Hot 2 Trot

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!

On September 19, Meadow and Ashley sat trackside at Parx Racing with Dan Tordjman of America's Best Racing! They talked about a thrilling weekend of thoroughbred racing, covering PA Day at the Races, the Pennsylvania Derby, and even The Masters card at Presque Isle Downs. Catch a recap of their live show, including their attempt at the Chickie's and Pete's challenge!

Meadow and Ashley sit down with Dr. Jeff Berk, a founding member and current Board Director of Light Up Racing, an initiative dedicated to bringing transparency, education, and community to horse racing. Dr. Berk shares the group’s mission, explains the Cohort Program that trains advocates to tell racing’s story, and highlights the importance of clear communication in tough moments—always with equ...

In this episode of Hot 2 Trot , Gabe Prewitt joins us to talk all things wagering — from building smarter betting menus to connecting with players, embracing transparency, and what racing can learn from the sportsbook world. We dive into his vision for the future of betting and what it takes to keep fans engaged. If you love the action behind the windows, this one’s for you.

Ashley and Meadow are back with another pre-race live show. On July 25, 2025, our hosts went to Meadow's home track, The Meadows, to kick off one of Pennsylvania harness racing's biggest weekends of the year, Adios! Hear their thoughts on the race, with interviews from guests like Ronnie Wrenn Jr. and Dave Palone.

They’re bold, they’re fast, and they’re just getting started. Harness driver Braxten Boyd and Thoroughbred jockey Tyler Conner join Hot 2 Trot. From career-defining wins to chaotic Hot Seat questions, we dive into their backgrounds, mental game, ambitions, and what it’s really like to be the next generation shaking up the sport. Whether you’re a fan of the sulky or the saddle, this crossover conve...

Join Meadow and Ashley on Hot 2 Trot as they sit down with Anthony and Amy MacDonald, the dynamic duo behind TheStable.ca — a game-changing fractional ownership group shaking up the harness racing world! From launching a fresh ownership model and overcoming early challenges to balancing a booming global business with family life, Anthony and Amy share their inspiring journey and unique insights in...

In this special edition of Hot 2 Trot, check out our first live pre-race show at Harrah’s Philadelphia Super Sunday! Ashley and Meadow sat trackside as they discussed the Super Sunday races and chatted with some of the most exclusive people in Pennsylvania harness racing.

In this episode of Hot 2 Trot, we are exploring aftercare options for retired racehorses with two incredible guests: Danielle Montgomery from Turning for Home and Winnie Morgan Nemeth from New Vocations. Both organizations are dedicated to giving retired racehorses a second chance and helping them transition into new careers. Join us as we discuss the ins and outs of aftercare, how these programs...

Special guests Jessica Paquette and Ed DeRosa break down their top picks for the 151st running of the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks. They discuss notable contenders, highlight standout qualities, and reveal who they’re backing on their trifecta tickets. With expert insights and bold predictions, this is one Derby preview you won’t want to miss. So—who do you think will wear the roses this year?