The first leg of The Mildred Williams International Driving Series Championship finals saw Kelly Case prevail aboard Firm Woody at Harrah's Chester on Wednesday night.

The post time favourite powered off the gate with Imperious (Anne-Marie Turenne), but settled in second after an opening panel of :28. Firm Woody rode the pocket through panels of :58 and 1:27 before sprinting home in :28.2 for the win in 1:55.3.

Longshot Imperious stayed for second and Mr Genius (Gro Formia) finished third.

The seven-year-old son of Firm Belief has scored 26 wins in his career and earned $226,510 for owner and trainer Shaun Vallee.

Case, a resident of Pompano Beach, Florida, picked up her eighth win of the year. In her career, she has made a total of 763 trips to the winner's circle.

The second and third legs of the finals will both be contested tomorrow at Freehold Raceway and Dover Downs.