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US005513103A [11] Patent Number: 5,513,103 [45] Date of Patent: Apr. 30, 1996
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Primary Examiner—Jack B. Harvey
Assistant Examiner—Xuong Chung-Trans
Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Wood, Herron & Evans
[57] ABSTRACT
A method of acquiring and disseminating handicapping information includes the steps of surveying racetracks to measure the distances between four split positions around the racetracks, and recording these distances. During thoroughbred races, all of the horses are recorded on videotape as they pass the successive split positions. The videotape includes time coded information which enables a determination of the elapsed time for each horse for each of the four recorded distances around the track. With the elapsed times and distances known, the average speeds for each of four segments around the racetracks are calculated, for all of the horses jrunning at all of the racetracks. The average speeds are accumulated into a database, with one database for each horse. Subsequently, the databases for horses competing in upcoming races are made available to race fans to facilitate comparison of running capability on a consistent and accurate basis.
13 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets
