Sunday stakes recaps (05/23/04)

* Making her first start since winning the Breeders' Cup Mile last October, Six Perfections was beaten by the Italian-trained Prince Kirk in the Group 1 Prix d'Ispahan at Longchamp. Six Perfections moved smoothly into the lead with a furlong to run, but had no more to give when Prince Kirk challenged inside her with 100 yards to run.

* Daiwa El Cielo upset the heavily favored Dance in the Mood, winning the $2 million Yushun Himba, or Japanese Oaks, at Tokyo Racecourse by 3 3/4 lengths.

* Breaking sharply under James Avant, Shes Dixies Eskimo ($85.40) set all the pace and outfinished prohibitive favorite Placid Star in the Fantasia Stakes at Louisiana Downs.

* Thundering Verzy ($2.40), sent off at 1-5, rallied from last to score a 1 1/4-length victory in the six-furlong, $10,000 Journal Star Stakes for 3-year-olds at Lincoln.