Sirs (Madams),
  I am seeking to replace past performance data on the horses
competing in the
Triple Crown Races since the 1950s.  I lost in a fire almost fifty
years of back issues of the Daily Racing Form (DRF) which contained
this data.  I understand that you archive the DRF on microfilm.  If
so, what is the best way for me to get copies of the past performance
of the horses competing in the Triple Crown races since the 1950s?  Is
there a way to do so online?  How far back does
your collection go for the Triple Crown races? How expensive will this
be?  Are you aware of any alternative ways/sources of reconstructing
this information, such as by compiling the data from archives of the
DRF Charts?

Sincerely,

Dr. Herbert L. Calhoun
Calhoun & Associates

You can buy Past Performance (PP) information at 
"Americas Leading Race Authority"
http://www.drf.com

On that site they have an area you can goto called "Buy PPs & More".
Then you have a number of options; ranging in price from a $5 trial
plan to $799.95 Unlimited Annual Plan.
Here is a detailed breakdown of what they offer:
Trial Plan: $5 - 5 Racecards, and access to News and Charts for 1
week.
Daily Plan: $3 - 3 Racecards.
Monthly Plan:
  - 10 racecards $18.95
  - 20 racecards $29.95
  - 30 racecards $59.95
  - Unlimited $99.95 + Access to news and charts.
Quartly Plan:
  - 60 racecards $79.95
  - 180 racecards $149.95
  - Unlimited $249.95 + Access to news and charts.
Annual Plan:
  - 240 racecards $299.95
  - 720 racecards $549.95
  - Unlimited $799.95 + Access to news and charts


They also have some software available called Formulator, which you
can download from their website.
"Formulator 3.0 Handicapping software"
http://www.drf.com/formulator/formulator_ad.html

The formulator software is free, but I think you need to buy PPs to
really make use of it. It allows you to view the PP in many different
formats, and has a lot of features that you would not get if you just
had print. From the link above:
"With Formulator's flexibility, you have the power to take past
performances and format them to your personal style, actually
manipulating the page to highlight the angles you like best"

Hope this helps, Please let me know if you want anything else.
--jld

---

Request for Answer Clarification by herbcal-ga on 17 Jun 2002 15:28 PDT

Dear Jeanluis,

   Thanks for your speedy response.  I am sorry that I didnot indicate
in my question that I had contaced both the major race tracks and the
Daily Racing Form offices and its subsidiaries.  They all seem to have
the same problems:  They only archive the DRF for short periods of
time, a year at most.  That is my main problem, trying to find a
person or organization that archives them for long periods of time.  I
have fired off an e-mail to Keeneland and Voila-ga has indicated a
willingness to help.  If you have any further suggestions, they too
will be greatly appreciated.


Many thanks again.

Dr. Herb Calhoun

---

Request for Answer Clarification by herbcal-ga on 17 Jun 2002 15:32 PDT

Jeanluis,

    Also you failed to infrom me as to whether or not the NY PL system
has this data in its files--either as hard copies of the DRF, or on
microfiche.  Since I was steered to you as a "live" possibility, Would
you kindly inform me as to whether or not the NY public Library system
has such information?

Again many thanks in advance.

Dr. Herb Calhoun

---

Clarification of Answer by jeanluis-ga on 17 Jun 2002 18:00 PDT

Sorry about that, it appears that the NYPL does in fact have some of
the Daily Racing Forum. Here is a link that shows all of the daily
racing form that is cataloged online:
http://catnyp.nypl.org/search/tDaily+racing+form+monthly+chart+service/tdaily+racing+form+monthly+chart+service/-5,-1,0,B/browse

Here a link that you can find from the above link that points to the
DRF microform for 1979-1992:
http://catnyp.nypl.org/search/tDaily+racing+form+monthly+chart+service/tdaily+racing+form+monthly+chart+service/-5,-1,0,B/frameset&FF=tdaily+racing+form&2,,6

There are a number of other DRF microforms available including the
monthly chart service:
http://catnyp.nypl.org/search/tDaily+racing+form./tdaily+racing+form/-5,-1,0,B/frameset&FF=tdaily+racing+form&4,,6

It appears as though the NYPL is a good source for this information,
note: not all of the years in question were cataloged online, that
does not however mean that they are not available at the NYPL, as is
indicated by this page:
http://catnyp.nypl.org/screens/catinfo2.html

To find this information I went to nypl.org, and searched their
catalog for Daily racing forum.

I hope this helps, thanks for being patient, and if you need any thing
else please let me know.
Thanks again,
   --jld

Also you might find the Keeneland Library a useful resource:

"In April 2000, the Daily Racing Form, the only national daily
newspaper devoted exclusively to the Thoroughbred industry, donated
its complete archive of newspapers and other Form publications. Dating
back to 1896, this collection documents the history of the
Thoroughbred industry during the 20th century."
http://www.keeneland.com/visitor/library.asp

THX1138

Hi there,

My dad may have these in the attic if mom didn't surreptitiously sneak
them out to the garbage.  I have a call in.  I'll post any details I
have within a couple days.

Regards,
V

Hi Dr. C,

While I'm waiting for a callback, I've been doing a little research on
this.  Have you tried the people at Thoroughbred Times yet?  Here's a
link:
http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/triplecrown/contenders/viewcontender.asp?ContenderID=1126

Also, here's a book but it might be more puff than stuff:
http://ecs.drf.com/acb/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Product_ID=142&CATID=18&objectgroup_ID=461

Here's also another possible:  http://www.horseworlddata.com

I do know dad's collection only goes back to the 1970s but he's not
well and mom's been getting rid of his horseracing data stash.  He was
quite the collector like you. ;-)  I'll keep you posted.

Regards,
V

Hi Dr. C,

Bad news.  They emptied out the attic about a year ago.  He only has
his hardcover books on racing and his random "figurings."  So sorry to
get your hopes up.  Fingers crossed that you can get something from
that Keeneland lead.  It looks promising.

Good luck!
V