Night School, the racing industry’s national online fan education program, welcomes one of the game’s premier on-air handicappers and analysts, Kurt Hoover, to the program this Tuesday. It marks Hoover’s first appearance in Night School, and the tireless evaluator of replays will discuss “Preparing for a Day at the Races” as this week’s lesson topic. Horseplayers know Hoover as a longtime Santa Anita and Hollywood Park simulcast handicapper, current HRTV analyst and frequent national telecast contributor to programming on networks such as ESPN and Fox Sports Network.

Week 2 of the 40-week Night School season once again will be a 90-minute, multimedia presentation that begins at the standard 8:30 p.m. ET start time. In addition to Hoover’s input, students will learn from Fair Grounds racing analyst Brian W. Spencer about his approach to handicapping preparation. Spencer has provided on-track analysis at meets such as Fair Grounds and Arlington Park in recent years and has been a front-line fan educator and handicapper for Horse Player NOW as well.

Hoover and Spencer will join Horse Player NOW hosts Jeremy Plonk, Caton Bredar and renowned radio personality Steve Byk. The lesson will feature live-streamed audio among the guest panelists and fans can participate by calling into the show or asking questions directly through the live chat interface that accompanies the Night School program each week.

Presenting title sponsors for Night School 2014 are the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, American Quarter Horse Association, Keeneland Select, Twinspires.com, The Stronach Group, Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack and Resort, and Betamerica.com.

Students who wish to attend Night School can do so by logging on to any one of more than 40 websites throughout the racing industry that simulcasts the weekly online tutorials. There is no advance registration or sign-up required. This year’s lessons include live audio streaming of the expert panelists and hosts, making it easier for participants to follow. Fans can participate in a live online chat and pose their questions to the hosts and guests in real time.

Night School also is simulcast with “At the Races with Steve Byk” on SiriusXM. Night School attendees can listen to the free live audio stream directly linked through the Night School chat box (no subscriptions needed). Fan also can take part in the live call-in show at 1-866-454-6848. Those wishing to listen in on the radio can find the program from 8:30-10 p.m. (ET) on Sirius 93, XM 209 or at Sports Zone 961 for Sirius Online users.

For those who cannot attend live, the Night School archives always are available free, immediately following the session and beyond. Simply go into the Night School chat box at any of the 40-plus sites and get access to the archived links once the completed session has been re-opened.

Night School is offered every Tuesday for 40 consecutive weeks through Dec. 2. Fans are eligible for prizes and rewards for registering. Registration is optional and free. There is never a charge for taking part in Night School.

This week’s Night School will be followed at 10:00 p.m. (ET) by the “After Night School Special,” featuring live racing from Mountaineer Park. The segment will cover the evening’s final race in real time with free, live-streaming video. Fans wishing to take part in the Mountaineer action simply need to remain in the Night School chat after class. Complimentary past performances are available, courtesy of BRIS, the official past performance provider to Night School.

Later this week, the “Night School Friday Night Live” real-time racing analysis featuring Remington Park also is offered, beginning at 6:30 p.m. ET and running the entire program.

Night School Links

Horse Player NOW info page: http://horseplayernow.com/night-school

Week 1 Study Materials: http://horseplayernow.com/images/STUDY031114.pdf   

Week 1 BRIS past performances for After Night School Special: http://horseplayernow.com/nightpps

Spring Semester Topics & Program Info: http://tinyurl.com/la7jsnx

Video preview of the 2014 season with Caton Bredar and Jeremy Plonk: http://youtu.be/m5CP4LwmFZY