Hot 2 Trot

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 Breeders Crown

03:27 — 2-Year-Old Filly Trot: Favorites & Value Picks

11:02 — 2-Year-Old Filly Pace: A Wide-Open $700K Final

19:16 — How to Handicap Harness Racing: Class, Drivers & Post Positions

24:59 — 2-Year-Old Colt Trot & Pace: Breaking Down the Contenders

40:40 — 3-Year-Old Filly Pace: Saturday's Top Contenders

45:45 — 3-Year-Old Filly Trot: Little Road & the Contenders

54:55 —  3-Year-Old Colt Trot & Gelding Pace: Big Ranger & Brandon Boulevard 

01:04:17 — Breeders Crown Best Bets & Long Shots

01:08:38 — Pick 4 Tickets, Final Predictions & Closing

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 started as an announcer right out of college. 

Timestamps:

00:00 — Intro & Meet Penn National's New Voice

09:30 — Nathan's Life Beyond Horse Racing

15:00 — How Nathan Discovered Horse Racing

24:18 — The Racing Symposium & 50 Ideas in 50 Minutes

27:24 — From "Sketchy the Horse Guy" to Viral Race Caller

35:16 — The Wildest Horse Names He's Ever Heard

39:25 — Autism, Adversity & Finding Your Path

50:28 — The Power of Networking & Being Yourself

56:59 — Life in the Race Calling Booth

01:02:32 — Nathan's Favorites, Travel & Penn National's Return

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 what they had to say when Chickie's & Pete's stopped by with some iconic Philly foods to try!

00:00:00 — Welcome to Hot to Trot

00:07:30 — Pennsylvania Racing Weekend Preview

00:18:00 — First Rodeo Racing: Building a Racing Stable

00:28:00 — Presque Isle Downs & The Presque Isle Mile

00:37:00 — Weekend Stakes & Handicapping Strategies

00:45:00 — Meet Jody MacDonald: Mac at the Track

00:49:00 — Pennsylvania Derby Field Breakdown

00:58:00 — Pennsylvania Pick 4 & Presque Isle Mile Picks

01:03:00 — The Masters Stakes Picks

01:06:00 — Cotillion Stakes & Million-Dollar Races

01:10:00 — Pennsylvania Derby Picks

01:14:00 — Final Picks, Trackside Fun & Season Wrap-Up

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