The three-year old colt High Command claimed his third success within a span of two months when he added the Deccan Bookmakers Association sponsored Alcock Barb Million (Gr.3) to his kitty on Monday. Backed once again to the exclusion of his rivals, S Saqlain-partnered High Command (Leitir Mor – Heiress) won convincingly over the seven-furlong trip. High Command took the back seat momentarily after smart jumping out smartly from the gates and let Windsor head the five-horse field for a furlong or so. The bay regained the lead and just when it seemed that it would be another easy outing for him, a threat emerged from unexpected quarters in the form of debutant Verrocchio, who came wide into the straight and almost scared the wits out of Saqlain. High Command, however, accelerated well when Saqlain reminded him of his task and galloped resolutely for his hat-trick. Runner up Verrocchio clearly needed this outing. Brilliant Star ended third with Windsor retiring to be a faraway fourth. 

The duo of trainer RH Sequeira and jockey Abhay Singh clicked a double through Sundance Kid and Pacific Command, who were both off the radar of the followers of form. Five-year old Sundance Kid (Sussex – Safe Keeping) had trailed the field on debut and ended over 30 lengths behind the winner Despang in December last. The chestnut horse however showed remarkable improvement as he gained ground gradually from way back to join the front running bunch headed by Amalfitana. Muaser was the first to collar Amalfitana in the last furlong but was soon passed by Sucker Punch who was engaged in a keen tussle by Sundance Kid. The latter’s tenacious run took the toll of Sucker Punch a few metres from home. Last-outing winner Master Touch warmed up late and his late rally could only deny Muaser the third spot. The way racing form plays truant cannot be illustrated better than citing the reversal seen in Sundance Kid's form and also that of Cash Register, who won over an identical distance beating Sucker Punch last month but ended second last in this race.

Pacific Command, who had ended last in a six furlong Class III race in his previous appearance, had the right money riding on him over the Class IV mile contest as revealed by the events that unfolded during the race. The chestnut gelding graced the wrong end of the eleven-horse field as Saqlain-piloted Akash threw a catch-me-if-you-can challenge at his rivals and almost made it to the winner’s circle before being devoured by Pacific Command’s stupendous run. Once given his head by Abhay, Pacific Command (Planetaire – Firemiss), who is bred as full brother to the recent Bangalore Derby winner La Reina, passed the front runners like a hot knife runs through butter to pull off a well-planned coup. Lady Danger finished a length away and had Akash and Quality Warrior close behind. Favourite Arba Waheed Arba, who had visiting jockey PS Chouhan’s services in the saddle, raised no hopes at any stage of the race and ended off the board.

Sequeira, deputising for suspended trainer Laxman Singh, led in his third winner of the day when the sparingly raced filly Alabama made amends for her last outing’s inexplicable failure. Entrusted to Suraj Narredu on this occasion, the bay filly lay in the rear as Team Player and Francis Bacon took turns in calling the shots before bringing the field into the home stretch. Suraj got busy approaching the final turn and asked Alabama for an effort. The daughter of the now deceased stallion Sanus Per Aquam out of Amazing Charm soon gathered momentum and stole a march over her rivals in the last furlong and half. Suraj then kept Alabama going en route to her third success from five starts. Miss Marvellous ended runner up and not too far finished Princess Daka, N R I Sun and Fly Tothe Stars, who all started galloping when the race was in the safe-keeping of Alabama.

Had N R I Superpower shown the same brilliance as Sundance Kid or Pacific Command, Sequeira would have ended up saddling four winners in a row. General Atlantic from Ravinder Singh’s yard played spoilsport for the on-money favourite N R I Superpower and Sequeira both. Mark My Day took up the customary front-running role as Imran Chisty restrained the favourite who was too keen to overtake the leader in the first two furlongs. Earlier, for a change, both General Atlantic and Royal Grace took a level jump from the gates. With little over a furlong left for home, N R I Superpower asserted herself and went surging past Mark My Day. However, Gaurav Singh pushed General Atlantic (Smuggler’s Cove – Sine Qua Non) relentlessly and inched closer as Imran went all out aboard the favourite. The bay gelding came with taking strides to force N R I Superpower into submission in the shadow of the winning post. Royal Grace finished third ahead of Kesariya Balam.

The debutant filly Livermore obliged her supporters as she carved out a narrow win in a three-way finish witnessed the day’s curtain raiser. L D’Silva schooled Livermore (Speaking Of Which – Sherman Oaks) lacked initial speed but moved up places to be in a striking position behind early leaders Colt Pistol and debutant Zadelle. Afroz Khan timed his challenge to near perfection as Livermore stretched out to snub both Zadelle and Colt Pistol, who were engaged in a fierce duel till close home. The first three horses were separated by a neck and a nose respectively. Indian Sniper ran on towards the end to finish fourth, just ahead of Thunder Knight and Warwick. 

MS Parmar saddled First Class (Stardan – Anassa) justified her favouritism but not before snuffing out the spirited bid of Exclusive Luck. First Class lay fourth behind Space Time, Exclusive Luck and Red River till entering the stretch and made her move after Space Time retired from the fray. Exclusive Luck meanwhile surged ahead of Red River and First Class. DS Deora put all his skills to use and helped First Class rise to the occasion and quash Md Ismail-ridden Exclusive Luck’s hopes just when the winning post seemed within his reach. Red River and Aiza followed them home.

Parmar nearly achieved a double through Delhi Heights in the last race of the day but his ward caught a tartar in Saqlain-steered Black Opal. Delhi Heights had to overcome the widest draw in the field of twelve but raced well up with the pack as Silver Lining and Chica Bonita took the initial lead. As the field entered the final lap, D Netto groomed Black Opal got a dream opening towards the inner rails which Saqlain grabbed gleefully and tackled Silver Lining before spurting ahead. Delhi Heights meanwhile got going and was easily the best moving horse in the straight but found the winning post coming to the rescue of Black Opal who won sparing half-length to his rival at the wire. Chica Bonita and Silver Lining completed the judge’s frame.