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'Night School' offers horse-racing fans unique experience

If you don't know the difference between a claiming race and an allowance race.

If you are still trying to figure the exact distance of a furlong (a furlong??) or why there are two turns on a horse track but four on an auto track.

Bullet workouts, first-time lasix, speed figures, class drops, blinkers, bug boys, front wraps … and don't even get started with the daily program, which can be as daunting to decipher as advanced algebra.

It's no wonder so many fans are so intimidated when they head out to play the ponies that they end up scrapping all the available tools and opt instead for a favorite color or a catchy name.

“It's just too much,” is a common refrain.

Well, beginning tonight, there are no more excuses.

Class is in session.

An industry that has been notoriously apathetic in the fan-friendly department is finally seeing the light; customers aren't going to be able to fully enjoy horse racing unless they understand what the heck they're doing.

Thanks to a major new initiative, spearheaded by Horse Player NOW partners Jeremy Plonk and Daily Herald racing analyst Joe Kristufek, everything you ever wanted to know about horse racing — from bloodlines to the backstretch — is available at your fingertips.

Welcome to Night School, a weekly web-based teaching seminar which runs for 40 weeks and is sponsored by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, the American Quarter Horse Association, Keeneland and the Daily Racing Form.

Night School classes will include a 60-minute topical discussion, complete with an introduction video and downloadable lesson overview, and a 30-minute open forum where racing fans can ask the panel of experts anything and everything about racing. Each of the lessons will be archived, creating an instant educational library.

The debut session is today at 7:30 p.m., and fans can participate by logging on to either horseplayernow.com., arlingtonpark.com or hawthorneracecourse.com

“Jeremy and I are both extremely passionate about education, and we relish the opportunity to interact with, and teach, horse racing fans at all levels,” said Kristufek. “A successful future for horse racing is predicated upon growing the fan base, and that's what Night School is all about.”

DRF will be the official content provider to Night School for 2011 and will provide fans with study materials, video analysis and past performances and charts.

“Never before has there been more urgency to rebuild demand for thoroughbred racing,” said John Hartig, CEO of DRF. “Fan education is absolutely key to attracting new players and cultivating racing's next generation of fans. We're thrilled to partner with the Night School who shares Daily Racing Form's mission for teaching and inspiring fans by providing the tools to play with confidence.”

The weekly Night School lessons are offered free to any racing fan who wants to learn more about the game and will include both novice and advance-level fan education.

School runs through Dec. 19, with 90-minute sessions taking place from 7:30-9 p.m. Regular panelists will include HPN's Caton Bredarr and Churchill Downs analyst Jill Byrne. Topical experts will appear weekly to share their expertise.

Noted handicappers like Steven Crist and Brad Free are among the many guests who will participate during the year.

“It's all about getting people involved,” said Terry Finley, West Point Thoroughbreds president. “Once you get a taste of racing and experience all it has to offer, the more you want to learn and become a bigger part of it.”