Trainer Manvendra Singh`s Classic filly Artesia, scored another easy victory, on Saturday, while annexing the 1,800m Alternator Cup. Jockey Christopher Alford partnered the half-money favourite to a length-plus victory but the official verdict hardly gives indication with the authority she scored over Malpensa, her main rival in the four-horse field. The afternoon also witnessed Alford`s another hot favourite, Aptness, recording an impressive victory in his debut run to land the 1,400m Pompano Plate for maiden three-year-old horses. On the whole, punters had a mixed fortune as less fancied runners also had a fair share of dominance in the eight-event card. Trainer Vikash Jaiswal, too, had his day made as two long-priced winners hailed from his stable.

Alford rode a copy-book race on the Artesia – holding back the four-year-old behind Aerator and Malpensa till about the half way of the journey. Improving gradually, thereafter, the favourite was at the helm, close to the distance post, to leave Malpensa do all the chasing. With three-length lead to her advantage, Artesia was eased up in the final 150m to allow Malpensa come that much closer.

Trainer Vijay Singh`s Aptness, too, had it easy in the 1,400m Pompano Handicap. Benefitted by a good mock race, Alford did not need to work hard on Stienbeck-Aptiana colt, who was making his debut. Keeping the 6-10 favourite behind the early leaders, Marilyn and Desi Crew, until the final turn, the jockey let his charge go but Myrilyn tried to hold the fort even past the distance post. Therefore, Alford had to apply some pressure on the winner but things turned out to be smooth about 100m from home as Aptness got into his galloping rhythm, though marginally hanging out.

Trainer Dipak Karki`s pair of ante-post favourites – Crackle in the day`s opener, the Sans Ame Handicap, and Daylite in the Silver Dawn Handicap – were expected win their respective events but they disappointed. Crackle`s (apprentice Zarar Alam-up) expanding odds and a huge wagering on Parthenon (apprentice Md Javed) changed the equation in the betting but none of the two made much of impression in the race which was claimed by Dance In China (Sandeep Rajput-up) who has been knocking at the door. Biloo Badshah made most of the running, with Crackle Happy Kingdom and Dance In China in hot pursuit but in the end the opposition was no match for winner, presenting Jaiswal his first of the two winners, who was available at fancy odds of 7-1 and more.

Jaiswal`s next winner, Apical Finala (Vinay Jaiswal-up), in the lower division of the 1,200m Vasto Handicap, followed in pouring rain. The rings odds were no pointers in the seven-horse field as the two horses in the betting went to the start, as joint favourites, by default; Vijay`s Clear Opportunity – despite a hattrick of wins, last winter, to her credit – was freely available at 6-4 while brother`s, Bharath`s, well-performed but ailing horse Slade Valley – the winner of the Colts Stakes, during the last monsoon season – attracted the wagering at 16-10. Had Clear Opportunity been adequately prepared , the Opportunist filly would have started as a half-money favourite. Moreover, Fire Falcon`s cut a fast pace in the race, upsetting the rhythm of the two favourites, and as a result of this, the tiring pair of favourites paved the way for Apical Finala`s victory over Follow The Dream. Incidentally, the visibility was very poor in the race.

The lower division of the Vasto Handicap was an easy pick for trainer Patrick Quinn`s Home Alone, ridden by B. Mahesh. The victory followed after a minor change in riding tactics. Mahesh never opted for the rail-side route, and preferred to make his bid on the outside to drive home to an easy victory. In the same race, Vijay 6-4 favourite, Altanza (apprentice Munna Alam-up) lost a considerable ground and yet the horse placed second.

There is nothing to write home about Gararo`s (apprentice Jorawar Singh-up) victory in the 1,100m Bright Law Handicap. The last two runs of the Sabeel Shariff-trained horse were indicative. And the speedy runner made a successful start to finish effort to beat a heavily wagered Fire Angel (Srikant Kamble-up) from Arti Doctor`s yard.

Trainer Jasbir Singh`s Amika, too, had done well in her last start when he placed second to Hurricane Andrew. In the 1,100m Hearts Handicap, the top-weighted runner, quoted at 7-2 in the betting, cashed in on his forward condition and the form to have an easy measure of Artemisia, a rank-outsider, and an equally fancied Burst Of Stardust who made most of the running. The 5-2 favourite, Ace Of Fire, from Vijay`s stable, needed the run.