by Emily Gaskin, for Hoosier Park Racing and Casino

Anderson, IN — Master Of Law pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the season as he was able to wear down the overwhelmingly favored Sebastian K late in the stretch to win the $238,500 Centaur Trotting Classic at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino on Saturday (Sept. 20). Driven by trainer Jimmy Takter, Master Of Law was able to close off cover to win at 21-1 in 1:54.2 over a track rated good.

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Master Of Law was a 1:54.2 winner in the Centaur Trotting Classic.

Sebastian K and driver/trainer Ake Svenstadt left alertly from post six but would have to work for position as Creatine and Trace Tetrick left aggressively to get the first call around the opening turn in :27. Their lead would be short lived as Sebastian K pressed on to the lead and reached the front just before the half-mile time in :55.4. With a target on his back, Sebastian K would once again have to work for position as the outer flow quickly began to form.

Verlin Yoder had Natural Herbie out and firing down the backside and was forcing the issue first-over approaching the final turn with Master Of Law in tow. As the field began to tighten, Sebastian K still called the shots around the three-quarter clocking in 1:24.4 but the taxing trip began to take its toll.

Sebastian K was able to fend off Natural Herbie but Master Of Law loomed large in the background. Tipping three-wide late in the lane, Master Of Law surged past his rivals and coasted to the wire to finish two lengths in front of Creatine. Natural Herbie held on gamely to round out the trifecta while Sebastian K faded late in the stretch to finish seventh. Dismissed at the betting windows, Master Of Law returned $44.00 for the victory.

“We got away decent, obviously the track was a little sticky but everything worked out in my favor,” Takter noted in the winner’s circle. “The track favored my horse a little more versus my other horse in the field (Uncle Peter) who was not shod for this track. This is a nice horse. He’s developing all the time and he can play with these guys.”

Master Of Law, who has now won three of six seasonal outings, is owned by Lindy Racing Stable, Brittany Farms, Adam Victor & Son, and Christina Takter. The gelded son of Deweycheatumnhowe-Posses The Magic has now won nine of 17 lifetime outings and pushed his career bankroll to $331,753.

“My owners wanted me to drive this horse,” Takter continued. “He is kind of a one man show, you can’t rush him. I’ve only had him for a little while but I really like this horse. He’s only four and he is staked to everything, so we will see.”

Takter also scored another training win on the 14-race card with his 2-year-old trotting filly Speak To Me (Muscle Massive-Ms Naughty) in one of two divisions of the $154,150 Kentuckiana Stallion Management. With Brett Miller in the bike, Speak To Me recovered from a break in the final turn to stop the timer in 1:55.2, a new track record at Hoosier Park for 2-year-old trotting fillies.

The second division of Kentuckiana Stallion Management stakes action for freshman trotting fillies went to Livininthefastlane and driver Tim Tetrick in 1:56. Trained by Julie Miller, the daughter of Donato Hanover-Nicole’s Promise was able to score from off the pace to record her third win of the season.

Live racing at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino will continue on Tuesday (Sept. 23) with a 14-race card. With a daily post time of 5:15 p.m., the live racing schedule will follow a Tuesday through Saturday schedule and be conducted through Nov. 15.