by Greg Blanchard. WEG Media

Campbellville, ON — World Away and Artists Rally posted mild upsets in Saturday’s (May 2) second leg of The Diplomat Pacing Series for 3-year-old colts and geldings at Mohawk Racetrack.

New Image Media photo

World Away, a half brother to Mister Big, won his Diplomat Series split in 1:53.

World Away used front end tactics to capture the first C$25,000 split for driver Steve Condren. The pair blasted to command from post six and led the field through fractions of :27, :56.1 and 1:24.4 before facing a mild challenge from favorite My Gift To You.

In the stretch, the son of Western Terror-Worlds Sweetheart widened his advantage enough that pocket-sitting Fire On The Water, who had prevailed in the opening leg, was able to come to the outside to challenge. The wire came up just in time for World Away who held off Fire On The Water by a nose for the 1:53 tally. My Gift To You was able to salvage the show spot.

World Away, who is a half brother to world champion Mister Big, broke his maiden with the victory for trainer Carl Jamieson who co-owns along with Ken Henwood.

In the second contest, Artists Rally posted an off-the-pace victory for driver Rick Zeron in 1:52.2.

The son of Real Artist-Spunky Gal got away fourth in the early going and watched as Star Party, Chief Of The Beach and Stinger Blue Chip exchanged the lead three times through an opening half in :56.3. It was Stinger Blue Chip who led the field past the third station in 1:23.4, but he could not dispose of the challengers in behind who were beginning to close the gap.

As the field turned for home, Chief Of The Beach popped out from the pocket and took a brief lead. However, he began to drift wide and a closing Artists Rally took advantage to score by a length with Chief Of The Beach holding second and Star Party holding the show spot.

It was the sixth win in 12 tries this season for Artists Rally who is trained by Jeff Gillis for owner Martin Scharf. The lion’s share of the purse boosted his earnings to just over C$125,000 lifetime.

The C$78,000 final of The Diplomat Pacing Series will go postward next Saturday night (May 9) from Mohawk.