The Bangalore Turf Club (BTC) kicked off its 2025 Summer Meeting on May 17th with six gripping races that re-ignited the pulse of Indian flat racing. After a three week long pause in the national racing calendar following the conclusion of the races in Delhi, fans flocked back to the track, eager for the return of live action. The opening day delivered a celebratory note with commanding wins by Mehra, All Attraction, Ziva, Imperial Blue, See The Light, and Divine Art, setting the tone for what was expected to be a vibrant racing season ahead.
However, racing’s momentum met an untimely interruption. Originally scheduled to take place on May 18th, the second day of the meet was first postponed to May 20th following overnight rain. But as fate would have it, further inclement weather forced the BTC to cancel Tuesday’s races altogether, turning attention now to Saturday, May 24th the third day. The new racecard features six competitive handicaps and one maiden term race, with a total of 120 entries received. BTC remains hopeful that the weather will finally align with the enthusiasm of the fans.
The first race on the handicap card is The Col. Desraj Urs Trophy, a 1200-metre sprint for horses rated 60 to 85. The horses declared for this race include CREDENCE, STELLANTIS, NEVER GIVE IN, ART COLLECTOR, VIJAYA FALCON, DUN IT AGAIN, and N R I ACE. Horses exempted from elimination are ENGLISH BAY, JERSEY KING, BHARAT, INVINCIBLE, and REGAL REALITY.
Next is The K.N. Guruswamy Memorial Trophy, a 1400-metre contest featuring horses rated 40 to 65. The declared handicaps are CHOTIPARI, MISS SMILEY ANGEL, THESSALIAN, WELLINGTON, EXTRAORDINARY, CROSSWATER, MOUNTAIN JEWEL, KAVYA, KRYSTALLOS, and IRON KING. The eliminated horses from this category are EXCELLENT LASS, KNOTTY AFFAIR, FINLEY, SASSY, DISRUPTOR, DUFY, and THE GALLERY TIME.
The Usha Stud Plate is a 1200-metre race for 5-year-old horses and above rated 40 to 65. The horses declared are GOLDEN TIME, LAUTERBRUNNEN, SOUTHERN FORCE, KNOTTY PATTON, TREASURE CHEST, FREE TO PLAY, AMAZING ATTRACTION, GIMMLER, SUPER SAPPHIRE, and SPRINGSTEEN. DUFY and SASSY are excluded from elimination.
Another exciting contest is The Pendragon Plate, a 1200-metre race for horses rated 20 to 45. Participating horses include TRUE PUNCH, ABLE ONE, ANCHORAGE, THESSALIAN, DAYS DATE, SIENNA PRINCESS, EXTRAORDINARY, FLASH, MOST AND MORE, STRIKING ARROW, STRIKING FORTUNE, and DAIKI. The handicaps excluded are KNOTTY AFFAIR, PERIDOT, LEGENDARY IMPACT, EQUALIZER, FORTIS, LORVEN LUV, FELISA, REAL HAPPINESS, SELECTION, LOCKHEED, BASILICA, COUNT BASIE, ANZAC PARADE, and HONEYPOT.
The Supervite Plate covers 1400 metres and is open to 4-year-old horses and above rated 20 to 45. Handicaps in contention include IRON KING, STENTORIAN, PRICELESS PRINCE, TURKOMAN, WINFIELD, INFINITE SPIRIT, NOBLE CAUSE, ART OF ROMANCE, BREEZE BLUSTER, KNOTTY SCOTTY, STAR OF INDIA, STRAVINSKY, HABIBTI, and VALENCIA. Horses not in the elimination list are COUNT BASIE, SCARLETTE LADY, THE GOLDEN DREAM, GANDOLFINI, FELISA, LEX LUTHOR, LOCKHEED, SLING SHOT, BASILICA, SOUTHERN DYNASTY, and REAL HAPPINESS.
The Moonlight Romance Plate, a 1400-metre race for horses rated 00 to 25, features STRIKING FORTUNE, JOYFUL SPIRIT, and THRILL OF BRAZIL. Those excluded from elimination are SEA DIAMOND, CHINKY PINKY, SOUTHERNARISTOCRAT, SACRED CREATOR, FIREFINCH, and BURNING ARROW.
Finally, the Royal Tern Plate—a 1200-metre race for maiden 3-year-old horses—is the term race of the day. Competing handicaps include BIG B, STAR STUDDED, HYPERDRIVE, VORFREUDE, STAR SERENADE, ALLEGRO DANCE, VEGATHA, MAHLER, ASSURANCES, WHITNEY, BLACK DIAMOND, ZEPHYRINE, NIGHT RAIDER, CONTESSINA, and QUEBEC. JALWA, MIDNIGHT BLUE, and DEVATE are excluded from elimination.
With a total of 120 entries received for the race day, anticipation is building. Racing fans are eagerly awaiting the action, and we’ll continue to bring you all the latest updates—stay tuned!
