Odds On Racing - Harness Racing

Gallo Blue Chip Retires At The Big M

May 28, 2005

Gallo Blue Chip, the richest pacer of all time, will be officially retired on Saturday, June 4 at the Meadowlands. The eight-year-old gelding last raced on March 12, 2005 and has been retired to trainer Mark Ford's farm in Goshen, New York.

"People have told me often that he is a once in a lifetime horse," said Ford. "I thank God that he was sent to me. So much of him coming to us [Ford and owner Martin Scharf] was fate."

Gallo Blue Chip retires with a record of 53 wins, 19 seconds and nine thirds from 133 starts and earnings of $4,260,959, mostly for Martin Scharf of Lawrence, New York, who acquired him on August 8, 1999. His last win was in a condition pace, the 13th race on February 26, 2005 at the Meadowlands. At three, Gallo Blue Chip won the Meadowlands Pace, North America Cup and Breeders Crown, setting a single season's earning record of $2.3 million. In addition to winning the $1.1 million Meadowlands Pace in 2000, Gallo Blue Chip's other career highlights included victories in the $300,000 Graduate Final in 2001 and the $121,000 Presidential Final in 2003.

"I appreciate what Gallo Blue Chip did now more than I ever did before," said Ford. "Gallo Blue Chip was not only the highlight of my racing career, but the highlight of my life."