Despite pulling off an impressive 18-1 shocker in round two of the Ideal Society Series last week at Balmoral Park, Castin was once again overlooked in the wagering in Maywood Park $9,000 finale last night. The altered four-year-old made his doubters pay as he rallied in the final strides to post a neck decision in 1:56.4.

After leaving from Post 5, Castin was kept well off the hot early pace that was being set by preliminary victors Ram It In (driven by Sam Widger) and Dylan Rocks (Rick Dane, Jr.). Driver Dean Magee was content to pace along in sixth with Castin, as the top two battled through an opening quarter in :27.1.

Remaining in sixth but drawing a bit closer to the pace setters, Castin was only six lengths behind the top pair as they rolled through a half-mile in a bruising :56.3.

With live outer flow starting to develop along the final backside trip, Magee tipped the son of Allamerican Ingot three wide, while Dylan Rocks and a first-over Gordos Z Tam (Mike Oosting) slugged it out as the field reached the three-quarter-mile station in 1:26.2.

Chewing up ground on the far outside of horses, Castin quickly started to reel in the group of tiring horses. Just three lengths behind the top pair as the field turned for home, a fit and fresh Castin collared the embattled leaders in the final strides to record his second win in eight starts this year. Ram It In took advantage of a perfect ground-saving trip to finish second, while Gordos Z Tam was a hard-fought third.

Much to the delight of his backers, Castin, a homebred gelding, returned a handsome win mutuel of $46.40 while running his career earnings up to $26,697 for owner-trainer Dennis Brightwell.

(Maywood)