Gee Gee Whiz in an upset at Cal-Expo
May 1, 2004,from Cal-Expo Raceway
Sacramento, CA — Hi Ho Silverwheels was sent off odds-on at Cal-Expo on Friday night, April 30, but the track was heavy, although rated fast, and the first-born son, later altered, of the great Hi Ho Silverheel’s had to come from last with three-eighths to pace and could not get there for the win.
No solace for his betting backers but his uncoupled in the wagering stablemate, Gee Gee Whiz, pulled off the shocker winning by a half length in 1:55 and paying $45.80 to win. Rick Plano drove the winner while son Luke drove Hi Ho Silverwheels.
Rick left swiftly with Gee Gee Whiz as he always does, and Richard Wojcio, seeing no one else leaving tapped second choice Nightmareonelm and sent him winging for the lead. Plano gave it up readily and got a sweet pocket trip for the courtesy. No one could ever remember Nightmareonelm leaving in any race before this.
The fractions were pedestrian and Iwannawinbetts tipped out of sixth with three-eighths left to pace in the Cal-Bred Preferred event with a purse of $8,000 up for grabs. Hi Ho Silverwheels followed that cover but was still five lengths in arrears at the 1:261 three-quarters.
With three-sixteenths left to race Iwannawinbetts had not reached Gee Gee Whiz and that is when Plano tipped his charge out and attacked. In a dramatic duel Nightmareonelm gave it up late and finished third. Auric Aura, driven by Ed Hensley, rode the pylons throughout and came late to nail down second. Hi Ho Silverwheels barely edged Iwannawinbetts for fourth. The second through fifth horses were lapped on.
Dr. Lee and Arlene Gellerman and Cyril and Lola Green own the winner. Of course, Rick Plano also trains him. He is a five-year-old altered son of Winning Night, out of the Dignatarian mare Gee Gee Girl. This was his third win in 16 starts this year and he has now earned just over $155,000 life.