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 trainer and veterinarian, and Pocono Racing Secretary Rick Kane.

Timestamps:

00:00 — Welcome to Sun Stakes Saturday at Pocono Downs

 04:00 — Handicapping, Wagering & the Day’s Big Races

 08:34 — Dr. Moore: Flying In, Shalom Hanover & His Stable

 14:24 — Bojangles, Four-Year-Olds & Dr. Moore’s Career

 17:01 — From Veterinarian to Hall of Fame Trainer

 20:00 — Life in the Air: Dr. Moore’s Pilot Journey

 22:00 — The Future of Training, Family & Retirement

 30:14 — Racing Secretary Rick Kane on Building Big Race Days

 39:19 — Late Pick 4: Lynch, Trot, Pace & Earl Beal Picks

 46:12 — Max Hempt Memorial & the Best Three-Year-Old Pacers

 49:39 — Earl Beal Memorial, Final Tickets & Sign-Off

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 dozens of careers in the racing industry.

To learn more about PTHA Charities, visit patha.org/charities. 

Timestamps:

00:00 — Welcome to Hot to Trot & Meet Don Johnson
06:45 — Horse Racing Regulation, Safety & Industry Governance
10:08 — The Future of Horse Racing Wagering & Computer-Assisted Players
16:12 — Bringing Youth Into Horse Racing Through Education & Mentoring
27:04 — Building Local Racing Programs & Industry Partnerships
32:49 — Making Horse Racing Relevant to a New Generation
40:11 — Reaching Students, Changing Perceptions & Racing Safety
47:14 — Hot Seat: Coffee, Cruises, Pizza & More
53:50 — Jockey Life, Marathons & Life Beyond Racing
59:10 — Final Thoughts, Youth Education & How to Get Involved

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 Twaddle makes a guest return to Hot 2 Trot!

Timestamps:

0:00 – Welcome to Hot to Trot Live

3:56 – Director of Racing Mike Carter Previews Adios Day

6:54 – Handicapping Tournaments & New Betting Opportunities

14:59 – National TV Coverage & Final Preparations

17:34 – Ron Burke on His Powerful Adios Stable

28:0 – Race Day Mindset with Ron Burke

30:38 – Meadow Twaddle Returns & Weekend Preview

33:43 – Handicapping the First Adios Volo Division

38:00 – Handicapping the Second Adios Volo Division

42:52 – Breaking Down the 60th Adios Pace

52:37 – Final Picks & Closing Thoughts

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 Road

08:47 – Pennsylvania Day at the Races Preview

12:18 – First 2-Year-Old Race & Stakes Race Handicapping

20:20 – Uncle Heavy, Bartlett & Pennsylvania Stakes Contenders

26:22 – Fillies, Stallions & Pennsylvania Breeding Spotlight

30:05 – Smarty Jones Memories & Racing Legacy

33:44 – Summer Rapid Fire: Ice Cream, Beaches & Boardwalks

39:19 – Final Thoughts & Pennsylvania Day at the Races

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 Grove and days at The Meadows where he casually pulls off four or five wins on a single card. Ashley and Jessica learn about how Jeremy became a harness racing driver, his family ties in the industry, and what the view is like from the seat of the race bike. 

Timestamps:

0:00 – Welcome & Meet Harness Driver Jeremy Indof

1:43 – Growing Up in Racing & Becoming a Driver

6:07 – Career Highlights, Big Wins & Lessons from the Horses

10:53 – Life Behind the Bike: Weather, Equipment & Daily Routine

16:14 – Horse Care, Racing Misconceptions & Growing New Fans

19:34 – The Hot Seat: Music, Coffee, TV & Gas Station Snacks

23:23 – Final Thoughts & Farewell

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 everything from Dr. Manfredi’s early interactions with horse racing to her appearance on reality TV in the American Dream Derby and what it means to be the first female president of the PHBA, since its inception in 1948. And if, after this episode, you want to see some PA-bred horses in action, join us for Pennsylvania Day at the Races at Parx Racing on July 18, 2026!

Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro & Meet Deanna Manfredi

01:33 – Growing Up in Pennsylvania Racing & Breeding

03:36 – The Horse Industry’s Impact on Agriculture & Open Space

10:14 – Winning a Reality Show and Launching a Breeding Farm

17:29 – The State of Pennsylvania Thoroughbred Breeding Today

24:13 – Life Beyond Racing: Second Careers for Thoroughbreds

30:13 – Protecting Pennsylvania Racing & Breeding’s Future

34:33 – PA Day at the Races, Yearling Show & Industry Events

42:26 – The Hot Seat: Ghosts, Horses & Rapid-Fire Questions

46:43 – Final Thoughts & Closing Remarks

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 Klein, the new announcer at Penn National Race Course.

Timestamps:

00:00:00 – Welcome to Hot to Trot Live at Penn National

00:01:53 – Pennsylvania Racing, Breeding & Penn Mile Preview

00:10:31 – Chris McErlean on Penn Mile History & Race Day

00:17:55 – Penn Mile Trivia, Records & Racing Stories

00:25:26 – Larry Collmus on Calling Racing's Greatest Moments

00:43:54 – Meet Nathan Klein: Penn National's New Announcer

00:59:20 – Penn Mile Night Stakes Race Analysis & Betting Picks

01:14:14 – Penn Mile Selections & Final Thoughts 

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 harder job, their tips for making it in this industry, and how they balance work and family on this episode of Hot 2 Trot! 

Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro & Jockey vs. Driver Debate

02:17 – Growing Up in Horse Racing Families

04:34 – Life on the Road & Racing Grind

12:37 – Understanding the Horses

18:31 – Risks, Injuries & Mental Toughness

27:00 – Family Life Outside the Track

31:34 – Career Highlights & Defining Success

37:37 – Funny Rapid Fire Questions & Outro

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! 

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Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro & 2026 Kentucky Derby Preview Begins

00:45 – Kentucky Oaks 2026: Top Fillies & Early Favorites

03:42 – Best Oaks Bets: Sleeper Picks & Race Strategy

09:32 – Horse Racing Betting Tips: How to Bet the Oaks

13:34 – Final Kentucky Oaks Picks (Best Bets & Tickets)

16:09 – Kentucky Derby 2026 Favorites Breakdown

24:10 – Derby Longshots & International Horses to Watch

39:44 – Final Derby Picks + Where to Watch & Events

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 – Intro & Welcome

00:20 – Meet Trainer John Kirby

01:18 – Life Outside Racing & Farm Talk

03:37 – How John Got Into Horse Racing

06:17 – Young Trainer Journey & Early Success

09:21 – Career Highlights & Churchill Downs Win

13:17 – Mentors, Favorite Horse & Barn Life

18:42 – Running a Barn & Industry Insights

27:14 – Goals, Industry Future & Hot Seat Q&A