by Scott Waddell

1. You and your wife are a real team. I cannot think of any other husband-and-wife team so active. Often the wife is in the background. Is Arlene more interested in one area of the horse operation than you are?

It has always been a team effort between my wife, Arlene and me since we met and married. As you know, our business was the chain drugstore business, and we were both involved in the total operation and decision making together. We each had different spheres; Arlene had much better taste than I did, so when it came to purchasing gift ware, decorations and the like, she most often selected the items and the colors. My responsibility was the pharmacy department, and the purchasing of the health and beauty aid items, with the exception of cosmetics.

USTA Photo

Jules Siegel

We have likewise cooperated in the horse business starting around 1989, when we began to select broodmares, and to this day there are not many activities and decision that are made that both of us are not involved in as far as purchasing, selling, breeding, staking, and racing our horses are concerned. For many years, we both were on hand at each foaling, even at 2 or 3 a.m. to physically participate. We felt that Arlene’s experience as a nurse and mine as a pharmacist would benefit each of us in the activity. After awhile, I started to skip a few nights, but Arlene, when we are in PA has not missed a foaling in the last fifteen years. We not only discuss all aspects of horse farming with each other, but we involve all of our most qualified associates in just about every decision. We have, in my opinion the most knowledgeable people in the industry, whether it be in breeding, foaling, training, racing and farm operation.

2. Real Artist was a very successful 2-year-old but not so successful as a 3-year-old. He’s been a successful stallion, however. Does that give him you hope for Broadway Hall, who was an unbeaten 2-year-old and didn’t race as a 3-year-old?

The jury will be in next year when his offspring begin to race. Until now all the comment about the yearlings have been very positive.

3. Could you relive the Hambletonian victory that Tagliabue scored in 1995.

Of course the first big thrill we had was when Tagliabue won the Hambletonian. There are no words to describe that thrill. Arlene and I were standing two feet off the ground for the entire week afterwards. Just to realize how fortunate we were to have won the most impressive trotting race after having been in the industry for just over six years, it was beyond our every dream. Of course, what followed was almost as exciting when Real Artist won the Wilson , when Galleria won the Breeder’s Crown and then became the fastest filly pacer ever with a mark of 149.1 and finally when Broadway Hall was undefeated and won the Breeder’s Crown. We would pinch ourselves after each to make sure it was real.

4. How do you envision slots at tracks changing harness racing and breeding in Pennsylvania ? Do you see any “downside” to slots?

Initially the slots will have a tremendous effect on racing in PA. The purses will increase substantially and the contribution to the PA breeders will have a very positive result in that the state will benefit immensely from the influx of mares that will be staying in the state for the 180 day period to be eligible for the breeders allowances. The increase in purses will attract better quality horses to the established tracks and to the ones forthcoming. The downside, of course, is that unless the tracks implement tighter security and enforce the rules stringently, the ‘chemists’ will find methods to corrupt the tracks and when that happens the administrations at the track must enforce the penalties and get rid of the violators permanently as happens at Dover Downs. If the horse racing handle does not increase substantially or if the horses do not bring larger crowds, it is possible that the slot people will have to decide whether they need the race horses to improve their business.

5. What has been your biggest disappointment in racing?

We have had a huge amount of success in the short span of our participation in the sport, for which we are very thankful. We take the good with the bad, and realize that in dealing with horses, there are highlights and low spots. We have had three outstanding winner; Tagliabue, Real Artist, and Broadway Hall. Unfortunately, each of them suffered injuries at the height of their careers and at the times, it was a crushing disappointment. We wanted to take Tagliabue to Europe to race, we felt that Real Artist would have gone on to be one of the sports best, and that Broadway Hall would have been a sensation as a three year old, but none of these were to happen.

6. Do you think tracks and racing commissions are doing a good enough job policing medication use?

The commissions overall have done very little policing medications at the east coast tracks, and the powers that be at the tracks have done even less. The all important pari-mutual handle is the governing factor at the Meadowlands and other tracks. It has become common knowledge that everyone at the tracks knows what is going on, but nobody dares do anything about it for fear of alienating the betting public. The great majority of trainers are honestly trying to make a living. They are certainly aware of the few trainers who cross the line, and it is beyond my comprehension why they don’t revolt.

7. What advice would he give to a small breeder who wants to have only one or two mares?

We started with just two mares, Polo Club and Janie Jane. Just don’t give up, do the best that you can and you have to get lucky. The results of breeding two mares or twenty mares are not carved in stone. We could never predict that when we bred our mare Katie’s Lucky Lady to Real Artist that we would get a millionaire filly in Kikikatie.

8. What impact have retention barns had on racing?

The retention barns are a big joke. It shocked me and I’m sure it will shock you to find out that the tattoo numbers of the horses that are brought in to detention are never checked. Anyone can take any horse into the barn. How can we have any kind of security if each trainer or groom is allowed to bring in his own hay and feed for the horse (treated or not?) and the only time the horse is recognized is when he or she is brought into the paddock. Why bother? As far as testing is concerned, my feeling is that every horse should be tested before the race and let the cost come out of the purse or the pari-mutuel monies. More importantly, the results should be made public and the bad results should be acted upon immediately. Everyone should have the right to contest any bad results but should not be allowed to race any horse until the case is finalized. Penalties should fit the violation and be imposed on owners as well.

9. Should horses be retired to the breeding shed after a successful 3-year-old campaign or continue racing?

Each of us has different priorities. Depending upon the horse, the conditions and the potential values, the owners have to decide what is most important, the potential of making money by racing the horse or by standing him as a stallion; or if money is not a factor, then whether the horse is sound enough to compete with aged horses. It certainly is tough for a four year old to compete with five, six and seven year olds and to justify keeping him racing to satisfy the fans.

10. When you are faced with a tough decision how do you weigh the merits of differing opinions?

Having come from a business environment, you have similar situations almost weekly. As an administrator your intention is to understand the other opinions, explain your views and intentions in an effort to reach an acceptable compromise and then finally make a decision that may or may not satisfy all participants, but in the end will be the best for all parties and the company as a whole.