Hot 2 Trot

Before the sun rises on each track, there’s already someone in the barn. For caretakers and grooms, the day begins long before the first horse hits the track for training. There are stalls to muck, water buckets to fill, and horses to care for. In this episode, Ashley sits down with Todd Harper, a groom at Parx Racing, to talk about what it’s like being a caretaker in the industry.  As the Pennsyl...

In this special Hot 2 Trot episode, Ashley is joined by Parx Racing announcer Jessica Paquette and Breeders’ Cup Commentator Dick Jerardi to preview the seven Breeders' Cup turf races at Keeneland. Hear their thoughts on each day’s race cards, including wagering picks for Friday's All-Turf Pick 3 and Saturday's Pick 4 (Races 9–12). 

For harness racing fans, it all comes down to the Breeders Crown. For the first time in its history, Eldorado Scioto Downs in Columbus, Ohio, is hosting the full Breeders Crown weekend. Ten Grade 1 finals, two nights, and $6.4 million in purses. Ashley Wood and guest co-host Kevin Plowcha are here with their thoughts and predictions so you know what to expect.  Timestamps: 00:00 — Introduction to...

Since starting in June, Nathan Klein has made waves as the youngest full-time thoroughbred track announcer. By sharing his passion for the sport and being open about his life with autism, Nathan has amassed quite a following on social media. Host Ashley Wood sat down with him to talk about his journey, from connecting with horse racing at an early age despite not having a home track to getting sta...

Right before the biggest weekend in Pennsylvania horse racing, Ashley Wood sat trackside at Parx Racing with guest co-host Jessica Paquette for a live episode of Hot 2 Trot! They were joined by special guest Matt Scull, Founder and President of First Rodeo Racing. Catch up on Ashley, Jess, and Matt’s discussion on PA-bred stakes, cross-track wagers, and their picks for all the big races. Plus, see...

Sun Stakes Saturday brought the heat this year! Host Ashley Wood sat trackside at Mohegan Pennsylvania with guest co-host Derick Giwner, Editor of DRF Harness for Daily Racing Form, to talk about handicapping, wagering, and the day’s big races, including the Earl Beal Jr. Memorial and the Delmonica Hanover. Throughout the show, Ashley and Derick interviewed Dr. Ian Moore, a legendary standardbred...

There’s a real need in our industry to invest in youth education and showcase all of the job opportunities horse racing can provide — and Don Johnson wants to do something about it. Ashley Wood and guest co-host Jessica Paquette sit down with Don, the previous manager of Philadelphia Park (now Parx Casino & Racing), to discuss PTHA Charities and its mission to expose middle schoolers to the do...

It’s the Pace for the Orchids, and who will come out on top? In this special live episode of Hot 2 Trot, host Ashley Wood sat trackside with Kevin Plowcha, the track handicapper for The Meadows, to talk about all things Adios. They are joined by special guests including Mike Carter, the Director of Racing at The Meadows, and Ron Burke, a Hall of Fame horse trainer. Plus, previous co-host Meadow Tw...

Join Ashley Wood and Jessica Paquette as they discuss the latest in horse racing, including Pennsylvania's Day of the Races, harness racing, and the impact of stallions like Smarty Jones. Catch their insights, personal stories, and tips for racing enthusiasts and newcomers alike. Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro & Welcome with Jessica Paquette 02:03 – Summer Heat, Horse Racing & Life on the R...

What’s it like when your job involves flying around a dirt track at 30 mph? Guest co-host Jessica Paquette joins Ashley as they sit down with harness racing driver Jeremy Indof to find out! Jeremy races at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows in Washington, PA, and has achieved some great milestones throughout his career, including driving Keg Stand to an awesome Open Handicap Trot win down at Oak Grov...

Find out why Pennsylvania is one of the absolute top racehorse breeding hubs in the entire country on this episode of Hot 2 Trot. Host Ashley Wood sits down with Dr. Deanna Manfredi, a third-generation horsewoman, a Princeton PhD in Cognitive Psychology, a stakes-winning breeder, and the history-making, first-ever female President of the Pennsylvania Horse Breeders Association (PHBA). They cover e...

Join us for a Hot 2 Trot episode recorded LIVE trackside at Penn National Race Course! Host Ashley Wood and guest co-host Jessica Paquette discussed this year’s Penn Mile race and the PA-bred stakes races that were held on Friday, May 29. Plus, hear from guests inlcuding Chris McErlean, the Vice President of Racing at Penn Entertainment; Larry Collmus, the voice of the Kentucky Derby; and Nathan K...

Join us for a thoroughbred/harness racing crossover episode with driver Ridge Warren and jockey Jorge Vargas, Jr. Despite being athletes in the same industry, Ridge and Warren have vastly different experiences when it’s time to race. Ashley talks with them about the demands of the sport, how drivers and jockeys differ, and how they got started in the horse racing industry. Find out who has the har...

Grab your fancy hats and mint juleps because horse racing’s biggest event is here: the Kentucky Derby! Ashley sits down with Jessica Paquette and Dick Jerardi, two big names in the Parx Racing circuit, to take an in-depth look at the Kentucky Derby field. Hear this trio break down their thoughts on who will take the crown as we get ready to head down the road to the roses!  Gambling is for ages 18...

What will the next generation of horse racing trainers be like? Ashley sat down with John Kirby, a young and respected name on the Parx Racing circuit and a third-generation horse trainer, to find out. Join Ashley and John as they dive into the world of thoroughbred racing and discuss John’s years of experience developing racehorses and navigating the highs and lows of the sport. Timestamps: 00:00...

Where are our horse girls at? In this episode, Ashley sits down with Jessica Paquette to talk about handicapping, finding your people, and learning life lessons from the horses in our lives. In this, the year of the horse, big things are on the horizon — including the Kentucky Derby, the Florida Derby, and PA Derby Day.  Jessica is the track announcer and director of public relations at Parx Racin...

What does it take to run a horse racing track? In this episode, Ashley catches up with one of her former co-workers, Scott Lishia, to find out. Scott recently became the new Director of Racing at Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course in Grantville, Pennsylvania, but has held many roles throughout the thoroughbred and harness horse racing industries. Their conversation covers everything fro...

We’re back! Season 4 of Hot 2 Trot kicks off with a behind-the-scenes look at Foal Cam season. We are joined by Samantha Wilton and Rhiannon Swimelar, college students in Delaware Valley University’s equine program who are gaining real-world, hands-on experience. While balancing classes and campus life, they’re also taking on the responsibility of watching mares around the clock during one of the...

We’re kicking off a special Hot 2 Trot mini-series in partnership with Parx Racing and On The Rail! Meadow and Ashley sit down with Parx announcer and host of On The Rail, Jessica Paquette, to talk track vibes, standout storylines, and what’s coming next behind the scenes. If you love racing culture, insider moments, and the energy you only get when you’re trackside, this episode sets the tone for...

Welcome to the Hot 2 Trot 2025 Year-In-Review! In this episode, Meadow, Ashley, and Jaylin take you through every major moment that shaped Pennsylvania racing this year — Super Sunday at Harrah’s Philly, Sun Stakes at Pocono, the Penn Mile, the Adios, PA Day at the Races, the PA Derby, the Presque Isle Mile, the Masters, and more. We dive into standout performances, the storylines fans couldn’t st...

This week on Hot 2 Trot, Meadow and Ashley sit down with Averie Levanti, Executive Coordinator for the Pennsylvania Breeders Association, for a deep dive into the 2025 breeding season. We discuss what’s new in the PA stallion roster, what makes Pennsylvania’s breeding incentives so strong, and what breeders should be thinking about as the season approaches. Whether you’re a breeder, owner, fan, or...

Join Meadow and Ashley on Hot 2 Trot as they sit down with jockey Ramon Moya, one of the most recognizable young riders on the PA circuit — both on the track and online. Ramon opens up about the grind of being a jockey and the standout moments of his career so far. He also dives into his massive social media presence, with 40K+ Instagram followers and 135K+ on TikTok, where he shares behind-the-sc...

On November 4, Ashley and Meadow traded in the track for the PA Farm Show Complex and went LIVE at the Harrisburg Black Book Sale! Tune in to see which special guests they talked to and hear all about the sale-day buzz.

It’s a Hot 2 Trot reunion! Meadow and Ashley catch up with former co-host Dawnelle Mock-Johnson, who’s now the Executive Director of the Meadows Standardbred Owners Association. Dawnelle shares what her role entails, her favorite moments from her first year leading the MSOA, and a few exciting life updates along the way!

Step inside the announcer’s booth with Jeff Zidek, the voice of The Meadows Racetrack! In this episode of Hot 2 Trot, Meadow and Ashley chat with Jeff about his journey to becoming a full-time race announcer, behind-the-scenes prep, and what it really takes to call thousands of races with accuracy and excitement!