On Sunday (Sept. 16), 12-year-old veteran pacer Dial Or Nodial p,5,1:48.3f ($1,803,017) was humanely put to rest at the New Bolton Center at the University of Pennsylvania after fracturing his right hind leg in the 14th race at Harrah’s Philadelphia.

A winner of $1.8 million, the gelded son of Western Ideal-Smart Dialing was bred, raised and campaigned by Jules Siegel and his wife Arlene. Dial Or Nodial was a New Jersey Sire Stakes champion at ages two and three, and defeated Foiled Again, Bettor Sweet, Won The West and Vintage Master as a four-year-old in the $144,100 Allerage Farms Open Pace at the Red Mile in 2010.

“Dial Or Nodial was a real hero,” Siegel said. “He loved to race and it’s fitting that he ended his career doing what he loved.”

Conditioned by Jim Campbell and Chris Freck, Dial Or Nodial was a fierce competitor on and off the track, as the gelding overcame a severe blood bruise in his foot after a fifth-place finish in the 2009 North America Cup, which placed his life in danger. In 2011, Dial Or Nodial beat the odds after a bout of colitis and again was given a 50-50 chance to survive. The gelding also battled severe allergies since he was a freshman that had to be managed with great care.

With a resume of 181-42-35-27 and a lifetime mark of 1:48.3f established at age five, Dial Or Nodial acquired a significant number of fans during his career. He will be sorely missed by his followers and his connections.

Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the connections of Dial Or Nodial.

(USTA)