from Horse Player Now

Chicago, IL — Night School, the racing industry’s free national online fan education program, will focus on Saturday’s 138th running of the Preakness Stakes during Tuesday’s 90-minute live chat, which begins at 8:30 p.m. (EDT).

It will include a lively panel discussion about the Friday and Saturday cards at Pimlico, Kentucky Derby winner Orb’s chances of taking down the second jewel of Thoroughbred racing’s elusive Triple Crown and a Q&A with the fans.

Hosted by Horse Player NOW’s Jeremy Plonk, who pens the popular “Countdown to the Crown” column for Daily Racing Form and serves as the researcher for NBC’s Triple Crown broadcasts, and Joe Kristufek, Tuesday’s Night School will also feature insight from Churchill Downs and KentuckyDerby.com racing analyst Jill Byrne.

BRIS will provide complimentary past performances for Friday’s Black Eyed Susan and Pimlico Special, as well as up to the minute Preakness pp’s (race drawn Wednesday).

Horse Player NOW will offer free, interactive race day Pimlico chats, at horseplayernow.com, pimlico.com, preakness.com and xpressbet.com (all times EDT) on Thursday (12:45 p.m.), Friday (Black-Eyed Susan card at 11:30 a.m.) and Saturday (Preakness card at 10:15 a.m.) Free live video is provided by Pimlico through livestream.

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 90-minute classes are 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.

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.

Night School Preakness Weekend introduction video with Joe Kristufek: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OuFHkZoYm3w

This week’s study materials, courtesy of Horse Player NOW: http://horseplayernow.com/images/STUDY051413.pdf