by Mark Ratzky, publicity, Cal Expo Harness

Sacramento, CA — 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 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,” Smith 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 every day 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 the starter calls for the pacers.

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.