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Heyden's great moments in Presidential races

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January 11, 2008

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The 2008 Presidential Series for older pacers kicks off Saturday night at the Meadowlands and ace statistician Bob Heyden has come up with his top-10 list of all-time exciting Presidential finishes:

Number 10....Senor Skipper--a one time track record holder kicks off the series with a win for Buddy Gilmour and trainer Ernie Spruce.

Number 9....April's Skipper becomes the first--and ONLY--female to win this series. Interesting to note--Before this series became known as the 'Presidential" in 1978, the year prior there were races named "The Presidential" that Tarport Hap swept. But she doesn't get the credit because it wasn't officially the Presidential SERIES until 1978.

Number 8....In 1979, Lew Williams becomes the first driver to win back-to-back as he wins with Pats Gypsy on the heels of his win with April's Skipper.

Number 7....Gallo Blue Chip--in 2003--becomes the first and only pacer to surge past $4 million-and he did it in style by edging by E Dees Cam in the last step to take the Presidential.

Number 6....Cambest--in 1993--sets a stakes record of 1:51.2 in capturing the Presidential. Sidenote--this was Walter Case Jr.'s final Meadowlands drive.

Number 5....Red Bow Tie becomes the first horse to win the Presidential back-to-back in 1999.

Number 4....Banker Blue Chip goes from last to first in 1988 to take the Presidential--in a shortened field. John Campbell's first win in this series. Stablemate Dragons Lair--for Joe Holloway--won a preliminary leg but a minor injury prevented him from making the final.

Number 3....Rusty Abbot wins the 1982 Presidential over Genghis Khan. This runner-up finish would come back to haunt Genghis Khan--who won 16 times for the meet and set an earnings record for an aged pacer. His 16 wins was equaled two years later by Green With Envy but never touched since.

Number 2....Covert Action wins for Ray Schnittker from post 10 and lights up the board to an all-time Presidential-best $118.

Number 1....Hop Sing--in 2006--overcomes interference at the five-eighths and roars home to win in 1:48.3--a new stakes record-scoring over pacesetting Rare Jewel. (Meadowlands)

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