by Dan Leary, USTA director of marketing and communications

Columbus, OH — Night School makes its first foray into a new medium this Tuesday at 8:30 p.m. (EDT) as the racing industry’s national online fan education program partners with “At the Races with Steve Byk” on Sirius/XM satellite radio along with the USTA’s website, www.ustrotting.com, for a special dual-presentation.

“Countdown to the Crown” will be the subject matter featured in the 2013 season’s Week 2 lesson plan, and fans can take in the teachings both online and on the radio dial. The Night School instructors will compare and contrast the Triple Crown seasons throughout the breeds, including harness racing, Thoroughbreds and American Quarter Horse.

“A radio broadcast is an exciting new spin for Night School,” said the program’s co-founder, Horse Player NOW’s Joe Kristufek. “With the chat room open, we don’t lose an ounce of interactivity. Concurrent with the live stream, fans will be afforded the opportunity to type their opinions on the subject being discussed, and ask questions directly to Jeremy Plonk, Steve Byk and our stellar line-up of guests.”

“SiriusXM has been committed to the horse racing industry, horseplayers and fans since its inception,” said Byk. “And it’s a pleasure for me to help widen the reach of Night School through ‘At the Races.’ The opportunity for live interaction should further engage Night Schoolers and I think it will add a new dimension of fun to the sessions.”

For students attending Night School, participation is free and fans need not be subscribers to Sirius/XM satellite radio in order to listen to the program. Now in its third full season of 40-week instructional classes online, more than 1,350 students took in opening week of Night School last Tuesday.

The Triple Crown trail talk will be lively on Tuesday as special guests in the live classroom will include Hall of Fame jockey Jerry Bailey, his NBC Sports partner and renowned racing analyst Randy Moss, Kentuckyderby.com’s Jill Byrne of Churchill Downs and Daily Racing Form national correspondent Jay Privman. Follow @Horseplayernow on Twitter for late-breaking announcements as to this week’s special jockey/trainer guests from the 2013 trail.

Night School attendees will be able to pose questions to all of the guests in two manners, either by the live chat module or by joining the “At the Races with Steve Byk” 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. (EDT) 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, immeditely following the session and beyond. The complete audio archive will be available on Wednesday.

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.

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.

This week’s Night School preview video by Joe Kristufek and Jeremy Plonk: http://youtu.be/rCPpmHckgMQ

This week’s study materials, courtesy of Horse Player NOW: http://www.horseplayernow.com/STUDY031213.pdf.