from the Meadowlands Publicity Department

East Rutherford, NJ — Fancy pedigrees will not explain Gallo Blue Chip, the 2-1 morning line favorite to win the $114,600 Presidential Final, the fifth race on Saturday night at the Meadowlands.

The richest pacer of all time with $4,234,469, the seven-year-old Magical Mike gelding is bidding to become only the second horse (along with Red Bow Tie) to win the Presidential in back-to-back years. He comes into the Presidential Final with a four race winning streak, including a pair of impressive sub-1:51 miles on sub-freezing nights in the series prelims.

It is hard to know what makes Gallo so gallant but the drivers that have sat behind him and watched him compete in 115 races know there is something great in the heart of this pacer.

“He’s acting like a three-year-old right now,” said Daniel Dube, Gallo’s current and most consistent partner in the sulky. “It makes no difference how you race him — covered up, on the lead, first over — no matter. He’s sound, and he wants to go. This week I have no strategy with him going into the final. The way he’s been lately, it gives me a lot of confidence that he can win this.”

Gallo Blue Chip, owned by Martin Scharf of Lawrence, New York since early August of 1999, has 51 wins, 18 seconds and nine thirds over his 115 race career.

“The first thing that comes to mind is what an ultimate warrior he is,” said Hall of Famer John Campbell, currently sidelined with an elbow injury. “To still be racing at this level is amazing. He’s not a horse with lightning speed, but he never gives up and keeps coming at you. He looks like the horse they have to beat in the final.”

“I drove Gallo six times — won four and two seconds,” recalled Ted Wing. “As a three-year-old, I won three New York Sires Stakes with him, won the elimination for the Hempt and just got beat a nose in the final. This past year, I drove him in the New Hampshire Sweepstakes. He wasn’t on top of his game but was still second.”

“When he’s good like right now, he’s outrageous, incredible,” Wing noted. “The job that (trainer) Mark Ford has done with him is sensational. He knows when to take a break with him, when to go with him, when to start him up again. He just knows best how to deal with him. Gallo Blue Chip is a moody horse. He’ll do exactly what he wants to do.”

“I trained him a lot for Mark when he was three,” recalled Bill O’Donnell. “He’s like a train — big, strong and non-stop. He’s not the quickest horse for a piece but more of a grind you down type. He’s like a big wrestler in the ring. He’ll pulverize you in the end. He has a great big stride to him. He’s mean enough to be a good horse, too. Believe me, he’s no pussycat. I drove him some up here (Ontario) last year.

“Mark Ford doesn’t seem to get much of the credit for his success,” O’Donnell added. “He really deserves it though. It’s an incredible job that he’s done, keeping him going, especially at this level.”

“I drove him a couple of times,” said Jim Morrill, Jr. “He’s a game horse, for sure. He’s tough and has a lot of heart.”

“When I drove him he wasn’t at his best, not on top of his game,” said Jack Moiseyev. “What a game horse though. I’ve raced against him enough to know that. He just keeps coming. You can never count him out.”

Yannick Gingras drove Gallo Blue Chip at Yonkers twice.

“Two times I drove him, first and second, and it took a track record to beat me,” Gingras said. “Happy Together N just got up. Gallo Blue Chip is a great horse. Every time you ask him, he gives you more. He’s the best horse I’ve driven by far.”

“I’ve never driven him, but was supposed to in the North America Cup,” said Hall of Famer Mike Lachance. “Mark Ford called me during the week and asked me to drive. I don’t know what happened, but Danny Dube got the drive and took off. Gallo Blue Chip is a one in a million horse. No, make that one in five million.”

The field for the $114,600 Presidential Final (with driver, trainer and morning line) in post position order: Royal Mattjesty, Jack Moiseyev, Nat Varty, 8-1; Jugular, Mike Lachance, Noel Daley, 4-1; Gallo Blue Chip, Daniel Dube, Mark Ford, 2-1; Rair Earth, David Miller, Mike Harder, 7-2; Cheyenne Rei, Brian Sears, Robbie Siegelman, 5-1; Image Of Dawn, Pat Lachance, Pat Lachance, 15-1; Life Sizzles, Jim Morrill, Jr., Jeff Smith, 10-1; Life Source, Cat Manzi, Richard Banca, 8-1; Camcracker, George Brennan, Mark Harder, 7-2; and E Dee’s Cam, Ron Pierce, Noel Daley, 4-1.

All superfecta card on Saturday at The Meadowlands

All 13 races on Saturday night at the Meadowlands will offer superfecta wagering.

This will be the first of two all superfecta programs this winter. The other is scheduled for Winter Festival night, February 21. Usually there are two superfectas each night — the fourth and last races.

The superfecta, which has a low 15 percent takeout, requires the successful selection of the first four in the official order of finish.

The Saturday night Pick 4, which spans races six through nine, will feature a $75,000 guaranteed pool.