| THEFOURSEASONS | Name given to the first part of Antonio Vivaldi's set of concerti, The Contest between Harmony and Invention |
| MICROSCOPE | Observing instrument, romantic composer embracing one with first of concerti (10) |
| AUTUMN | Associated with Persephone and Demeter, transition from summer to winter depicted in the third concerto of Antonio Vivaldi's The Four Seasons (6) |
| KENNEDY | Violinist noted for his interpretation of Antonio Vivaldi's The Four Seasons and music by guitarist Jimi Hendrix (7) |
| THEGREAT | Shorthand for the contest between the British and Russian empires over 19 (3,5,4) |
| GAME | Shorthand for the contest between the British and Russian empires over 19 (3,5,4) |
| ITSADATE | "I'm there!" ... and hint to the first part of the answers to starred clues |
| HORSERACE | What the puzzle's title refers to; the first parts of the starred entries, in clue order, give the order of the top three finishers |
| SAWIV | Gory 2007 horror sequel, and a hint to the first part of the starred answers |
| PANDORASBOX | In Greek mythology, a large jar containing all the evils of the world that was given to the first woman on Earth |
| BRAS | Tops that can be added to the first part of 17A, 27A, 44A and 59A |
| GUN | It can be added to the first part of 16A, 27A, 46A, and 63A |
| BALTHAZAR | In 4.1, in the trial scene of Antonio, "a young doctor of Rome" enters to help him. What is the name of this disguised doctor? |
| ALPHA | Name given to the first letter of the Greek alphabet (5) |
| ABIGAIL | What name was given to the first storm under the alphabetical naming system introduced last November? (7) |
| WINTER | One of the four seasons depicted in Antonio Vivaldi's violin concerti Le quattro stagioni (6) |
| SPRING | English name of the concerto "La primavera" from Antonio Vivaldi's The Four Seasons (6) |
| ROGERGREENAWAY | Co-writer of songs including I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing (in Perfect Harmony) and Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress |
| NEONATAL | Name given to the first month of life after birth (8) |
| BASSANIO | Friend of Antonio and suitor of Portia in Shakespeare's The Merchant Of Venice (8) |
