Four-year-old trotter Olin won his first race in two years on Sunday’s afternoon card

at Scioto Downs.

Driven by Sandy Beatty, Olin collared the odds-on favourite Cantabourway in deep stretch for a three-quarter length victory. The time was 2:01.

The winner is owned by Virginia Powell of Urbana, Ohio and is trained by Ron Steck.

Cantabourway, a royally-bred son of Cantab Hall-Norway But My Way, was sent away as the favourite since he had post one and the track’s top driver in Dan Noble. Noble wasted no time in seizing control as Cantabourway shot to the front and passed the first quarter in :28.4. Lima Buccaneer trailed in the two-hole while Olin trotted in third place.

When Noble let the pace slacken during a third quarter in :30.4, Beatty had Olin on the move on the outside and Cantabourway was forced to respond. The two trotters dueled around the final turn with the favourite holding off the challenger. Olin refused to quit, however, and wore down a tiring Cantabourway in deep stretch.

As a two-year-old in 2009, Olin won twice in 14 starts and banked $14,913, but missed the entire 2010 season. This year he finished third in his first start at the Croton Fair and then third last week at Scioto.

Cantabourway, who finished second, is still a maiden after 23 career starts. Wildfire Victory, sent off at odds of 33-1, got up for third.

(Scioto Downs)