"The Major Baburao Sanas Independent Million Powered by SRS Group" may well be the longest title for a race of the current Pune monsoon season. Traditionally notorious as the "graveyard" of favourites, it will feature as the prime event of Thursday's seven-race Independence Day card.

Ten runners and riders will face the starter for million-rupee stakes,, and five among them--Brazos, Grand Chieftain, Benevolence, Star Silver & Kennedy-- appear to have a better chance than the other half. The last-named, who followed stable mate winner Arrowfield into the homestretch in a race during the opening week before his rider was dislodged, gets my first nomination.