Night School, the racing industry’s national online fan education program, kicks off its fourth season of player development Tuesday, March 4, with its first of 40 consecutive lessons. The 90-minute, multimedia presentation will serve as an introduction to the 2014 Night School season while also featuring “The Role of the Horseplayer,” and the importance of the game’s customer base.
Night School, created and hosted by Horse Player NOW, begins weekly at 8:30 p.m. (ET) and features a new topic each session. Among the guest instructors opening night will be Matt Bernier, the 23-year-old “young gun” co-star of the new Esquire TV series “Horseplayers” along with fellow “Horseplayers” co-star Peter Rotondo, who doubles as Breeders’ Cup vice president of entertainment and media. Bernier and Rotondo will join Horse Player NOW hosts Jeremy Plonk, Caton Bredar and renowned radio personality Steve Byk. “The Dean” Jerry Shottenkirk returns for his fourth season as Night School’s moderator.
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 will 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 makes its seasonal return. The weekly Friday presentation offers expert horseplayers providing live racing analysis and free streaming video each week from the Oklahoma City track. Join Plonk, Shottenkirk and RP voice Dale Day from the booth, beginning at 6:30 p.m. (ET).
Night School Links
Video preview of the 2014 season with Caton Bredar and Jeremy Plonk: http://youtu.be/m5CP4LwmFZY
Horse Player NOW info page: http://horseplayernow.com/night-school
Week 1 Study Materials: http://horseplayernow.com/images/STUDY030414.pdf
Week 1 BRIS past performances for After Night School Special: http://horseplayernow.com/nightpps
Spring Semester Topics & Program Info: http://tinyurl.com/la7jsnx