Live from PA Derby Weekend!

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 Pennsylvania Horse Racing Association gears up to celebrate its fifth annual PA Caretakers Day, we want to thank the grooms, hotwalkers, and backstretch workers who take care of our horses every single day. Without them, there's no racing.Timestamps:00:00 — Introduction and Meet Todd Harper01:15 — Growing Up on the Racetrack04:45 — Working Across Different Tracks08:39 — Backside Community and Support13:14 — Daily Routine of a Caretaker16:56 — Race Days and Post-Race Routine20:28 — Career Growth and Todd’s Favorite Horses26:51 — Caretakers Appreciation and Support 

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 Crown03:27 — 2-Year-Old Filly Trot: Favorites & Value Picks11:02 — 2-Year-Old Filly Pace: A Wide-Open $700K Final19:16 — How to Handicap Harness Racing: Class, Drivers & Post Positions24:59 — 2-Year-Old Colt Trot & Pace: Breaking Down the Contenders40:40 — 3-Year-Old Filly Pace: Saturday's Top Contenders45:45 — 3-Year-Old Filly Trot: Little Road & the Contenders54:55 —  3-Year-Old Colt Trot & Gelding Pace: Big Ranger & Brandon Boulevard 01:04:17 — Breeders Crown Best Bets & Long Shots01:08:38 — 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 Voice09:30 — Nathan's Life Beyond Horse Racing15:00 — How Nathan Discovered Horse Racing24:18 — The Racing Symposium & 50 Ideas in 50 Minutes27:24 — From "Sketchy the Horse Guy" to Viral Race Caller35:16 — The Wildest Horse Names He's Ever Heard39:25 — Autism, Adversity & Finding Your Path50:28 — The Power of Networking & Being Yourself56:59 — Life in the Race Calling Booth01:02:32 — 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 Trot00:07:30 — Pennsylvania Racing Weekend Preview00:18:00 — First Rodeo Racing: Building a Racing Stable00:28:00 — Presque Isle Downs & The Presque Isle Mile00:37:00 — Weekend Stakes & Handicapping Strategies00:45:00 — Meet Jody MacDonald: Mac at the Track00:49:00 — Pennsylvania Derby Field Breakdown00:58:00 — Pennsylvania Pick 4 & Presque Isle Mile Picks01:03:00 — The Masters Stakes Picks01:06:00 — Cotillion Stakes & Million-Dollar Races01:10:00 — Pennsylvania Derby Picks01:14:00 — 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 Johnson06:45 — Horse Racing Regulation, Safety & Industry Governance10:08 — The Future of Horse Racing Wagering & Computer-Assisted Players16:12 — Bringing Youth Into Horse Racing Through Education & Mentoring27:04 — Building Local Racing Programs & Industry Partnerships32:49 — Making Horse Racing Relevant to a New Generation40:11 — Reaching Students, Changing Perceptions & Racing Safety47:14 — Hot Seat: Coffee, Cruises, Pizza & More53:50 — Jockey Life, Marathons & Life Beyond Racing59:10 — 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 Live3:56 – Director of Racing Mike Carter Previews Adios Day6:54 – Handicapping Tournaments & New Betting Opportunities14:59 – National TV Coverage & Final Preparations17:34 – Ron Burke on His Powerful Adios Stable28:0 – Race Day Mindset with Ron Burke30:38 – Meadow Twaddle Returns & Weekend Preview33:43 – Handicapping the First Adios Volo Division38:00 – Handicapping the Second Adios Volo Division42:52 – Breaking Down the 60th Adios Pace52:37 – 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 Paquette02:03 – Summer Heat, Horse Racing & Life on the Road08:47 – Pennsylvania Day at the Races Preview12:18 – First 2-Year-Old Race & Stakes Race Handicapping20:20 – Uncle Heavy, Bartlett & Pennsylvania Stakes Contenders26:22 – Fillies, Stallions & Pennsylvania Breeding Spotlight30:05 – Smarty Jones Memories & Racing Legacy33:44 – Summer Rapid Fire: Ice Cream, Beaches & Boardwalks39:19 – 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 Indof1:43 – Growing Up in Racing & Becoming a Driver6:07 – Career Highlights, Big Wins & Lessons from the Horses10:53 – Life Behind the Bike: Weather, Equipment & Daily Routine16:14 – Horse Care, Racing Misconceptions & Growing New Fans19:34 – The Hot Seat: Music, Coffee, TV & Gas Station Snacks23:23 – Final Thoughts & Farewell