The Bangalore Juvenile Million (Grade III) held at Bangalore on Saturday , produced one of the most thrilling finishes that we have witnessed all season. Favourite Super Storm and relative outsider Nickel Chrome thrilled their respective fans by racing alongside in the last two furlongs of this race. Because of the nature of his job, the commentator had to call one before the other. But in actual fact, they were almost inseparable for most of the way. In a bobbing of heads, it was Super Storm who finally clinched the issue. It was the last "big" race for first season juveniles to be held in the winter season. Since there were no penalties for earlier victories, all eight were set to compete at level terms. By virtue of his runaway victory in The Governor's Trophy, Satish Narredu's Super Storm looked like an obvious favourite.He  had won over a mile, and therefore, the present trip of seven furlongs was definitely within his compass. However, the Ganapathy camp had other ideas. It was felt that Own Asset was a much improved horse after his narrow defeat over an identical trip earlier this month.They supported Own Asset with confidence and made him climb to the top of the betting boards. Well-bred Shivalik Dew, who had taken down a lot of money after a lethargic beginning in her only start, was quietly fancied by her yard. However, she never participated in this race. A fatal accident near the starting gates marred the proceedings. Shivalik Dew collapsed after a bad fall, and the grey filly was put to sleep. Eventually, only seven of them jumped out of the starting gates.

Nickel Chrome darted to the front and set a comfortable pace ahead of Moko Moko Moko and Own Asset. Super Storm took the fourth spot on the rails, while the others were under pressure to keep pace with the leaders. The filly raced on an even keel and led into the straight. P.S. Chouhan's posture in the saddle indicated that she still had a lot in reserve. Own Asset and Moko Moko Moko drifted out under pressure and opened up a nice looking gap along the rails. Not one to miss a golden opportunity, Suraj brought Super Storm along this path. He asked his horse for a response by giving him a couple of cracks. Super Storm joined Nickel Chrome near the two furlong marker, and engaged her in a serious duel. It was a pleasure to see this pair of top jockeys producing their best. The two runners raced side-by-side right upto the winning post. A digital print was required to confirm the verdict in favour of Super Storm. Own Asset ended a tame third while Hyderabad based Moko Moko Moko had to settle for the final spot on the result board. One thing emerged from this result. It was confirmed that Super Storm , who made heavy weather of this shorter trip, is better suited over a much longer version and will be a live contender in the Summer Classics.

The other talking point after the day's proceedings was the performance from Sharat Kumar's Smile All The Way. The five year old mare won her fifth race this season. She started in winter with a  victory in the lowest category, and after her performance on Saturday, is sure to be rated by the official handicapper in Class I. This sort of progress at the age of five is quite remarkable. She has won all her races in similar fashion, and there was nothing different today. John allowed her to settle behind Nessie and Make My Day. He put her under pressure in the straight and popped her the question. Despite conceding weight to the two front running horses, she devoured ground on the wide outside and had the measure of them much before the final post. She has definitely played a big role in helping her trainer corner the professional honours this winter. For Sharat and John, this was the second win of the afternoon. They had earlier picked up a 0-25 event with Rubellite. The six year old finally found a weak bunch to display his abilities. Rubellite tracked stablemate Cute Angel and Good Gift till the top of the straight. With the former playing the role of a pacemaker and retiring near the top of the bend, and Good Gift suffering from a sprained stifle, there was nothing that could stop Rubellite from winning today. He lengthened his strides and powered away from Table Mountain and a late finishing Stud Muffin.

P.S. Chouhan's band-wagon continued to roll on Saturday, as he capped Friday's treble with a similar effort today. Out of his nine rides, he won with three, finished second on four and took the third spot with one of the other two runners. This indicates the sort of form that he is enjoying at the moment. He started by winning the first two races in the nine event card. Warren Singh's Sanfrancisco Girl had the credentials to win the day's opener. Her third behind Magnetic Power and Little Lion was quite a good effort. Considering Little Lion's subsequent exploits, Sanfrancisco Girl shaped better than the others. With Chouhan settling her down in the back-stretch and improving his position steadily thereafter, the grey bounded forward and ran away from her helpless opponents.  Brigade's Passion and Aetius ran on to take the minor placings.

He had to work really hard astride Manohar's Signifies. This race witnessed a complete eclipse of favourite Hot Stuff. With Milan riding an ordinary race on second-in-demand Indian, it was Chouhan who capitalized on the situation. After Recharged had overtaken Shahraan near the bend and set sail for home, it was Signifies who went in chase. Chouhan put him in top gear in the final furlong and rode him vigorously. While Hot Stuff faded out of contention, it was Indian who was seen making a move on the wide outside. Signifies was good enough to lead near the distance post and hold a feeble challenge from Indian. The last named is a good type and has the ability to pick up a race in the near future.

Neil Darashah's Celestial Son had managed to pick up a race last month after a number of unsuccessful efforts this season. Since the seven year old had reacted favourably to Chouhan's handling, the trainer chose to entrust him again to the same rider. Even though Celestial Son was carrying a winning penalty, and was therefore badly handicapped against some of the others, there were many who fancied his chances. He was third favourite behind Lad Fury and Silver Sceptre. Romance In The Air, Lad Fury and Silver Sceptre did the front running and were prominent till the bend. Celestial Son and One For The Money weren't too far behind, and it looked like "anybody's race" till that stage. It was only a matter of who would find that little extra in the final furlong. Chouhan and Celestial Son rose to the occasion, hit the front and kicked away from One For The Money, Lad Fury and Silver Sceptre. All four of them finished within touching distance of each other.

The Leading Stud Trophy, a mile handicap for horses in class I, generated a lot of excitement. There were many amongst the nine runners that ran with a chance in this race. Spark Of Gold garnered much support to head the betting boards. Not only was he running over his favourite trip, but he also had the services of Chouhan in the saddle. Atlantus had the ability, but his top weight looked like a "stopper". A rousing performer as a three year old, the Dhariwal trained Midtown Magic was under a cloud. There was no doubt that if he was able to produce his best form, there was no stopping him today. That is exactly what happened. Midtown Magic raced comfortably in mid division till the top of the straight, before Vaibhav gave him a crack. He quickened nicely, darted away from a pack of runners and charged towards the winning post. In a mad scramble for minor slots, Atlantus ended second ahead of Spark Of Gold and Red Renegade.

A sprint race for maiden three year olds appeared to be a straight fight between Irfan Ghatala's Smithsonite and Ganapathy's Quick Enough. The former had run only once. He had shown plenty of speed to lead into the straight before getting exhausted. With Suraj replacing Paswan on Saturday, the connections were quite optimistic about his chances. He had reportedly shown a lot of improvement in his track trials. But for traffic problems, Quick Enough  would have won his earlier start. He had rallied from a poor position to figure in a three way finish. The light framed horse was looking fit for the fray. This pair of fancied runners improved from mid-division and led into the straight. After a brief fight near the furlong marker, it was Quick Enough who emerged victorious. He was surely travelling the better of the two, and there were no hard luck stories in this race. B Sreekanth rode the winner with a lot of confidence. Smithsonite showed a lot of improvement in his form and condition, and appears to be a ready-made winner in his next start.