts of the Sartin Methodology.
Hi Joe,
Just a follow up to Dave’s comment: Howard Sartin’s methodology evolved significantly since the early 90′s and what is described in Modern Pace Handicapping. Notably, the concepts of Early versus Late energy distribution and deceleration, together with a multi-horse and value-oriented wagering strategy (and more, actually) is what has evolved into what we call the ‘Modern Sartin Methodology’, certainly a significant evolution from what might be called ‘classical Sartinian pace’. If interested, you can find out all you need to know here: http://www.SartinMethodology.com
That said, I would highly recommend that you get and study Dave’s NewPace product – an original and audacious new treatment of one of the core issues of a horse race: who can be Early, who can be Late, what will be the mix, and how to bet them all.
All the best down under!
Ted
Ted Craven: “Just a follow up to Dave’s comment: Howard Sartin’s methodology evolved significantly since the early 90′s and what is described in Modern Pace Handicapping. Notably, the concepts of Early versus Late energy distribution and deceleration, together with a multi-horse and value-oriented wagering strategy (and more, actually) is what has evolved into what we call the ‘Modern Sartin Methodology’, certainly a significant evolution from what might be called ‘classical Sartinian pace’.”
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I may have been to fast to criticize some of the new methods that are being developed and should have been more tolerant to the efforts set forth.
Ted, you make some good points here and Dave’s New Pace seems to correspond with my way of thinking. Early vs. Late. Although the principles of energy distribution has been around for a number of years it is possible that one may have and might come up with a new way to present an older concept that coincides with the way racing is today.
The principles of FX and Jim Bradshaw’s match-Up, in conjunction with the actual Energy numbers of the 1st and 3rd fractions as well as the deceleration numbers will give most of those who can interpret these numbers properly, a good indication on how many but not all races will transpire,
As I have said in other places, NewPace does not use any form of velocity ratings. Neither does it use “energy distribution” in any way beyond designating horses as “early” or “late.” Neither does it use any paceline selection process.
I appreciate your sentiments regarding your previous criticism. Your post shows that you are still assuming that NewPace is based upon the old methodologies. It is simply very different.
Dave Schwartz: “As I have said in other places, NewPace does not use any form of velocity ratings. Neither does it use “energy distribution” in any way beyond designating horses as “early” or “late.” Neither does it use any paceline selection process.
I appreciate your sentiments regarding your previous criticism. Your post shows that you are still assuming that NewPace is based upon the old methodologies. It is simply very different”.
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Dave, I really don’t have any idea of what your New Pace is about or how you derive your selections. The fact that you say there are no pace lines involved intrigues me.
I’m always interested in a new product or tool that will improve my handicapping.
Possibly you might want to elaborate so that some of us slower people might have a better understanding of your product. Screen shots and graphics would always be helpful. You know what they say, a picture is worth a 1000 words. If you are already doing this, please direct me to where I can see and understand more of how your product works and what it is capable of.
The next step in elaboration is to take the seminar.
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