Horse racing fixture stood out as talented handicapper

Siegel had a huge influence on the Southland racing scene for 50 years.

- BY JOHN CHERWA

SANTA ANITA PARK 'NOBODY KNEW HORSES BETTER THAN HIM' Jeff Siegel was a well-respected horse racing broadcaster and handicapper whose picks were featured in Southern California newspapers, including The Times.

Jeff Siegel, a major player on the Southern California horse racing scene for more than half a century, died at his home in Duarte on Saturday after an extended battle with cancer. He was 74.

There are few roles in horse racing, besides trainer or jockey, that Siegel didn’t perform since he first got a job in the publicity department at Hollywood Park in 1974.

Siegel's last job in racing was both serving as a host on XBTV, a service, owned by The Stronach Group, that specializes in horse workout videos. He was also the morning-line maker for both Santa Anita and Del Mar. He continued doing the job until his health no longer allowed it earlier this year.

But what made Siegel a must-know personality in racing was his ability as a handicapper, Andy Beyer, the legendary Washington Post handicapper and namesake to Beyer speed figures, called Siegel the “World’s Greatest Handicapper” in his 1993 book “Beyer on Speed.” Siegel gave Beyer six horses to bet on a day’s card of Southern California racing. All six won, according to Beyer.