Owner-breeder Pageler dies at 63

ARCADIA, Calif. – An emotional comeback is ahead for the multiple stakes winner Heck Yeah, the Californiabred 3-year-old whose owner and breeder, Michael Pageler, died last Friday in Fort McDowell, Ariz. He was 63.

Heck Yeah has won 4 of 5 starts for Pageler, co-owners Michael Sigband and Bob Baedeker, and trainer Bob Baffert. The colt was sidelined following his third stakes victory at Santa Anita in April, after which Pageler was diagnosed with lung cancer.

Michael and Connie Pageler were high school sweethearts who celebrated their 44th wedding anniversary in October. Connie Pageler will retain ownership in Heck Yeah and his dam, Lutess.

“That was a promise I made, to keep the horses and stay with Mr. Baffert, Mr. B [Baedeker] and Dr. Mike” Sigband, she said. “I was hoping he would get to see one more race, but I guess God had something else planned.”

Pageler, who lived in Fort McDowell and retired in 2016, is survived by Connie Pageler and their sons, Michael, Nathan, and Jake. A celebration of life is scheduled for Dec. 15 at the Pageler home.

Heck Yeah posted the first major workout of his comeback Tuesday at Santa Anita, a half-mile in 48.20 seconds, the fastest of the day. While a comeback race has not been determined, the $150,000 California Cup Sprint for statebreds on Jan. 26 at Santa Anita could be an option.

Lutess, the 11-year-old claiming-caliber dam of Heck Yeah, was the first horse Pageler owned, in partnership with the Baedeker-operated Live Your Dream Racing Stable. Pageler kept Lutess as a broodmare after she retired from racing.

Lutess has produced two runners sired by Acclamation – the filly Acclaim the Queen and Heck Yeah. Heck Yeah has won the California Cup Turf Sprint, California Cup Derby, and Echo Eddie Stakes.

Perhaps the best is still to come. Lutess is carrying a filly sired by Breeders’ Cup Classic and Travers winner Arrogate. She is expected to foal in February.

“We’re hoping this little filly is going to be a keeper,” Connie Pageler said.