Topville Sebastian has the bloodlines to be a champion. He comes from a long line of winners and looks to carry on the family tradition with a win in his first start Saturday, July 8.
Topville Sebastian, driven by Joey Putnam, is the latest foal by Shaken Not Stirred to win. Sat. July 8 at Harrah’s Hoosier Park. Photo by Dean Gillette
Starting from post four, Topville Sebastian rolled right out to the lead from post four and took the lead by open lengths, knocking down the first quarter in :28.0. His dominance continued to the half in :58.0 and three-quarters in 1:27.1. By this time, he was on top by nine and one-half lengths. Driver Joey Putnam asked the gelding to kick it up a notch and he rallied home in :28.4 for the win by five and one-half lengths in 1:56.0. Ira Who and Daryl Bontrager finished second over Say a Prayer and Dan Shetler for third.
Topville Sebastian paid $8.40 for the win. The Dover Dan freshman is owned by Howard Taylor and William Hartt. Britney Dillon trains the gelding. Merle Yoder is the breeder.
Topville Sebastian is the latest foal from the 100 percent producing brood mare Shaken Not Stirred. She has produced seven winners in seven foals, including Satin Dancer (1:53.0, $739,000) and Predator and Prey (1:53.0, $345,000.) The last three foals have been by Dover Dan, including three-year-old Topville Swift Dan (1:55.2, $40,000) and Late Nite Hawk (1:51.1, $152,000).
In another round of two-year-old trotting action, Brookview El Zorro and Atlee Bender earned a near gate to wire win in 1:57.3. The Swan In A Million gelding, also royally bred, took over after the quarter in :29.0. Middle fractions of 1:00 and 1:29.4 were posted before he picked up the tempo, rallying home in :27.4 for the win in 1:57.3. Swantanamo Bay and Rick Plano finished second over Nohelpneeded and Jay Cross finished third.
Brookview El Zorro was making his second start. He is owned by Erv Miller Stable, Doug Overhiser, Louis Willinger, and Engel Stable. Brookview Farms bred the gelding, who is a half brother to the standout trotter Brookview Bolt. They are from the broodmare Wittys Winner, who is also a 100 percent producer and the dam of Indiana standout Brookview Bolt, who has a mark of 1:52.0 and $545,000 on his card and was also a winner on the card in the $22,000 featured Open Trot.