by Leonard Pecker for the Mildred Williams series

Two divisions of the first leg of the Mildred Williams finals held Saturday at Colonial Downs were won by two Norwegian drivers now residing in Ontario.

In the first division, Ann Karin Larsen dominated the field by open lengths in a wire to wire victory with Jet Express. Closing quickly up the rail from sixth in deep stretch was Smile Is Near with Doreen Dailey to finish second. 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 and went three-wide entering the stretch past tiring horses to open a three length lead and win in 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

1) Anita Valstad 19 points
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

The Second and Third Legs of the Finals will go Sunday at Chester and Harrington.