Putin Online, a lightly-raced son of First Dude, yesterday put a stamp on his ability not to allow long layoffs affect his racing prowess.

    The first vacation for the 4-year-old gelding ended on April 16, when he finished a sharp second for trainer Sarah Nagle in  a one-mile race on the grass at Tampa Bay Downs following a 13-month layoff. 

    Forced to the sidelines for another five months, Putin Online returned at Laurel yesterday and went wire-to-wire under Jorge Ruiz, posting fractions of :22.85, :45.91 and :57.43 en route to a 1 3/4-length victory in 1:03.57 for 5 1/2 furlongs on the turf. He raised his record to 2–1-0 in five starts, earned a check for $15,000 for owner/breeder Big Lick Farm of Morriston, and gave First Dude an even 50 winners for the year.