Odds & Ends - One Man's Opinions

Deadlines
- End of Year Report/Breeding -

This has been a increasing problem in the last few years - at least that I've seen. Many stables haven't met deadlines, and deadlines have been pushed back at the expense of the other prompt stables and of course Laurie. We all know that they are coming, Breeder's Cup week and the Hong Kong meeting are a big clue... but like anyone we tend to get lost in the wake of real life troubles.

I myself nearly missed the End of Year Report Deadline. I haven't been able to play the game in a few weeks and lost track of time and the upcoming Off-Season Activities. Only by a off-chance conversation with another member did I remember to send in that Report.

Okay. So a few stables (and some prominent ones at that) missed the Report Deadline. Perhaps some aren't interested in playing the game anymore, had real life commitments, or simply couldn't access a computer in the last few days... But let's make sure that we get our Breeding Deadline met!

Get those pairings and names in to Laurie so that she can generate foals, e-mail us their ARs... and we can get back to racing!

Speaking of Ability Reports...

Ability Reports
- The On-going Debate -

These things have changed drastically since the last time I played Photo Finish. And honestly I have to say that I think they have taken a turn for the worse.

This is how they used to look:
(well I believe that the first ARs had a slightly different style for the surface preference - stating only what was preferred)

Ability Report for horse Justa Test

Justa Test, purple fillyBy Tester's Test out of JustIn Time by No More Folly

This horse will mature quickly and be at peak performance early, ready for the Derby.

This horse will have an average performance peak, at least two racing seasons.

This horse will be near peak potential for the Derby.

This horse prefers hard dirt.

This horse prefers soft dirt.

This horse prefers mud.

This horse is good on hard turf.

This horse is ok on soft turf.

This horse shows average fight if challenged at the wire.

This horse is very hardy and unlikely to fall victim to injuries.

This horse has average ratability.

This horse has average curve handling abilities.

This horse just keeps on going after it has the lead, it doesn't let up.

This horse handles traffic ok.

This horse has consistency problems. Doesn't always meet expectations.

This horse has an average recovery rate between races.

This horse has average weight carrying capacity.

This horse usually comes from far back.

This horse has good acceleration.

This horse has average speed out of the gate.

This horse has average speed.

Handles 5f to 1.25mi, best distance 6f.

Then we made a slight chance for the 2006 Foal Crop (the red was omitted)

Ability Report for horse 0000

Justa Test II (2006), 12.3 hand violet colt

By Twice as Nice out of Justa Test by Tester's Test

This horse will mature quickly and be at peak performance early, ready for the Derby.
This horse will have an average performance peak, at least two racing seasons.
This horse will be near peak potential for the Derby.
This horse prefers hard dirt.
This horse prefers soft dirt.
This horse prefers mud.
This horse is good on hard turf.
This horse is ok on soft turf.
This horse shows average fight if challenged at the wire.
This horse is very hardy and unlikely to fall victim to injuries.
This horse has average ratability.
This horse has average curve handling abilities.
This horse just keeps on going after it has the lead, it doesn't let up.
This horse handles traffic ok.
This horse has consistency problems. Doesn't always meet expectations.
This horse has an average recovery rate between races.
This horse has average weight carrying capacity.
This horse usually comes from far back.
This horse has good acceleration.
This horse has average speed out of the gate.
This horse has average speed.
Handles 5f to 1.25mi, best distance 6f.

We decided that putting the "Best Distance" was hurting too many players who took ARs for the honest truth. But in 2007 we made another change... again to the last line.

Ability Report for horse 0001

Justa Test III(2007), 19.3 hand mauve colt
By Justa Test II out of Oh Yes by Not Another

This horse will mature quickly and be at peak performance early, ready for the Derby.
This horse will have an average performance peak, at least two racing seasons.
This horse will be near peak potential for the Derby.
This horse prefers hard dirt.
This horse prefers soft dirt.
This horse prefers mud.
This horse is good on hard turf.
This horse is ok on soft turf.
This horse shows average fight if challenged at the wire.
This horse is very hardy and unlikely to fall victim to injuries.
This horse has average ratability.
This horse has average curve handling abilities.
This horse just keeps on going after it has the lead, it doesn't let up.
This horse handles traffic ok.
This horse has consistency problems. Doesn't always meet expectations.
This horse has an average recovery rate between races.
This horse has average weight carrying capacity.
This horse usually comes from far back.
This horse has good acceleration.
This horse has average speed out of the gate.
This horse has average speed.
This horse appears to be a sprinter.

So the ARs don't have the furlongs set in stone... okay, still a good AR (in my opinion the best one yet).

But then, for the 2008 foals the ARs are cut drastically...

Ability Report for horse 0002

Justa Test IV (2008), 2.2 hand lilac colt

By Justa Test III out of Are we Done by Thrice Cut

This horse will mature quickly and be at peak performance early, ready for the Derby.
This horse will have an average performance peak, at least two racing seasons.
This horse prefers hard dirt.
This horse prefers soft dirt.
This horse prefers mud.
This horse is good on hard turf.
This horse is ok on soft turf.

This horse is very hardy and unlikely to fall victim to injuries
This horse has average ratability.
This horse appears to be a sprinter.

To me the biggest problem with Ability Reports are not the reports, but how each person interprets them. If the ARs are taken as a training guide, and not words set in stone (how many people can attest to that fact) I believe things would work out better for all. We all know that ARs are not 100% accurate and no one should take them as thus... but cutting them down is not the way to solve the problem.

To me it is like training your horse for a race or even a show. You know how they act in training, you work with them and you can tell if one horse has an aptitude for western or dressage (or sprints vs routes). You have an idea of what their abilities are before they step into the ring (for instance no one would mistake a 4-H prospect for a Nationals show horse)... even if you don't know exactly how that horse will perform on "show/race day" you have an idea at their abilities.

Which is all an AR should be... a glimpse into the training that we can not see with our SIM horses. No one knows who will be the best before they race or compete... But I know the difference between a hobby horse and a show-machine.

What do you think? Leave me a comment if you wish...