Horseman Jeff Siegel, 74

 

So sorry here to share news of the passing of Jeff Siegel, noted horseracing commentator, and a great mentor for many handicappers amateur and professional. This LA-based writer, handicapper and racehorse owner, died Saturday morning after suffering from cancer. He was 74.

One hopes for some review, but in the game of life and death, there is no call to "hold all tickets."

As the Daily Racing Forms writes of Siegel: He was a contemporary of the noted California public handicappers Jerry Antonucci, Gordon Jones, and Jack Karlick.

“Siegel was a mainstay at a time when racetrack press boxes were often full,” writes DRF’s Steve Andersen.

As an owner, Siegel won the Santa Anita with Martial Law. This is recalled by veteran racing writer Jay Privman.

 “His cheering, as Martial Law and Martin Pedroza came through the stretch, and his reaction to the win, is seared into my brain,” Privman wrote. “’Work on him Martin. Work on him Martin. Work on him Martin. Yes, yes, yes, I win the Big Cap!’

“Sheer joy. He ran out of the press box and down the stairs faster than Straight No Chaser in the Breeders' Cup Sprint.”

The DRF eulogy goes on to cite Siegel’s developing handicapping methods. He was brought to the track as a boy with his father, and for his methodology he took another direction. Like many a son, eh?!

It’s writ: “Through the years, I listened very closely to his methods and theories, and I did the opposite,” Siegel said. “By the time I graduated college, I must have read every handicapping book ever published.”

After Jeff Siegel gave him six of six winners on a card, Andrew Beyer in "Beyer on Speed" dubbed Siegel "The World's Greatest Handicapper".  On the opening for today's card, Santa Anita held a moment of silence.

We learn about horse racing with every race. To varying extents we learn from the noted professional handicappers. I always wanted to know what Jay Siegel thought, especially about West Coast tracks. 

He was ill last summer when I tuned into his seminar with Jeremy Plonk on the eve of the Del Mar meet. Looking back at that I find Seigel was still as always raring to share his horseplaying knowledge. The following hints and tips might be visited again at the end of the month, when the Breeders' Cup takes place where the Surf meets the Turf. [See Below. But first, some eulogies from Twitter.]

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From X

Said Caton Bredar
Hands down the sharpest handicapper I had the privilege of working next to. Very sad day.

Said Steve Byk
It's to racing's credit that a man of Jeff Siegel's intellect was so attracted to it and the game is infinitely better off for the variety of professional talents he dedicated to it. Was a privilege to know him and learn from him. Take the over on how much he'll be missed..

Said Laffit Pincay
As a close friend recently described, he was “one of a kind.” Jeff Siegel. My cohost for 12 years, a mentor, a friend. I learned as much about racing from him as anyone else. Man, he would have loved that UCLA win yesterday. 

Matt Dinerman

Jeff Siegel was truly a legend in his field. A Grade I handicapper, and a versatile media talent who could write, broadcast, report, and entertain to the highest degree. His knowledge of racing stacked up with anyone out there. And he was a damn good guy too. 

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The following tips and hints on Del Mar racing are extracted from the YouTube video, provided by Jeff Siegel, veteran Southern California handicapper who was also the official track Morning Line maker at Del Mar this season.

Tips on Pace and Dirt Track Running

• Del Mar differs from Santa Anita: The Del Mar track is "far different from San Anita," where it is typically "very difficult to make up ground". Unlike Santa Anita, where you can often figure out the winner at the quarter pole, this is not the case at Del Mar.

• Contested Speed and Stalkers: If you can project a race (either sprinting or routing) that will feature a contested pace that is "faster than par Pace," the speed runners usually "pay the price".

• Look to Mid-Pack Runners: When a contested speed jam is anticipated, look at the stalkers and mid pack Runners because they have an edge. These horses at Del Mar possess an acceleration that similar runners at Santa Anita often lack.

• Track Bias Changes Daily: The track bias at Del Mar is highly variable; it "can be Pro speed [or] it can be Pro closers". You never know, as "it changes day to day". This shifting bias is a major difference from Santa Anita, which "very rarely changes".

• Adjust Based on Early Races: You must watch the early races of the day to see if there may be an edge one way or the other. If an edge is found, you may have to adjust your handicapping.

Tips on Horses for Courses (Past Performance)

• Positive Factor for Past Success: Del Mar is a different racetrack where horses that do not perform well at Santa Anita "will improve a ton". Past success at Del Mar, whether last year or in the past, is considered an "extra positive factor" and a "very important factor".

• Checking Past Runs: When handicapping a horse, you should always check back to see how they have done at Del Mar in the past.

• Forgiving Bad Past Runs: If a horse has not run well at Del Mar previously, you "can forgive that" if it might have been due to being "in too tough or wrong distance".

• Caution on Previous Poor Runs: However, if a horse was in a good spot previously at Del Mar and did not run well, "be careful" because they "might not run well again".

Tips on Turf Course Running

• Inside Posts are Highly Positive: "Inside posts on grass are very very positive".

• Understanding the Turf Shape: The turf course is described as an "egg shaped type" where horses "get a point on the turn and they come over that drop down into the stretch".

• Avoid Running Wide (Especially Two Turns): If you are "hung wide" on the turn, it is disadvantageous. While you might try running wide on one turn, you must not try it at two turns. If you are wide coming out of the turn, you "better get over or else you have no chance".

• Securing a Good Trip: Inside posts (the three or four posts) give a horse "a really good chance to secure a perfect trip" when going a mile or coming out of the dog leg.