Was humanely put down at the age of 12 after fracturing his right hind leg in the 14th race at Chester. Saw the race and he looked like he was struggling a bit on the turn and made a break and pulled up. Always fear the worst when the oldtimers dont finish and there was the news today. He was a fave of mine. Following him since the NJ Sire Stakes days at the Big M and he went some incredibly fast miles in the Pocono and Chester Opens for a few years and had some minor success in the FFA ranks winning the Allerage in 2010 and finishing 3rd a year later. True definition of war horse he was still competing not just going through the motions at 12 winning just a few weeks back. But you have to wonder should they have quit with him. How much is too much. He already came through 2 life threatening bouts earlier in his career. $1.77 million in earnings, they don't make em like him anymore. He was racing against the likes of Well Said, Vintage Master, Mister Big, Artistic Fella, Golden Receiver, We Will See
http://www.harnessracing.com/news/millionairepacerdialornodialdiesat12.htmlOn Sunday, Sept. 16, the 12-year-old veteran pacer Dial Or Nodial 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 Harrahs Philadelphia.
A winner of $1.77 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 Sires Stakes champion at ages 2 and 3, and defeated Foiled Again, Bettor Sweet, Won The West and Vintage Master as a 4-year-old in the $144,100 Allerage Farms Open Pace at Red Mile in 2010.
"Dial Or Nodial was a real hero," Siegel said. "He loved to race and its 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 5, Dial Or Nodial acquired a significant number of fans during his career. He will be sorely missed by his followers and his connections. (USTA)
