Well, I was going to say that Bobert was wrong and that hot water doesn't and can't freeze faster than cold, so I did a search on the topic. To my surprise, the answer seems to be "not proven."

There is a long, detailed explanation here about the Mpemba Effect, as it's called. What it boilsl down to is that scientists don't know for sure and are having a really tough time proving one way or the other.

Interesting. Now I'm thinking about how to prove or disprove it.

I'll do this while I toss food out for the birds. (Can't do a birdbath in a third floor condo.)