Siegels named Owners of the Year for second time

Arlene and Jules Siegel, Pennsylvanians who are perennially near the top of the national standings as both owners and breeders, had an excellent year with their racetrack stock in 2009, thus earning selection as the Norman Woolworth Owners of the Year in voting among active members of the United States Harness Writers Association. This is the second time the Siegels have been so honored, having also won the award in 2002.

 

Leading the Siegels’ racing brigade was Broadway Schooner, a 3-year-old trotting filly who figures in the thick for her division’s honors. A winner in 2009 of $869,341, Broadway Schooner won arguably the two most important races in her section this year, the $783,042 Hambletonian Oaks and the $600,000 Breeders Crown.

 

But Broadway Schooner was by no means the only racetrack star for the Siegels, who use Jim Campbell as their trainer. Three other performers took down more than $300,000: Western Moonlight ($329,089), winner of the Sweetheart Pace; New Jersey Sire Stakes champion Dial Or Nodial ($360,265); and Pennsylvania Sire Stakes star Fashion Feline ($321,273).

 

Many of the triumphs of their horses were especially sweet to the Siegels, as they had also bred the youngsters. Broadway Schooner was their first homebred to win a Breeders Crown; Pilgrims Taj followed soon after. Dial Or Nodial and Fashion Feline were also bred at their  Fashion Farms north of Philadelphia, which this year will stand Broadway Hall, Real Artist, Village Jolt, and newcomer Western Cyclone.

 

Arlene and Jules Siegel will be honored at the annual awards dinner of the Harness Writers, to be held on Sunday, Feb. 28, 2010 at Yonkers Raceway. (Yonkers)