‘D. Wayne at 80’ Kicks Off Night School Fall Semester Tuesday

Night School, the racing industry’s national online fan education and player development program since 2011, offers a unique history lesson and celebration “D. Wayne at 80” on Tuesday from 8:30-10 p.m. ET. The multi-media event highlights the life and career of D. Wayne Lukas on the eve of the legendary trainer’s 80^th birthday. Lukas sits down for an extended video interview that looks at his remarkable achievements, opinions of the industry and even his biggest regret. A video preview can be found here: https://youtu.be/O1fVWuRY97M.

The 90-minute Night School will be streamed live online and simulcast on SiriusXM as Night School’s fall semester of player development topics returns for the final 14 weeks of a 40-week 2015 season. In addition to the Lukas interview – which features former jockeys Jerry Bailey and Donna Barton-Brothers, as well as trainer Dallas Stewart, a former DWL protégé – the Night School history on lesson on radio will include a debate of Lukas’ Elite 8 horses of all-time. Lukas has trained a record 14 Triple Crown race winners and 20 Breeders’ Cup titlists.

An expert panel of 28 national racing industry insiders ranked Lukas’ greatest horses, which are unveiled among his Top 100 in the September issue of Horse Player NOW Magazine, a free, digital publication that this month doubles as a “D. Wayne at 80” commemorative issue. To see how the Elite 8 ranked 8 through 1, tune in to Tuesday’s Night School class for the premiere unveiling. Night School co-hosts Jeremy Plonk, Caton Bredar and Steve Byk will announce, educate and discuss the Elite 8 while getting live insights from legendary race caller Dave Johnson and longtime ESPN.com columnist Bill Finley.

“The only way to do D. Wayne Lukas justice is to present his amazing career the way he established it – by covering every base,” said Plonk. “The ‘D. Wayne at 80’ celebration embodies video, radio, live fan chat, and an entire digital magazine for study materials. Night Schoolers will learn about his record-setting career and hardened horseplayers and fans will take a trip down memory lane like no other.”

For those who cannot attend Night School live, all of its elements will be available free and on-demand. Simply go to Horseplayernow.com’s all-new Legends page (www.horseplayernow.com/legends) to find all the links, as well as past Night School appearances by the likes of Andy Beyer and Bob Costas. Radio format lessons are streamed free right into the live chat module during the shows. Lessons also are simulcast on Sirius 220, XM 206 and Online SportsZone 964 (satellite subject to channel availability).

Night School’s 14-week fall semester will include SiriusXM radio simulcasts that span now through December 1. The season finale will mark the program’s 200^th live lesson milestone. Title sponsors of Night School 2015 include Woodbine Entertainment, the American Quarter Horse Association, Keeneland Select, Twinspires/BRIS and Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack and Resort.

2015 Night School Fall Semester topics announced:

 

Links:

Horse Player NOW Night School Page: http://horseplayernow.com/night-school

Night School archives page: http://horseplayernow.com/night-school/ns-archives

*NEW* Night School Legends page: www.horseplayernow.com/legends

Week 26 Study Materials: http://www.issuu.com/horseplayernow (DWL commemorative magazine, available beginning Sept. 1)