Howsoever hackneyed it may sound, but the fact is all roads in Mumbai will lead to the Mahalaxmi racecourse on the Indian Derby day (Sunday, Feb 5). Generally, horse racing at Mahalaxmi caters only to die-hard racing fans, but on the first Sunday in February, thousands of other Mumbaikars, putting on their best clothes, make a beeline at the racecourse turnstiles for their annual pilgrimage: to witness the most exciting equine contest--which lasts barely two-and-half-minutes--and throws up the champion 4y old horse in the country. 

This will be the 81st edition of the Indian Derby which was first won by Princess Beautiful in 1943. Princess Beautiful claimed only Rs 35,000 as winner`s share. But as was expected, the Indian Derby stakes started fattening with every passing year: the winner`s take-home prize crossed the Rs 1-lakh mark in 1969 (Fair Haven), and scaled the 5-lakh barrier 15 years later, in 1984, when Pesi Shroff rode first of his eight Derby winners (Enterprising).