Hot 2 Trot

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

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 Racing. She also hosts the Amateur Hour Podcast, an inclusive and open space for horse professionals and amateurs to discuss current events and the equestrian experience. 

Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro & Welcome

00:34 – Horse Racing Connections

02:15 – Learning the Game: Handicapping Stories

04:05 – Jessica’s Life Update & Horses

06:18 – Life Lessons from Horses

07:27 – Tough Winter & Race Calling Challenges

10:01 – Behind the Scenes: Race Calling & Handicapping Style

12:22 – Awards, Industry Recognition & Competition

14:33 – Kentucky Derby Trail & Top Horses

27:00 – Personal Life, Community & Industry Culture

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 from their time together working at the Maryland Jockey Club to Scott’s new role and some of his goals for Penn National this year! 

Chapters:

00:00 – Introduction

00:36 – Scott’s Racing Roots & Career Journey

03:57 – From Operations to Regulation

08:19 – Different Perspectives in Racing

10:35 – Maryland Jockey Club and Triple Crown

18:40 – Favorite Racing Moments

23:23 – Harness vs. Thoroughbred Racing

32:13 – New Role at Penn National

37:22 – Industry Challenges & The Future of Racing

47:39 – Events, Fan Experience & What’s Next

50:49 – Hot Seat Questions

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 most important times of the breeding season. This episode offers a unique look at the dedication, learning opportunities, and excitement that come with being a student at DelVal University!

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 the entire series. Dive in and get the first look at what’s happening at Parx right now.

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 stop talking about, and our own top memories. We also look ahead to 2026 with predictions, goals, and a New Year lightning round. Don’t miss it!

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 just curious how the PA program works, this is a must-watch episode!