O'Brien pair run 1-2 in Dante

Aidan O'Brien added two more strings to his Epsom Derby bow at York on Thursday as Black Bear Island and Freemantle finished first and second in the Group 2, $227,000 Dante Stakes.

A full brother to the 2002 Epsom Derby winner, High Chaparral, Black Bear Island came from last to first with a late rush in traffic under Colm O'Donoghue to catch his pacesetting stablemate near the line for a head victory. Sans Frontieres was three-quarters of a length further back in third place, with the 2-1 favorite, Crowded House, a one-paced eighth.

The 12-1 Black Bear Island won the 1 1/4-mile, 88-yard Dante in 2:11.64 on good to firm ground.

Paco Boy heads Lockinge Stakes at Newbury

Paco Boy will attempt to underline his status as the leading older miler in England on Saturday in the Group 1, $379,000 Lockinge Stakes at Newbury, where Aqlaam appears to have the best chance of upending him.

A three-time group race winner going seven furlongs last year, including the Group 1 Prix de la Foret, Paco Boy won for the first time at a mile in the Group 2 Sandown Mile on April 25. Aqlaam has has not run since winning the seven-furlong, Groupo3 Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot last.