Ganapathy trained Bold Command advertised his classic potential with an emphatic win in the Gr 3 Bangalore Summer Million, a rich terms race for three year olds, which highlighted racing held on Thursday. The three year old son of Arazan, Bold Command was so impressive win in his success that there is very little doubt that he will be a hot shot for the monsoon classics.

The Summer Million has always served as a pointer to the monsoon and winter classics. Horses which would have missed the Derby because they would have come to hand late during the season generally compete in this race. Top horses like Elusive Pimpernel, Mystical et al have won this race and went on to win several classics. Judging by the manner of victory, Bold Command too seems to be in the same mould and it won`t be a surprise if he dominates the classics at Mysore or Hyderabad.

Bold Command had recorded a smashing win in his only start during the season. There was speculation whether he would run in the Derby as a final entry but since the stable had another well performed horses in Eternal Flame, such a temptation was resisted. Now pitched into the mile long Summer Million, Bold Command went to the post at odds of even money. The rest of the runners were at long odds as none had given the impression that they were capable of toppling the favourite unless of course the public fancy ran below par for unknown reasons.

Jockey Sandesh settled Bold Command in the rear group ahead of Super Success and Heaven Is Here. China One set a scorching pace in front with Super Sunshine who was making his debut this season after a setback in training in second positon ahead of Starlet, Flamboyance, Royal Seal, Bold Command, Super Success and Heaven Is Here. Bold Command travelled powerfully, with the jockey managing to keep him on a tight leash till entering the homestretch. The split materialised as soon as the horses straightened for the run in for home and Bold Command shot through and then there was no stopping the favourite. Bold Command blasted away in front to win pulling up by over five lengths. Starlet ran on to take the second spot ahead of Heaven Is Here who overcame a tight passage along the rails to grab the third slot. Bold Command is undoubtedly in a class of his own and his repeat win in splendid fashion in an excellent time of one minute 37.72 seconds indicated how far he is ahead of his contemporaries. Flamboyance who is still to break the maidens` ranks but pushed up in rating to 65 after finishing fourth in the Derby was outclassed. Heaven Is Here`s finishing effort indicated that the filly needs more ground to reach her full potential. Incidentally, the victory provided Sandesh his 500th win in a short span of time.

Suleiman Attaollahi trained Booker Jones came in for strong support to win the 1600 metres Stewards Cup, a race for horses rated 80 and above. Bold Majesty began as the favourite but the odds eased on him as there was stronger support for Booker Jones who enjoyed pull in weights vis-à-vis their contest in the Guineas last year. Booker Jones raced prominently behind pace setter Mickey Mouse before storming ahead in the final 300 metres. Booker Jones sped away for a comfortable win over Acclaimed who shaped to put a stiff fight but weakened. Bold Majesty was a tame third.

The 1200 metres K N Chennabasappa Memorial Cup, a race for horses rated 60 and above, had a very competitive field. Go Lucky Go who had been running consistent races was the favourite at 4/1 though the thrust on Virat was surprising to say the least. There was quiet support for Sun Divine though the presence of four kg apprentice Vishal was a dissuading factor for many. In the event, Sun Divine who showed up on the wide outside with a furlong left in the race managed to stave off the late flourish of Go Lucky Go to win by a neck to provide his jockey the first win of his career. Assiduous made a late rally but found the winning post coming too soon.

Sharat Kumar brought off a good touch on Magnitude Star in the 1400 metres Yeravada Stud Plate (Div I), a race for horses rated 40 to 65. Magnitude Star`s last win was 243 days ago when he ran at the rating of 60. Now Magnitude Star had dropped back to 61after achieving a rating of 71. The fact that jockey Y S Srinath was astride was indicative of the fact that the eight year old would be a serious contender. Wings of Fortune who had been quietly fancied gained the initiative going into the final furlong by a good run along the rails but Magnitude Star put paid to his hopes with a strong finish in the hands of Srinath to spare a length at the finish. Prize Finder was a suggestive third despite less heralded Adarsh being in the saddle. Prize Finder can find his bearings whenever there is right thrust on him in the betting ring. Priceless Ace who was one of the fancied runners burst his blood vessels. Secret Prayer showed amazing improvement when winning the lower division of the race in tremendous fashion. Secret Prayer left the field standing in the final furlong to land a big touch. Deep Blue Storm was a surprise second ahead of the consistent Fresh Start and Trapezoid.

The market trend indicated that the 1400 metres Treasure Girl Plate, a race for horses rated 20 to 45, could be a straight fight between Cannes and Force Ensign. Attractive Bay had won before running off the board in her next run which is the reason why there was less support. The right connections had the confidence to back her at long odds. Force Ensign appeared to have a stolen march going into the final furlong but Attractive Bay finished with a flourish to floor the favourite. Cannes was a tame third.

The 1400 metres Lively Emprey Trophy, a race for maiden three year olds, saw Iceglow backed strongly to win but the favourite disappointed, failing to take a forward position early on and racing flat in the straight to eventually finish poorly. Long shot Diamond Queen who hit the front from the word `go` held on gamely to win from El Fenix to bring off the biggest upset of the day. Swaksha was third.

Dancing Jessie was driven out by jockey Suraj Narredu to contain the challenge of well backed Holy Empire to clinch the 1600 metres Azhar Plate, a race for horses in the lowest category. In what appeared an open type of betting, To The Future was the favourite though the odds on all the horses were quoted liberally in the absence of any clear cut favourite.

Srinath brought Lozen into contention three horses wide deep into the straight and the progeny of Ravel quickly established her supremacy to go storming clear and win the day`s opener, the 1200 metres Galilee Plate, a race for horses rated 20 to 45 quite easily. Zulfiqar and Fruit Prince occupied the next two slots without looking capable of troubling the favourite.