         //trace("grid_gridMouseDownHandler: (rowIndex, columnIndex) = (" + rowIndex + "," + columnIndex + ")");
         
         // item editor handling
-        var r:IGridItemRenderer = event.itemRenderer as IGridItemRenderer;
+        var r:IGridItemRenderer = event.itemRenderer;
         
         lastItemDown = null;
         

        
        // this happens if the renderer is removed asynchronously ususally with FDS
        if (!itemEditorInstance)
            return true;
        
        inEndEdit = true;
        

    /**
     *  @private
     * 
     */
    private function grid_gridMouseDownHandler(event:GridEvent):void
    {
