(Lexington, Kentucky- Tuesday, January 29, 2019) - Registration is now open for three new classes presented by The Elite Program, Inc., home of Groom Elite education programs. This is the first winter in 12 years that C. Reid McLellan, PhD is available to offer his Trainers' Exam Prep Class at two new venues, plus a first time offering in Lexington, Kentucky of Philosophy & Methods of Training Racehorses from March 21-24. Trainers' Exam Prep class will be offered at Sam Houston Race Park February 23-26 and in Ocala, Florida from March 9-12. Those interested are encouraged to sign up early at www.purplepowerracing.com or www.groomelite.com. Early sign up ensures participants of a seat in the limited enrollment classes and a tuition savings of $50.

McLellan, "Dr. Mac" to participants, is a well-known and liked national instructor of Groom Elite classes around the country. Dr. Mac has experience as a University professor of Animal and Equine Science classes, licensed racehorse trainer, handicapper and tip sheet writer, and curriculum writer for education programs from the Groom Elite certificate programs, Community College associate of applied science degrees and Bachelor of Science degrees. Dr. Mac founded an award-winning equine program at Louisiana Tech University in which senior students that successfully completed three years of a comprehensive four-year curriculum took the Trainers' Exam of the Louisiana Racing Commission and spent their senior year as licensed Louisiana racehorse trainers, in addition to their senior year of study.

Trainers' Exam Prep class is a concentrated discussion of the rules of racing including information trainer applicants must know to pass a trainer's licensing exam. Day one is devoted to horse care and management plus other information included in the barn test portion of the National Trainers' Exam. Days two and three focus on administrative rules that govern horse racing, including Trainer Responsibility, Duties of Racing Officials, Responsibilities of Licensees, Jockeys & Jockey Agents, Medication, Claiming, Racetrack Protocol, Entering with Correct Weight and more.

You don't have to be planning on taking the Trainers' Licensing Exam to take this class. In addition to prospective trainers, owners, jockeys and handicappers have participated to learn more about the rules of racing. Class size is limited to 12 to facilitate opportunity for questions and maximum participation. Tuition is $349, with a $299 early bird tuition if paid by February 8 for Sam Houston Race Park and February 11 for Ocala.

Over 300 have successfully completed a Trainers' Exam Prep class since McLellan taught the first one at Sam Houston Race Park in 1998. That class was the catalyst that launched what was to become Groom Elite 101, flagship class of the Groom Elite certification programs. The tight three-day format for the Trainers' Exam Prep limited opportunities for discussion regarding training techniques. Philosophy & Methods of Training Racehorses is now scheduled in response to requests from Trainers' Exam Prep class participants. Enrollment will be limited to 20 participants. Tuition is $449, with an Early Bird tuition of $399 if paid by February 23rd. Trainers' Exam prep class graduates receive an additional $50 off tuition.

For more information and to register, go to www.purplepowerracing.com. Anyone without internet access may call Dr. "Mac" at (859) 321-4377 and sign up over the phone.

The Elite Program, Inc. is a 501(C)(3) non-profit that provides equine education classes through its Groom Elite™ curriculum. With its initial primary mission (in 2001) to provide education to grooms and hotwalkers or Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse Racehorses, Groom Elite continually adapts and updates it's programming that now includes courses for grooms and owners of OTTB show horses and welcomes owners and grooms of any breed. A notable program is Second Chances Groom Elite, taught in five adult correctional facilities in partnership with the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation and its local affiliates/participants learn life lessons while developing an employable skill working with retired racehorses.