Night School, the racing industry’s national online fan education program, delves into the popular handicapping topic “Horses for Courses” this Tuesday with an interactive live chat and Q&A session with the experts. The term “Horses for Courses” describes a particular affinity a horse has for a given racing surface or track, and handicappers looking for an edge often will try to identify such runners in their analysis.
Week 32 of the 2013 season will be hosted by Night School and Horse Player NOW’s Joe Kristufek, Jeremy Plonk and Caton Bredar. Special guest will be national handicapper Katie Gensler, paddock analyst at Keeneland as well as Presque Isle Downs and Fair Grounds. The topic applies to all breeds of racing and the Night School lesson plan also will give insights to “Horses for Courses” in Harness and American Quarter Horse events.
This week’s lesson wraps up the “Celebration of the Breeds” pod of learning on the Night School syllabus, which breaks the 40-week season into eight, five-week topics of learning. Those students who registered for class in six of eight weeks during the current pod will be eligible for prizes to be announced next week. Also next week the season’s fifth and final pod “Championship Season & The Stars” will kick off, with a final eight-week run of topics to be announced.
Fans can take part in the class free by visiting any one of the 40-plus websites that provides the Night School lessons each week. For those who cannot attend live, the Night School archives always are available free, immediately following the session and beyond. Videos used in all lessons also can be seen at www.youtube.com/horseplayernow.
Presenting title sponsors for Night School are the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, American Quarter Horse Association, Keeneland, Churchill Downs, Inc., and the United States Trotting Association.
Night School is offered every Tuesday for 40 consecutive weeks through Dec. 3. Topics change weekly, and 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. The weekly program is offered in three media: live chat via the Cover It Live blogging/chat forum, audio/radio streaming and full video lesson plans. The media of delivery is based on the subject matter and alternates throughout the season.
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 two races 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.
Updated Night School Tour schedule: http://horseplayernow.com/10-night-school/5-night-school-tour.
Study Materials: http://horseplayernow.com/images/STUDY100813.pdf
Video preview this week’s lesson: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27UwicV-vxQ
Pod 4 Lesson Schedule: http://horseplayernow.com/images/2013NSCALENDAR4.pdf