from Horse Player Now

Chicago, IL — Night School, the racing industry’s free national online fan education program, begins its third of five learning “pods” this Tuesday as the syllabus turns to the “Summer Handicapping” season with a Newbie Tuesday presentation focused on the basics of wagering, a topic that will encompass and enlighten fans of Standardbred, Thoroughbred and American Quarter Horse racing.

The 90-minute lesson begins at 8:30 p.m. (EDT) at www.ustrotting.com and will feature live chat and videos teaching the terms and techniques of placing wagers.

Tuesday’s lesson will be co-hosted by Night School co-founders Joe Kristufek and Jeremy Plonk and will feature Prairie Meadows handicapper John Hernandez, a well-known media personality who specializes in both Thoroughbred and AQHA handicapping. Also featured will be some video insight from Horse Player NOW’s Bob Neumeier, Brian W. Spencer and Brian Nadeau, as well as a video demonstration on how to use self-service betting machines.

A complete basics of handicapping Newbie Tuesdays lesson was offered a week ago and remains available in the Night School archives at www.Horseplayernow.com or any one of more than 40 websites that offers the Night School program.

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 United States Trotting Association, National Thoroughbred Racing Association, American Quarter Horse Association, Keeneland and Churchill Downs, Inc.

The 40-week Night School annual term is divided into five, eight-week pods, each offering unique chances to learn more about watching and wagering on horse races. Visit this link for the latest schedule of topics and events.

Participating fans are eligible for prizes and rewards for registering, which 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 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 p.m. (EDT) 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. Free past performances are available, courtesy of BRIS.

The Night School team also will be busy this week with a pair of extra events surrounding the Iowa Festival of Racing.

Later this week, Jeremy Plonk will host a Night School Friday Night Live chat with free, live streaming video of the full card from Prairie Meadows beginning at 7 p.m. (EDT) that will include the Iowa Distaff and Sprint.

In addition, Joe Kristufek and Tim Brannon and the Night School Tour will be on site at Prairie Meadows Saturday for the Iowa Derby/Cornhusker Handicap program.

The Night School Tour also will be at Woodbine on July 7 for Queen’s Plate Day, and recently added Parx on Labor Day to its growing schedule of events. Click here for the updated Night School Tour schedule.

Here are this week’s study materials, a beginner’s guide to wagering, courtesy of Horse Player NOW.

Joe Kristufek previews this week’s lesson on video at this link.