Trainer Mark Harder has told Trot Insider that Meadowlands Pace elimination winner Hypnotic Blue Chip has been fighting a temperature this week

, but the conditioner feels that after today the colt has a better than fifty/fifty chance of competing in the classic $1 million event.

"He definitely gave us a little scare this week," Harder told Trot Insider. "He came up with a high temperature on Tuesday and we've been doing all that we can to resolve that since."

Harder explained that the Art Major colt's white blood cell count was high, but it is now under control. "He had a good day today, and that makes me think that he has a better than fifty/fifty chance of racing on Saturday," he said.

Hypnotic Blue Chip was sent off as the favourite last weekend in his Pace elim. Driver Tim Tetrick gave the colt a second-over trip and the duo went on to post a one and a quarter-length victory in 1:49.2.

To view a full recap of the Meadowlands Pace elims, click here.