The penultimate day of the Calcutta winter meeting saw followers of money burn their fingers as only two favourites obliged in a card of six races. In the five-and-half furlong sprint for the King’s Academy Handicap, the piping hot favourite was the half-money Mogul.Trainer Vijay Singh’s Legendary Striker was available at 6/1in the five-horse field. As the gates opened, it was the speedy Exotic Queen who hit the front with Mogul and Legendary Striker about five lengths behind. The order remained the same till Legendary Striker with apprentice Hasib Alam up changed gears at the top of the straight. He gradually drew close to the front-runner and the whips began to flash from the distance post. With less than a hundred metres to the winning post, Legendary Striker (Be Safe-Striking View) overhauled his foe while Mogul ended up a poor third after struggling to keep pace with the speedsters in the straight.

The afternoon commenced with Javed Khan-trained Creation Of God (Air Support-Agassiz) putting his best foot forward to win the mile race for the Toroloco Handicap. There was some betting on Colossal. As such, the favourite was available at 2/1. Tracking Actofmagic till the turning for home, Creation Of God with CS Jodha atop shot ahead and won as he liked.

The six-furlong sprint for the Aazish Handicap was a more competitive affair. It was an open betting race with the favourite Jinsoku available at 3/1. With jockey Suraj Narredu astride, the favourite took up the running as the gates opened. Legend Returns and Lightinthesky were in tow. Shafiq Khan-trained Mosset (Chevalier-Bloody Mary) was in fourth slot for most part. Leading jockey RS Bhati on Mosset turned on the heat with a furlong to go and the colt responded well to his urgings to register a comprehensive victory.

The six-furlong sprint for the Another Time Handicap had 13 runners in the fray after the withdrawal of Seasky. Aashay Doctor-trained Cape Tanaros made things easy for himself as he jumped out first and hit the front as the gates opened. Nikhil Naidu on top of the big made colt by Western Aristocrat out of Laurita didn’t leave anything to chance as he made every post a winning one. The favourite For Evermore needed the run after a long lay-off while second favourite Tres Bien ended up a fair third behind Mr Batolabaaz.

The Desiree Handicap saw the withdrawal of fancied runner Namiki. Indian Tiger set a fast pace followed by Harbour Sunrise and the others. The favourite Secret Pearl (Planetaire-Noble Lady) from Vijay Singh’s yard was in mid-division for most part till Hindu Singh decided to make is move mid-way up the straight. The gelding eventually won quite comfortably from Memorable Memories.

The Acrider Handicap saw a full-house of 14 runners line up for the starter. Top-weight Euphrates set a good pace but faded out to finish last. Arti Doctor-trained Third Avenue moved from the fifth position to take up the running at the top of the straight and win by over a length from the fast-moving favourite Circle Of Love. Santana ended up a creditable third.