The Parlins remember Gee Gee Whiz

Gee Gee Whiz, a popular performer here at Cal Expo in his racing days, passed away on February 15, just shy of celebrating his 20^thbirthday.

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.

Mark Ratzky