In Tuesday’s episode of Night School, the racing industry’s national online fan education program, no fewer than 25 jockeys, agents, trainers horse owners and analysts will give personal answers to the question of “Why We Love This Game”. The 35-minute video presentation also features “Teacher’s Choice” historical racing highlights handpicked by Night School educators Jeremy Plonk, Joe Kristufek and Caton Bredar.

The chat portion of Week 31 of the 2013 Night School season will be hosted by Kristufek, and guest panelists include Bellarmine University adjunct professor Janell Oliver and Indiana Downs’ racing analyst Rachel McLaughlin.

As part of Bellarmine’s “Kentucky Derby Hoofprint” course syllabus, Oliver’s  students will be required to attend and participate in Tuesday night’s Night School session. Oliver’s parents both trained racehorses before moving to Kentucky in 1993 to focus on the breeding industry. Their big home run was standing Dynaformer (sire of Barbaro) in the 90s. Oliver herself stays active in the sport through teaching and writing.

McLaughlin,herself a horse lover and the an on-air analyst at the Indiana tracks for five years, will join the chat to preview Saturday’s Indiana Derby.

For use as study materials this week, Horse Player NOW provides the archive to last season’s “Why We Love This Game” chat, which featured hockey legends Denis Savard and Eddie Olczyk, NBC Sports horse racing analyst Bob Neumeier and renowned track announcer Dave Johnson

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.

On Thursday, Oct. 3 at 8:30 p.m., Horse Player NOW’s Jeremy Plonk will host a special Indiana Derby Day Big Event chat.

The Night School Tour of onsite fan education events makes two stops this week. In conjunction with America’s Best Racing, the Tour hits Keeneland for Fall Stars opening weekend. On Friday, fans in Lexington can learn up close and personal with Joe Kristufek, Caton Bredar, Brian Nadeau and Tim Brannan. Katherine Wheeler replaces Kristufek for Saturday’s event, as he hits the road to lead the Indiana Downs team of Brian W. Spencer and Erin Thompson for Indiana Derby Day. The all-day seminars are free and informal throughout the afternoon.

Updated Night School Tour schedule: http://horseplayernow.com/10-night-school/5-night-school-tour.

2012 “Why We Love This Game” chat archive, featuring hockey legends Denis Savard and Eddie Olczyk, NBC Sports horse racing analyst Bob Neumeier and renowned track announcer Dave Johnson http://www.coveritlive.com/index.php?option=com_altcaster&task=siteviewaltcast&altcast_code=9a5df0017b&height=550&width=470

Video preview this week’s lesson: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccrC1InwGTA

Pod 4 Lesson Schedule: http://horseplayernow.com/images/2013NSCALENDAR4.pdf