The 36-year-old triumphed on board Carlchen W after a 12-rider jump-off at Brave Horse Show Park.

He went double clear in Ohio and went fastest second time around by clocking 44.26sec.

It was a victory of nearly two seconds over Margie Goldstein-Engle, riding Discas, who ended in 46.20.

Six riders in the jump-off went clear for the second time with Nicole Simpson and Akuna Mattata finishing third in 46.91.

Granato and Carlchen W have now won two events together after triumphing in Wellington in Florida last season.

"I know I have a quick horse," Granato said.

"I wanted to get a good pace started early, so I tried to get a big open canter and from there to stay on the pace. 

"I tried to stay focused and keep focused on me and the plan, rather than getting too anxious and getting ahead of ourselves.

"We shifted gears from Wellington.

"We spent the winter focused on just myself and the horse, and our consistency, and we had a super winter."

All of the top eight riders were American with Beezie Madden ending fourth with Garant in a time of 48.47.

She continues to lead the East Coast standings of the North American League with 48 points.

Granato is now second in the West Coast on 25, behind compatriot Karl Cook, yesterday's winner in Sacramento, who has 37.

Riders around the world are trying to gain enough points to qualify for the World Cup Final in Las Vegas in April.