By Mark Ratzky, publicity – Cal Expo Harness
Gee Gee Whiz, a popular
performer here at Cal Expo in his racing days, passed away on February 15, just
shy of celebrating his 20th birthday.
A California-bred son of
Winning Night out of the Dignitarian mare Gee Gee Girl, Gee Gee Whiz won 38 of
his 243 starts, banked $203,000 and had a 1:54 1/5 career standard.
While Larry and Carol Parlin
never raced Gee Gee Whiz, they were big fans of the pacer and bought him upon
his retirement in 2008. He lived in the same barn at the Parlin home in Acampo
until his death last month.
“He was an awesome horse,”
related Carol Parlin. “He was quiet, neat and a joy to have around.”
Carol cares for seven to
eight retired performers, and explained that Gee Gee Whiz is the only horse she
has taken care of post-racing who didn’t carry the Parlin banner on the track.
As far as the favorites who
have raced for them, Carol said Hard Rocket Café would head the list and the
mare Rag Doll, who is going to the breeding shed this year, also ranks as one with
a special place in their hearts.
Silverlode has her
sights on Open Trot
Silverlode, fresh from
setting a North American record in winning last week’s Joe Lighthill Trot at a
mile and a half, looks to keep the momentum going in Saturday night’s featured
Open Trot at Cal Expo.
Watch and Wager LLC will
present 11 races with a first post of 6:10 p.m. and the main event will go as
the third contest on the evening.
Silverlode is coming off a
dominating victory in the Lighthill, which was contested at a mile and a half.
The 10-year-old British Sterling mare made what proved to be the winning move
to the lead by the half and took complete control of things from that point
with Steve Wiseman at the helm.
The final clocking of 2:57
2/5 shaved a tick off the North American record for the distance over a mile
track, with the previous mark shared by three different trotters.
The victory pushed
Silverlode’s lifetime bankroll to $237,000 for Medinah Racing and
co-owner/trainer Kathie Plested and she sports a 1:54 3/5 career standard that
was set last season.
Silverhill Volo completed the
exacta in the Lighthill while being dispatched as the 6-5 favorite that
evening. The 8-year-old son of Muscle Hill was coming off back-to-back
decisions at the top rung for his owner/driver/trainer Chip Lackey, but was no
match for Silverlode in that last clash at the elongated distance.
Its a Horse had three
straight Open victories between January 4 and 18, using his strong closing kick
to get the job done on each occasion and overcame the demanding No. 10 slot to
prevail in the last of those scores. The long-fused performer races for Ray
Alan Miller with Marco Rios the conditioner and Gerry Longo in his usual spot
in the sulky.
