The first leg of the Mildred Williams International Driving Series finals Saturday at Colonial Downs featured two divisions won by a pair of Norwegian drivers now residing
in Ontario.
In the first division, Ann Karin Larsen dominated the field by open lengths in a 1:53.1 front-end victory with the Doug Parker-trained Jet Express. Closing quickly up the rail from sixth in deep stretch was Smile Is Near with Doreen Dailey. Payton Place, driven by Anita Valstad, hung on for third.
The second division featured a patient steer by Anita Valstad, who sat fourth for most of the mile with Briarwood Rex, trained by Toby Carver, and went three-wide entering the stretch past tiring horses to open a three and a quarter length lead and win in a career-best 1:52.2. Stacy Chiodo, teaming Covergirlpattyann, moved off the rail to collar Kelly Case's fading leader Canaco Piment, who stayed for third.
Finals Standings - First Leg
Rank - Driver - Points
1 - Anita Valstad - 19
2 - Ann Karin Larsen - 17
3 - Kelly Case - 11
3 - Stacy Chiodo - 11
5 - Doreen Dailey - 9
6 - Elisabeth Jansen - 7
6 - Megan Fortna - 7
8 - Tammy MacKay - 3
Anita Valstad is the leader after the first leg. The second and third legs of the finals are scheduled for Sunday at Harrah's Chester and Harrington Raceway.
(With files from Mildred Williams International Driving Series)