Delaware County Fair: Warrawee Michelle triumphant in Miss Versatility Series final

Warrawee Michelle picked up her first win of 2026 in Thursday's Grade 3 $132,500 Miss Versatility Series final for older trotting mares at the Delaware (Ohio) County Fair.

With Dexter Dunn in the bike for trainer Ake Svanstedt, Warrawee Michelle watched as even-money favorite Walspea (Yannick Gingras) cut fractions of 28 1/5 and 56 4/5, then tipped to the outside on the third turn. Warrawee Michelle advanced to get side-by-side with Walspea at the 1:24 1/5 three-quarters, and they continued to battle around the final bend.

In the lane Warawee Michelle wouldn't go away as Walspea kept digging in to try and fight her off, but Warrawee Michelle was able to wear down the pace-setter late, prevailing by half a length in 1:52 3/5. Miracle Maven (Ronnie Wrenn Jr.) checked in third, followed by Woman Of Passion (Scott Zeron).

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"I sure was rooting. I figured we had a shot. Dexter is the top driver, and this horse woke up two weeks ago," said winning co-owner Jeff Gural. "It was her first good effort of the year. It was an afterthought really to race her, but they didn't have enough horses, so they called Ake, and he said okay send her out. He knows we love the racing here. Thirty-five years ago my friend Dave (Stolz) and I, we won the Jugette here, so it only took us another 35 years to get in the winner's circle.

"The groom said 'don't worry, she's good around the turns.' You always worry with trotters for the first time on a small track, but this is a good track."

A 5-year-old daughter of Walner bred by Warrawee Farm, Warrawee Michelle is owned by Ake Svanstedt Inc., Santandrea Inc. and Young Guns. She has a summary of 11-9-6 from 38 starts, has pocketed $1,675,994 and paid $4.60 to win as the 6-5 second choice.