by Victoria Howard

Growing up in Michigan, Jenna Otten spent many hours in a barn or at a county fair with her older sister, Jessica, helping their father, Peter. Although sibling rivalry is a normal part of a family’s life, the Otten women have remained close and today follow the same path in life: promoting the sport of harness racing. Presently Jessica is the marketing coordinator at The Meadowlands and Jenna is employed at Eldorado Scioto Downs.

The Ottens are third generation horsepeople and huge advocates of harness racing, so it came as no surprise when Jenna decided to embark on the same path. Although her parents may have been a bit disillusioned after Jenna spent four years in college studying for her Bachelors in Sport Psychology only to take a job with Caesar’s Entertainment, they fully supported Jenna’s decision.

Jenna spoke about her relationship with her sister Jessica.

“It’s been pretty amazing watching Jessica grow in the sport,” Jenna said. “She’s not only a big role model for me, but for many other women who want to pursue a career in our sport.

“We have been pretty close our entire life and it was really fun growing up with her. If you are lucky enough to know Jess, you will understand me, for she always has a smile on her face. I was the typical little sister who always wanted to fight and annoy her, but she was always a supportive big sister through all my athletics in school and throughout my college golf career and is continuing to be supportive with my new career in the sport.

“Growing up in the barn people probably thought we loathed one another but they were wrong. It was weird because we became the closest when she moved away, and I left home to live at college. I’m so thankful that we now see each other September through January despite us living eight hours apart.

“I’ve been blessed to have had some pretty exciting opportunities and a lot of them have been with Jess. I mean, how many people can say they’ve been on national television with their sister covering the sport?”

The sisters teamed up on the 2024 Little Brown Jug and Kentucky Futurity broadcasts.

“When Jess and I were on Fox television at The Red Mile, nothing really felt different, but now looking back, that was the first time The Red Mile was aired on national television, and the fact that Jess and I were together is pretty cool. At the time I didn’t realize the impact it had, but the next day when my friends back in Michigan told me they watched us on FOX Sports I realized just how awesome the opportunities I am getting are.

“Working at Caesars the opportunities are endless. I’m still young and really enjoy the travel aspect of things and covering the Grand Circuit action. On the commentary side of things, I want to bring as much information as I can about a horse to the fan and gambler. On an outreach aspect, I want to try to bring in as many new faces to the sport.”

Even though the Otten sisters grew up together, they are not always of the same mind.

“Believe it or not, although Jess and I get along most of the time, there are times when we butt heads. I feel this is not a negative but positive because it could get interesting for the viewers to listen to us to hear a true real debate on horses, not just commentary from us back and forth. Maybe it will make it more entertaining and add a little comedy.”

Jenna said she first got involved in the sport because it’s just in her blood.

“Being brought up in the barn with my sister and father is something that may have been difficult at times, but I wouldn’t have changed one thing,” Jenna said. “I loved watching horses grow and develop. On the other side, I love watching people at the track for the first time. At Scioto Downs fans can get close to the action and just watching them cheer on the horse they probably bet $2 to win on always puts a smile on my face.”

The younger Otten sister is quite invested in the sport.

“Presently I own two horses,” she said. “One is Two Can Play, a Shadow Play colt, and I also have a 2-year-old Captain Crunch gelding named D A Captain Marvel.”

Horses have always been a part of Jenna’s life, even at school.

“There were two horses that are special when I was younger working at the barn,” she said. “One was Thome, a gentle giant who taught me many things. I actually took him to school when I was in the 4th grade for Show and Tell.

“The other one was a trotter named Cain Rocks. My father never had many trotters, but this one was special. I bought him as a 3-year-old by myself and trained him down and got him to the races. He won his first race back and that was pretty special at a young age.”

There are many women that Jenna admires in the sport.

“If I didn’t say my sister Jessica first, I’d probably get a phone call the second this article came out. Besides Jess, I look up to Emily Gaskin, Moria Fanning, Heather Vitale and Amy Hollar. And I want to thank Victoria Howard for starting this column to honor all the women in the sport.”

Having been around the sport for her entire life, Jenna has some ideas of how to improve it.

“I think we must find a way to keep drawing younger fans to the track,” she said. “I’m a believer that once a person sees a race, they will want to come back.”

At a time of the year when so many people are thankful for their blessings, Jenna is certainly among them. She said she knows that she did not get to where she is today on her own.

“I give all the credit to my parents, for without them I’m not sure what I would be doing and where I would be today,” she said. “It probably wasn’t the easiest pill to swallow when I accepted the job at Caesar’s, considering I went to college for four years with plans on getting my Masters in Sports Psychology, but they never questioned or tried to change my mind, they were completely supportive. I also want to thank Scott Mogan [OHHA] for if it weren’t for him reaching out to me and giving me this wonderful opportunity, I would probably be drowning in homework still to this day. Much thanks go to Scott, and Joe Morris [senior vice-president of racing for Caesars Entertainment] for putting their trust in me and being the first to give me an opportunity to work for a racetrack.

“I also want to give a shoutout to the crew at Scioto: Jason Roth, Luc Russell and my broadcast partner Barry Vicroy. The first season I was annoyed at myself because I had so many questions about everything, but they never once batted an eye and have always been there for me. It wasn’t easy moving away from home not knowing many people in the area, but they truly have made this place feel like home and I couldn’t be more grateful.

“And last, but not least, I want to thank all my friends back home who have always supported me and remind me they are just a phone call away.”