Latest / WashCo Insider / Meadow Twaddle
Transcript
- speaker-0: Welcome back to this week's episode of The Washcoat Insider. Today is going to be a good one because today I have with me Meadow Twaddle. Meadow is the marketing director of the MSOA based right at Hollywood Casinos down in Washington, PA. Between plenty of excitement on the track, the ins and outs of harness racing, and a big anniversary to celebrate at this year's Adios, Meadow and the MSOA have some pretty exciting things going on. We'll get into all of that when we come back. Well Meadow, thank you so much for being here today. I've been excited about this episode all week. speaker-1: Thank you so much for having me. I'm excited. speaker-0: Yeah, no problem. Well, let's get right into it. ⁓ it seems that what goes down at Hollywood Casino at the Meadows is kind of a different level of racing than maybe what some people are used to with like the Kentucky Derby or anything else they've seen on TV. But I wanna just get right into what is harness racing and what should people know about it? You know, how is the experience at the meadows different than anywhere else? speaker-1: Yeah, so when people hear horse racing, they automatically think of the Kentucky Derby. ⁓ but little do they know there's a whole other side of the sp sport, ⁓ harness racing, and it's completely different. We use ⁓ race bikes or salkies and a driver. We don't use jockeys. ⁓ so the driver sits in the race bike connected to a harness that the horse is wearing and they either ⁓ race on the trot or on the pace. So galloping is not good in our sport, ⁓ just like the Kentucky Derby horses. They gallop, we do not gallop. speaker-0: Okay. And how like I'm assuming the horses are trained differently than, you know, Kentucky Derby horses. Like can you get into like how the horses go through that training for speaker-1: Yeah, so harness horses race ⁓ every week. ⁓ and they train one to two times a week. ⁓ third red horses or the Kentucky Derby horses, they usually race once, maybe twice a month. Their schedule is a lot different, but we're racing week to week and ⁓ they're exercising every day. ⁓ wow. speaker-0: Yeah. I know like when people drive past, you know, the casino maybe on nineteen or the highway, like you can always see horses on the track, like almost twenty four seven. But can you also talk about how many you have so many horses down there? Yeah. ⁓ Chase and I did a tour last year and it was just incredible like how much is back there. How many horses do you have on property at any given time? Yeah. speaker-1: It differs from time to time, I'd say. ⁓ it gets pretty busy over the summer, but ⁓ I would say at least five hundred. Wow. There's a lot. speaker-0: Yeah. That's a lot of horses. And there's people coming in from all over the place. You always see like trailers coming in and out of that. speaker-1: Yeah, a lot of people ship in just to race. ⁓ a lot coming from the other side of the state, ⁓ out east and most often Ohio. That's the closest track to us. I think the closest track's about two hours. ⁓ speaker-0: Wow. Yeah. Okay. So a lot going on down there. Yeah. But now that we have like kind of an idea of what harness racing is, and I'm sure we'll get into more of it later, I want to turn to you because you've got some interesting background. You've been around this sport your entire life, right? Your dad is a trainer. speaker-1: Yeah, my dad's a trainer. ⁓ I've grown up in the sport my whole entire life. ⁓ I didn't think this was the route I was gonna go originally. I went to college, I went to Washington and Jefferson College. I was a psychology major. but yeah, I kept getting pulled back into the horse racing world. I have so many ties to it and I I love it so much. So I knew this was ⁓ my destiny and and the path I needed to take. speaker-0: That's so exciting. Cause y you're now like making a career out of something that's been like this fixture of your entire life. What brings you back to the sport over and over again? speaker-1: I just really love the horses. I mean, it's a it's a lifestyle that's hard to explain but it's so different than than anything I've ever experienced. I mean being able to go to the barn every day and and see horses every day and and have that kind of connection to an animal like that is just I mean, you can't be speaker-0: I can't even imagine what that feels like. Especially with so many over there too. Well, you've been with the MSOA for how long now then? speaker-1: Yeah. I started helping them out when I was in college, ⁓ you know, when they had events and stuff, but I've been full time for just about six months now. Okay. speaker-0: Yeah. Well can you explain to us like what exactly the MSOA is, like what are its goals, kinda what what do you do on a day to day with them? speaker-1: Yeah, so the MSOA stands for the Meadows Standard Bread Owners Association and we're a horseman's group and we really invest ⁓ back into our horsemen. So we use a lot of funds to help promote and market the sport. ⁓ and we really try to showcase our horsemen and the hard work that they do. speaker-0: Okay. So what's kind of different? I know you said there's a property in Ohio. What in your opinion is like different about the MSOA, like the meadows experience that brings people in from all over? I speaker-1: Say one of the biggest things that's different is that we stable right on the grounds. We're one of few tracks that actually still have stabling on the grounds. And ⁓ that makes for a different sense of community. I mean, we all see each other every single day. ⁓ everyone kind of roots for each other because we're all friends and some family. ⁓ so I mean we're we really have a strong sense of community in that way. That's speaker-0: Exactly what I was about to say. It sounds like you guys have really built up this big community, which is so exciting. It's nice to see. ⁓ and I'm sure it's fun to watch too, because from our call earlier this week, it sounds like you guys have worked really hard to build up this, you know, this experience down at the meadows. ⁓ but it's also, you know, when people think about horse racing, maybe they think one thing or they think derby, betting, like all these things. But you guys have really worked hard to create A different kind of experience, which is a family friendly one. Yeah. Can you talk a little about what somebody might expect on a race day? ⁓ either like a special day or just a normal day for families who are trying to come down in the summer or try to find something to do in a day? speaker-1: Yeah, so I mean first things first, it's absolutely free to come out to the racetrack. There's no admission fee or anything like that. There's no parking fee. ⁓ so anyone's welcome at any point in time to come and enjoy an afternoon at the races. ⁓ we have a beautiful apron with outdoor furniture if anyone wants to come sit outside on a nice summer afternoon and watch the races. ⁓ just seeing horses up close and personal is cool in itself. So ⁓ if you're looking to bring your family out, To a race, just seeing the horses is is a big draw ⁓ on its own. But if you did want to come with your family, I would say pay attention to our schedule. We have lots of family fun nights and we have lots of events ⁓ that we put on for kids. ⁓ if you walk inside right there in the race book, we have ⁓ a new arcade that was just put in. ⁓ so that's really cool. That's always a big attention getter for the kids. There's ⁓ bowling alley as well. So, you know, if you kinda wanna split your time. ⁓ the parents want to watch some races, make some vets and the kids wanna go a bowl for a little bit, you're able to get the b best of both worlds. speaker-0: That's awesome. Yes, that is Starport Arcade that she's talking about. It's really cool. ⁓ they have dozens and dozens of like retro and like modern games. It's really quite a sight down there. It's been a great addition to the casino. So that's been really exciting. And I'm sure families, you know, it's a great day down there. They also have food options. Again, it's free parking, so it's just a really nice option. Okay. Now that we've covered, you know, harness racing and kind of like the day-to-day. ⁓ down there. I want to move on to the other big reason that you're here with us today. Can you tell us about the Delvin Miller audio space for the orchids? I want to make sure I said that correctly. speaker-1: Yeah, it's a it's a mouthful, but it's the sixtieth running of the Delvin Miller Pace for the Orchids. ⁓ this year we're sponsored by First Bet. It's our biggest event of the year. It goes for a purse of three hundred and fifty thousand dollars. Wow. It draws some of the greatest horses, greatest three year old horses in the sport. And ⁓ we really put a lot of time and effort into making it a great day. speaker-0: Wow. So what is like the significance of this particular race? I know it's like the biggest harness race, but is there like a special level of significance in the racing world for people or horses, anything like that? speaker-1: Yeah. So for us it's it's special 'cause it's the sixtieth running of the Adios, which is, you know, a historic thing in itself. ⁓ for others in the sport, the Adios is a prestigious grade one event. And to break it down, there's grade one, two, and three ⁓ races, grade one being the most premier. ⁓ it's split up between purse sizes, so three hundred fifty thousand is pretty significant purse. So we are considered a grade one event and we're one of five grade one events in North America for three year old. ⁓ cold and gelding pacers. So that's ⁓ you know, a pretty small number and we're honored to be part of it. ⁓ but yeah, it's a it's a great day and we get to pay honor and tribute to Delvin Miller and we really you know, try to go all out for it every year. speaker-0: Yeah, well Delvin Miller is something that I feel like I want to touch on too because that's kind of a name that resonates as like touches a lot of areas of Washington County. ⁓ namely Meadowcroft's ⁓ Rock Shelter in Historic Village, that's another mouthful, in Evella. there's a really cool story behind there, and I want to do a quick plug. If you have not seen our episode with Dave Schofield of Meadowcroft yet, He touches on the Miller story a little bit and it's a really, really good episode. Dave is awesome. So if you're curious, you should definitely go check that episode out. ⁓ but you know, there's a lot of history there. Not only did he help found that museum, but he's also a legendary horse trainer, right? speaker-1: Yeah, yeah. So he's a a legendary horse trainer, driver, owner, breeder, all the things. He's won over twenty four hundred races, over eleven million dollars in purses. Wow. ⁓ he's a trailblazer of the sport, ⁓ to put it bluntly. He ⁓ founded the Meadows Racetrack in nineteen sixty three. So ⁓ yeah, he he's a pretty prominent figure of harness racing in Washington County. speaker-0: And he was also so the breeder, like I think it said he bred a very famous horse audio. speaker-1: ⁓ yeah, well he in nineteen forty eight he ⁓ had Adios. Adios was one of the greatest pacing sires ever. ⁓ he he sired so many of the greatest horses. He sired eight ⁓ Little Brown Jug winners and Little Brown Jug is another grade one event that takes place in ⁓ Delaware County, Ohio. ⁓ wow. speaker-0: Yeah. So is his bloodline like still active around here? speaker-1: Yeah, I'm sure you could trace it back to so many of the greatest horses. It's kinda hard to track those pedigrees from so long ago, but when you have a great sire like that, his blood runs through some so many of the best horses. speaker-0: That's crazy. There's a lot of history there. And I think he was like also inducted. It said like the Hall of Fame, basically. Like he's a big deal. speaker-1: And actually fun fact, if you've ever been to the Heinz History Center in Pittsburgh, they have a harness racing exhibit. Ooh, I did that. Yeah, it's like it's kind of back in the corner of the sports section of the museum. But I've been there a few times and I always make my way there even though I've seen it a hundred times. But if you are going there, it's a very cool exhibit to check out. speaker-0: I actually should do that. That's like one of the funny things about Washington County to me is like it's a big county. It's a really big county, but everybody knows each other and like there are certain, you know, these figures of history that like have pockets all around the county of like, ⁓ this guy was involved with this, but he was also involved with this and this. So it's like part of this podcast has been like really fascinating to like tell those stories and kind of see what that history was like and just like connect with it. So that's a story that I really enjoy and I would like to get down to the audio to maybe learn a little more. Yeah. So for people who would like to go, can you outline what like that day experience is? Is it kind of like the Derby? Like do people dress up? Is there like special things to do? I'm sure you guys are running special activities for the sixtieth anniversary as well. speaker-1: Yeah, no. ⁓ I'd say so many people are drawn to the Kentucky Derby, the dresses and the hats and the ambiance and the vibes. And people don't realize that you have that right in your backyard. Adios Day is such a premier event and I mean you can kind of embody the same feeling as the Derby right here at the meadows. ⁓ dress up, wear your purple, it's to pace for the orchid, so we really go all out with the purple. ⁓ we encourage people to dress up and and wear your Sunday best so to speak. ⁓ we always have a lot going on and yeah, it's it's ⁓ if you if you wanna experience something like the Derby but can't really ⁓ have never made it out there or can't really get out there, this is the place to do it. speaker-0: Well, I will tell you, I have been to the Derby. I went to the Derby two years ago. I don't know if you have, but it's honestly a little surprising. ⁓ it's it's both what you expect and it's not what you expect. ⁓ so I was like in the inner track and it's just very ⁓ I let's just say I would rather go to the audio. Like it's fun. ⁓ and you have like if you care about what, you know speaker-1: No. speaker-0: the day is like dressing up and you know having a special drink and like taking pictures and you know maybe seeing the racers up close. Like I think the audio is honestly the better but for that. And it's right here. It's so close. Like you don't have to go, you know, downtown or you don't have to get on a flight, like anything like that. So that's a really good one. Yeah. So any sort of other like family I I know it's a family friendly day. Can you outline maybe s some of what the activities look like or anything like that? Or speaker-1: It's free. Of course Adios Day itself is family friendly, bring your family out. ⁓ but the Friday night before, ⁓ we call it Adios Eve, ⁓ is gonna be a family fun night. We're gonna have lots of family fun there. We also have wiener dog races, which ⁓ you know, that's always fun to watch. They come out on the track and in heats and then there's a final. So ⁓ if your kids love dogs or you love dogs, definitely come on out and watch the wiener dogs. Yes. speaker-0: Absolutely. And that was something that got moved from the Greater Pittsburgh Food Truck Festival. So if you miss the Wiener Dog races at the Food Truck Festival this year, you should definitely hit the audios for them. I heard they're a really big deal. I never made it down there, but I would like to this year. ⁓ also you have a very special announcement on your end for the anniversary. Talk about the broadcast. speaker-1: Yes, the Adios this year is gonna be broadcast nationally on CBS sports. ⁓ this is the first year we're partnering partnering with CBS. ⁓ so we're really hoping to draw a much larger national crowd and ⁓ reach a l a lot of new ho households with ⁓ you know, this broadcast. We're really excited. speaker-0: That's awesome. And you're gonna be on the broadcast, right? speaker-1: Yeah, I am. It's my first national broadcast. ⁓ I'm excited. I've I've recently dipped my toes into broadcasting, so this is gonna be my first ⁓ big test, so to speak. So No, I used to do a podcast ⁓ called Hot to Trot with the Pennsylvania Horse Racing Association. ⁓ I did that for a little over a year, so I've I've had my fair share of podcast. Your experience speaker-0: You're not new to having a microphone in front of You're gonna be great. I'm so excited to see that. ⁓ moving on to like I'm gonna throw a curveball at you. Okay. How do you hope because you're young, how do you hope the audio grows over the years or you know, harness racing? Like how do you hope younger people can get into this sport, become interested and help it grow? speaker-1: Yeah. ⁓ there's a thrill that comes with harness racing that's really hard to explain, especially when it's in your own backyard. ⁓ there's no other feeling than being on the apron right there on the fence and watching the ⁓ the the horses come around the final turn. And it's something that like you can experience so much differently than the derby. ⁓ it it's much more, you know, a community experience and it's It's just a thrill that's hard to explain. ⁓ I don't think people realize how fun it is to come out and watch harness racing. so I really hope that the sport does grow. I feel like it's swept under the rug a little bit because, you know, the thoroughbred horses are so popular. I mean, understandably so, but harness racing is just as exciting and ⁓ you know, we have just as many exciting events that we put all of our effort into promoting. Yeah. speaker-0: Because these horses and the riders too are athletes. Mm-hmm. They go through so much training, so much time. Again, like you drive past the casino, you see they're out there in the rain, like they're out there all the time, training, training, training. Like it's just incredible to speaker-1: That's that's another thing. Like we race year round. You know, summer, winter, fall, you name it, we're racing. I mean, very rarely do we cancel unless it's, you know, too cold or we had to cancel the other day because of a th a thunderstorm. But I mean, we're racing year round. These horses are built to race in any weather conditions and I mean, we have to give props to all of our trainers and drivers and grooms who have to work through the weather too. So, you know We everyone back there works really, really hard and it's great that, you know, people come out and and see what we can do. Yeah. speaker-0: And they're there 'cause just like you, they love it. Right. It's important to them. So that is so awesome. Where can people go for updates on races? You know, where can people find your socials and for audios information? speaker-1: So we keep Meadowsharness Racing.com very updated. ⁓ you can go there to find our racing schedule and what we have going on for special events. ⁓ but I also keep our socials updated as well. So you can find us on Instagram and talk TikTok at the MSOA, ⁓ Facebook, the Meadows Standard Bread Owners Association. I'm very active on social media. I try to keep things updated. I post a lot of TikToks, so definitely check us out. speaker-0: Awesome. Well Meadow, thank you so much for being here today. I'm so excited for the audio. I hope people come out and I hope people see what you get to do all day. speaker-1: Yes, thank you for having me. I'm excited. I hope to see you guys at the Adios. ⁓ if anyone, you know, wants to come out to the track and doesn't really know what where to start, what to do, please reach out. You can contact myself or the MSOA pages. I am on there all the time. also if you have a group or, you know, you yourself want a tour of the barn area or anything like that, please reach out. We're more than happy to have people come, you know, take a look at things and and have a barn tour and meet the horses up close and personal. speaker-0: Yes, we did it. It's really fun. It's really, really cool to see ⁓ the horses interacting with the trainers and all that. So it's absolutely worth it. I highly recommend. Well, the 60th Delvin Miller Audio Space for the Orchids is Saturday, July 25th at Hollywood Casino at the Meadows. It's free to attend and it is absolutely worth checking out if you're looking for a whole day and honestly a whole weekend of excitement on the track. Thank you so much again for being here. It's been a pleasure. And we can't wait to see how both the Audios and the MSOA grow right here in Washington County. Well that is all for today's episode. This episode actually officially concludes season one of the Washcoat Insider, but don't worry because we have even more coming for you in season two. Thank you guys so much for watching and listening, and we will see you soon.