Hot 2 Trot

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

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 Manfredi01:33 – Growing Up in Pennsylvania Racing & Breeding03:36 – The Horse Industry’s Impact on Agriculture & Open Space10:14 – Winning a Reality Show and Launching a Breeding Farm17:29 – The State of Pennsylvania Thoroughbred Breeding Today24:13 – Life Beyond Racing: Second Careers for Thoroughbreds30:13 – Protecting Pennsylvania Racing & Breeding’s Future34:33 – PA Day at the Races, Yearling Show & Industry Events42:26 – The Hot Seat: Ghosts, Horses & Rapid-Fire Questions46:43 – 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 National00:01:53 – Pennsylvania Racing, Breeding & Penn Mile Preview00:10:31 – Chris McErlean on Penn Mile History & Race Day00:17:55 – Penn Mile Trivia, Records & Racing Stories00:25:26 – Larry Collmus on Calling Racing's Greatest Moments00:43:54 – Meet Nathan Klein: Penn National's New Announcer00:59:20 – Penn Mile Night Stakes Race Analysis & Betting Picks01:14:14 – 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 Debate02:17 – Growing Up in Horse Racing Families04:34 – Life on the Road & Racing Grind12:37 – Understanding the Horses18:31 – Risks, Injuries & Mental Toughness27:00 – Family Life Outside the Track31:34 – Career Highlights & Defining Success37:37 – 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! Gambling is for ages 18 and up. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLERTimestamps:00:00 – Intro & 2026 Kentucky Derby Preview Begins00:45 – Kentucky Oaks 2026: Top Fillies & Early Favorites03:42 – Best Oaks Bets: Sleeper Picks & Race Strategy09:32 – Horse Racing Betting Tips: How to Bet the Oaks13:34 – Final Kentucky Oaks Picks (Best Bets & Tickets)16:09 – Kentucky Derby 2026 Favorites Breakdown24:10 – Derby Longshots & International Horses to Watch39:44 – Final Derby Picks + Where to Watch & Events