Veteran professional Mansingh Jadhav-nursed filly Miss American Pie scaled new heights when she conquered two established sprinters on the Indian racing circuit on Saturday. Time And Tide, winner of the Indian Turf Invitation Sprinters' Cup, was the hot favourite to win in the field which was reduced to four following Magileto's withdrawal. However, despite her rating on the handicap scale being nearly 40 points lower than Time And Tide and Market King, Miss American Pie performed out of her skin to claim the Akkasaheb Maharaj Trophy (Gr.3). Jockey NS Parmar got Miss American Pie off to a speedy start from the gates and that was all it took for the bay filly to smother her two rivals' reputation. Miss American Pie (Gleneagles – Reine Australe) made every post of six-furlong sprint a winning one with Time And Tide and Market King in futile chase throughout. The latter, who was making his first appearance under Imtiaz Sait's care, rubbed more salt into the on-money favourite's wound by denying him the runner-up berth. Miss American Pie, who was bred at the Equus Stud Farms, is owned by Mr Prashant Nagar.

The Jadhav-Parmar combine was earlier associated with the success of Exuma, who won the Star Future Plate sporting the same colours as Miss American Pie. The three-horse event run over a mile and half was actually a toss-up between Big Red and Exuma and the third contestant, Flaming Lamborgini, ended up setting the pace for stable-mate Big Red, who was slow to start as usual. Flaming Lamborgini showed the way to the duo till approaching the final bend where Parmar eased Exuma into the lead. S. Saqlain wasted no time in alerting his mount to launch his assault and got Big Red to range alongside Exuma. But Parmar kept Exuma (Australia – Bahama Bay) going under the whip and succeeded in repelling Big Red’s menacing threat. Exuma won by half-length to Big Red, who was not disgraced in this defeat.

Big Red’s barn-mate Christophany faced no such hurdle as the filly achieved an encore this season and her fourth career victory in the process. Neeraj Rawal astride the Sait-saddled filly lay in wait in the mid-bunch as Aperol and Earth tried runaway tactics over the seven-furlong trip for the trophy instituted in memory of late trainer SK Sunderji. As the leaders lost pace, favourite Art Collector made his move and tried to forge ahead. Neeraj, meanwhile, brought Christophany on the outer lane and let the chestnut filly do the rest. Christophany (Planetaire – Nuray) stepped up the pace to gain the upper hand just before Art Collector was about to overtake Aperol in the last furlong. The filly pulled away for a convincing win over Metzinger, who rallied on to take the second place whilst Kariena warmed up late in the straight to finish in the money ahead of Art Collector. To sum Christophany’s success, it was only apt that Sait, who is as passionate and hard-working as late Sunderji was in carrying out his professional duties, received the trophy for this achievement.

Adhirajsingh Jodha sent out two winners in Timeless Vision and Mysteriousstranger who claimed the Dinkoo N. Chenoy Trophy and the September Handicap, the two events reserved for maiden juveniles. Ridden by A. Sandesh, Timeless Vision raced on the haunches of Scarlet Sensation, who brought the field into the straight and passed the baton to her stable-mate. Timeless Vision (Cougar Mountain – Timeless Romance) stormed into the lead little less than two furlongs from home and kicked on gamely for her maiden victory. Favourite Marcus and Silver Strike made a desperate bid to catch the winner but in vain. Celestina ran a bit green before ending a close fourth.

An inspired effort in the saddle from Sandesh was instrumental in Mysteriousstranger outwitting Arkadian, Regina Memorabilis and Come September in a tantalising close finish. Come September took charge of the running soon after the starter’s flag came down and called the shots ahead of Regina Memorabilis and Lord Eric, who were racing prominently behind. Mysteriousstranger was ridden well off the pace and lay at the rear end. Come September was still in control of the lead as the winning post came in sight with Regina Memorabilis getting stronger. Arkadian, who raced four horses wide all the way, and Mysteriousstranger also making their presence felt. With Regina Memorabilis and Arkadian both drifting out under pressure, Sandesh found a clear ground ahead and vigorously drove Mysteriousstranger to collar Come September in the last few metres of the mile trip. Arkadian nosed out Regina Memorabilis for the runner-up slot while Come September finished half-length away to be fourth. Both Mighty Sparrow and Saifa didn’t have the luck of the race and finished fifth and sixth respectively. Altamash Ahmed trained and K. Nazil-ridden Saifa, who was confidently backed in the betting ring and ended up being the favourite, was poised to get closer to Come September just after the bend when she shied away from Mysteriousstranger who was also making his bid at the same stage. Saifa lost precious ground in the process and couldn’t recover thereafter. Mighty Sparrow on the other hand was denied a clear run not once but twice as Sandesh kept him covered on both occasions. Both these horses, as also Arkadian and Come September, should not linger in the maiden ranks for long.

Six-year old Aries from Karthik Ganapathy’s yard lived up to the promise shown in his previous run when he ran a forward race over six furlongs before succumbing to Serrano close home. With a furlong less to travel on this occasion, Bhawani Singh-piloted Aries (Corporate Jungle – Olympic Skater) hit the front soon after the start and was never headed at any stage of the race. Pure ran on very late to take the second place while Majestic Warrior got to finish in the money after the horses which chased Aries failed to improve in the straight. Enlightened finished fourth.

Narendra Lagad led in a double with well-fancied House Of Lords and Zacapa. Lagad had four speedy equines in the day’s curtain raiser but entrusting House Of Lords to 5kg-claimer S. Saba proved rewarding in the end. House Of Lords (Excellent Art – Mufradat) went surging into the lead shortly after the start was given and showed a clean pair of heels to his rivals all the way home. Northern Singer ran on to take the runner-up spot ahead of Mojo and Nairobi.

Mustakim Alam-partnered Zacapa (Ampere – Zazou) stayed in close attendance of Spirit Bay, who decided to do the initial running, and collared the leader in the last furlong. Zacapa took charge but not before shifting in on to Spirit Bay, who in turn blocked the path of Malboro Man towards the inner rails. Zacapa stretched out under the whip to keep late-finishing The Flutist and Midas Touch at bay. A neck and head separated the first three horses at the post. Prince O’War finished fourth.