Gallo Blue Chip, who has already won the $1,000,000 North America Cup and $1,250,000 Meadowlands Pace, scored an overpowering victory in Saturday's $319,164 Art Rooney Memorial at Yonkers Raceway. The 3-year-old gelding scored his fifth victory in a row from the No. 8 outside post in 1:52.4.

Life's Not Fair was equally impressive with a 1:50.4 triumph in Balmoral's $205,000 American-National. The 3-year-old Life Sign colt had won his A-M elimination last week in 1:49.4.

Before the 2000 season began neither of these Jug contenders was ranked among the Top 20 three-year-olds in the U.S. Trotting Association's Experimental Ratings. Gallo Blue Chip was rated 21st and Life's Not Fair wasn't listed among the top 30 colts and fillies.

Gallo Blue Chip just keeps getting better. Prior to his victory in The Meadowlands Pace, trainer Mark Ford said of the son of Magical Mike, "I'm not sure if he's such a standout or are the other three-year-olds just not so good." Gallo Blue Chip hiked his 2000 bankroll to $1,453,634 with his victory in the Rooney.

Ford also hopes to race Gallo Blue Chip in the Jug. "If he's still competitive we'll be there with bells on."

Life's Not Fair was even more of a longshot this season. At two, he won 4 of 14 starts for owner-trainer Jack Darling. He's won three straight and his victory in the American-National came over Jug hopefuls Image Of Jate and I Scoot Hanover.

In other results featuring Jug candidates Astreos won a $30,000 3YO Open Pace in 1:49.3 Saturday at The Meadowlands. The Scott Pelling-trained colt won by four lengths over The Firepan and Arcplace.

Also, at The Meadowlands in a qualifier, Ain't No Stopn Him defeated Tyberwood by 1 1/2 lengths in 1:51.3. Trainer Gary Machiz replaced Richard Silverman in the sulky with Mike Lachance.

At Scioto Downs in the $13,000 Invitational Handicap K F Pro Son finished a close second to older pacers in 1:51.4. K F Pro Sam had won five of his last six against three-year-olds.