JB>I get the feeling that you want the number of races that will suffice
JB>to determine the 5 fastest in all cases.

JB>in my first attempt I can do it in 26 races, but I don't think that's
JB>anything special. there is probably away to do this with far fewer
JB>than 26 races.

JB>if acurate relative spacing is also available (by a nose, 
JB>two lengths begind etc)
JB>is available the answer is again 6 races.

6 or 26?

Relative spacing, I think, is the answer.  Using that, the field of 25 
could be easily cut down to 10-15 after just 6 races.  Still, I think 
that 2 more races would be necessary in the close cases.

þ CMPQwk 1.42 999

--- Maximus/2 3.01