By Mark Ratzky, publicity – Cal Expo Harness
Silver
Spir comes into this week’s action having rattled off back-to-back victories
for owner Maureen Pittaro and trainer Gretchen Smith, equaling his lifetime
mark of 1:54 1/5 on both occasions.
The
5-year-old Michigan-bred son of Cheyenne Rei was handled by Tim Maier in the
first of those scores, with Gretchen’s son Sean Smithpeters handling the lines
in the most recent outing.
“I
can’t say enough nice things to say about this horse,” Gretchen related. “He is
such a pleasure to have in the barn. He is very quiet for a stud and he takes
very good care of himself. He takes his morning nap everyday as well as one in
the afternoon. He doesn't get in much of a hurry jogging either.
“I’m
certain that is the reason for his soundness. He only puts out an effort when
duty calls. Even right after a race he just moseys back down to the paddock to
be hooked back to the jog cart for his return to the barn area.”
According
to Smith, Silver Spir is the kind of horse that makes a very difficult job much
easier. “He is every trainer and owners’ dream because what you see from him on
the track is all him. No expensive vet bills, no fancy rigging, he isn't even a
picky eater. How can anyone ask for any more than that? He’s definitely a
special kind of horse.”
Silver
Spir will step up in class for Saturday night’s Open Pace with Smithpeters once
again doing the honors. Don’t let those easy-going ways around the barn fool
you, he’s all business when it’s starter call for the pacers.
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NEXT WEEK WILL FIND RACING
ON SATURDAY, MAY 10, WITH THAT PROGRAM BRINGING DOWN THE CURTAIN ON THE
WINTER/SPRING WATCH AND WAGER LLC MEETING.
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Open Pace
entices Shax, Smith pair
Shax,
a winner of two straight for trainer Tim Brown; and the sharp Gretchen
Smith-trained pair of I’m An Athlete and Silver Spir get the marquee treatment
in Saturday evening’s $5,000 Open Pace.
Shax
races for Kc C Carvalho and David Siegel will once again handle the 6-year-old
Florida-bred son of Red River Hanover. He got the job done two weeks ago under
Open 3 conditions stalking the pace to the lane and then finding a path along
the cones to motor through for the score.
Racing
at the Open 2 level last week while racing over a sloppy track, Shax sat last
in the early stages, rallied second-over to the stretch and hung a neck
decision on Haggin Oaks, who was making the final start of her career.
I’m
An Athlete is a 4-year-old son of Art Major who carries the banner of Ronald
Retting-Zucchi and will have the services of Tim Maier. The Smith trainee is
looking for his fourth trip to the charmed enclosure from his last seven trips
to the post.
His
most recent decision came on April 11 in the Open 3 with Pat Galbraith at the
controls, with his 1:53 2/5 clocking not only being the night’s fastest but a
new lifetime standard. He was second to One And Only at next asking and third
as the 4-5 choice behind Shax at most recent asking.
Silver Spir gives the Gretchen Smith barn two solid
looks at the outcome. He has captured his last two starts in sharp style, doing
the track-and-attack to perfection on both occasions with identical 1:54 1/5
final clockings. Sean Smithpters has the return assignment.
Rounding out the field are A
Real Miracle, who leaves from the cozy rail slot with Chip Lackey giving
directions; and Laissez Moi Passer with Williams Hernandez in the bike. First
post is 6:15 p.m.
