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NeedForSpeed,
Calibration Handicapping is a great book. However, it will not teach you anything about Total Energy. For that purpose, and more in-depth analysis of horse races, the only book I would recommend is: Modern Pace Handicapping, by Tom Brohamer.
This book is sub-titled "Advanced treatment of Pace Analysis". It is to be considered as a reference book, meaning that you have to read it over, and over, and over. It is not an easy read. But once you understand it, you'll be on your way.
As far as the older programs that you mentioned, I did not start with them, and I don't think either one of them would benefit you more than RDSS.
Handicapping a horse race is a puzzle that you are trying to solve, and RDSS gives you all the pieces. But you have to be able to put them together. There are many of them. You ignore one, and you lose.
As Hoof pointed out to you, form is extremely important in your analysis. I could also add: pace, speed, class and running style. You have to understand them all to solve the puzzzle. As an example, the horse with the best speed figure may not be able to win the race today, simply because the pace is too fast for that horse, or its running style is not favorable for this race.
Another common scenario is when the horses with the best pace figures finish third or fourth because of a pace duel. You have to be able to figure out when a pace duel is likely to happen. Total Energy is a good place to start, and is "the most consistent winner producer", according to "Pace Makes The Race". However, in the book, it is referred to as "Average Pace".
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Paul
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