Stinger Blue Chip rallied from well off the pace to post a shocking upset in the $73,500 The Diplomat Pacing Series final Saturday night at Mohawk Racetrack
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The win ticket return of $193.40 was a record for The Diplomat, bettering the previous win high of $181.30 recorded by Whole Lotta Class who won the event in 2001 when it was known as The Mohawk Pacing Series.
The three-year-old gelded son of Art Major - Shady Barbie was catch-driven on Saturday night by Jason Brewer who took him back to ninth in the field of 10 and watched as World Away (Steve Condren) took over command from a post-10 start through a first panel of :27.3.
Fire On The Water (Paul MacDonell) then made a move to command in the second quarter and
led the field past the half in :55.4. Bay Of Sharks (Mario Baillargeon) then started a move in the third quarter and was up to pressure the pacesetter through three panels in 1:24.2.
At that point, Stinger Blue Chip had worked his way up to seventh and just over six lengths back of the leader who began to tire. Meanwhile Artists Rally (Rick Zeron) kicked off cover and took a deep stretch lead with Chief Of The Beach (Jody Jamieson) and Stinger Blue Chip closing hard.
In the end, Stinger Blue Chip was able to reach up in the final strides to score by a length over Artists Rally who held the place spot. Chief Of The Beach settled for the show spot.
It was the second lifetime win in just nine starts for Stinger Blue Chip who is trained by Casie Coleman for owner Mac Nichol of Burlington, Ontario. The winner’s share of the purse vaulted him over $50,000 in earnings.
Stinger Blue Chip is eligible to the Pepsi North America Cup, which has eliminations slated for June 20 at Mohawk. He is ranked at odds of 100-1 in Trot Magazine’s 2009 Pepsi North America Cup Spring Book.
To view Saturday’s results, click here.
(With files from WEG)