by Leonard Pecker

Harrington, DE — The final leg of the 2009 Mildred Williams International Driving Series Final produced an exciting and unpredictable finish on Sunday evening (Oct. 4) at Harrington Raceway. The race resulted in a maiden win for a driver and a tie for the championship.

Fire And Ice (Megan Fortna) nipped Mcguigan N in the finale of the Mildred Williams series.

The race itself was won in a tight photo by Megan Fortna, who scored her first lifetime victory with the James Atkinson trainee Fire And Ice in 1:59.1, just beating Mcguigan N driven by Doreen Dailey. Anita Valstad handled the reins on And Whos Next A who finished a distant third. This was Fortna’s 31st start in a pari-mutuel race.

Kelly Case of Florida and Anita Valstad, originally from Norway, now living in Toronto, finished in a tie for the most points in the finals. The finals were conducted as a series of five races held at Colonial Downs, Harrah’s Chester and Harrington Raceway.

Final Standings

1. Kelly Case — 33 points
1. Anita Valstad — 33

3. Stacy Chiodo — 29
4. Megan Fortna — 28
5. Doreen Dailey — 26
6. Ann Karin Larsen — 24
7. Elisabeth Jansen — 23
8. Tammy MacKay — 8

Fotowon photos

The Mildred Williams Series drivers gathered in the Harrington winner’s circle.

Earlier in the day, a patient pocket trip for Pesto Hanover proved promising in the first leg of the Mildred Williams International Driving Series final held at Harrah’s Chester Casino and Racetrack, propelling Stacy Chiodo to a brief lead in the standings.

The 32-year-old reinswoman from Jackson, N.J. sat off dueling leaders Blowout Hanover and Dees Last Man, angling off the pegs on the far turn and drawing clear late to win in 1:53.4. Trade Boss (Kelly Case) rallied for second, and Dees Last Man (Elisabeth Jansen) held third.

Chiodo’s lead was short-lived, though, as Kelly Case took the second race with Move It Move It in a lifetime best 1:56.4 over Mignon (Elisabeth Jansen) and The Mad Duke (Anita Valstad). The win propelled the 47-year-old Florida resident to the lead in the standings with 31 points, over Anita Valstad with 27.