Happily will put trainer Aidan O’Brien in the familiar role of starting the favorite in Sunday’s Group 1 Irish 1000 Guineas at The Curragh.

The legendary trainer has won the one-mile turf race for 3-year-old fillies a record-equaling seven times, but has a mixed record with favorites of late. Winter won last year for O’Brien at odds of 8-13, but Found (5-4) and Minding (4-11) could only finish second as favorites in 2015 and 2016.

Recoletos, third in the Group 1 French Derby in 2017, will be favored to win a Group 1 race for the first time in Sunday’s $291,500 Prix d’Ispahan for older horses at Longchamp Racecourse in France.

Recoletos has had one start this year, winning the Group 2 Prix du Muguet at a mile on turf May 1 at Saint-Cloud, and will start for the first time in his career at Longchamp. The historic track on the west side of Paris underwent a grandstand renovation and was closed from October 2015 until last month.

Sunday is Derby Day in Japan, where Tokyo Racecourse hosts the Group 1, $3.48 million Tokyo Yushun, the Japan Derby.

Danon Premium, unbeaten after four starts and already a Group 1 winner, is the solid antepost favorite despite the fact he has never raced beyond 2,000 meters and will be asked to negotiate 2,400 meters (about 1 1/2 miles) Sunday after missing his last intended start with a bruised hoof.

Aidan O’Brien has won the Irish 2000 Guineas 11 times since his first such victory in 1997. He has won the race in seven of the past 10 years. But while O’Brien has four runners in this year’s edition, including the well-qualified pair of U S Navy Flag and Gustav Klimt, it’s the Mark Johnston-trained Elarqam who is the solid favorite for Saturday’s race at The Curragh.

SHA TIN SELECTIONS

(Sunday, May 27, 2018)

RACE 1: #6 Super Model, #4 Ruletheroost, #7 Romantic Bonanza, #5 Speed Vision

RACE 2: #1 Triumphant Jewel, #2 Complacency, #12 Lunar Zephyr, #5 Charity Grand

RACE 3: #8 Good Choice Ahead, #6 Sunny Power, #3 Heroic Guru, #1 Red Elysees

RACE 4: #8 Fabulous One, #2 Lucky Bubbles, #3 Winner's Way, #1 Thewizardofoz

HAPPY VALLEY SELECTIONS

(Wednesday, May 23)

Andrew Le Jeune
R1: 1-6-10-4
R2: 5-2-1-8
R3: 3-11-7-10
R4: 8-11-4-6
R5: 7-1-9-8
R6: 5-6-9-3
R7: 12-4-2-6
R8: 1-6-2-3
Best Bet - R7: #12 Gunnison
Longshot - R6: #5 Multi Facets
Best Play - R7: Q/QP 2-4-6

Prawn Baba was no match for Exultant in the Group 3 Queen Mother Memorial Cup at 1 1/2 miles on turf at Sha Tin Racecourse in Hong Kong on May 6. Prawn Baba was beaten six lengths by Exultant, who finished third in the Irish 2,000 Guineas in 2017 before being sent to Hong Kong.

On Wednesday, Prawn Baba will be the focus of attention in the $236,966 Le French May Trophy at 1 1/8 miles on turf at Happy Valley Racecourse. Exultant is not in Wednesday’s field, and is rated as a leading contender for Sunday’s Group 1 Champions and Chater Cup at 1 1/2 miles on turf at Sha Tin.

HAPPY VALLEY SELECTIONS

(Wednesday, May 23, 2018)

:: Hong Kong: Free PPs, picks, and analysis

RACE 1: #1 Aeroluminance, #5 Penzance, #10 Jolly Amber, #4 Loaded

RACE 2: #1 Lamarosa, #9 Master Viking, #2 Gallant Return, #5 Victory Power

RACE 3: #11 Nashashuk, #3 Peace Combination, #6 Thou Shall Sing, #7 Dominator

RACE 4: #8 Gold Velvet, #6 Jolly Gains, #2 Gentry, #1 Multigogo

Almond Eye won her second consecutive Grade 1 race in Sunday’s $2.25 million Japanese Oaks at Tokyo Racecourse, giving winning rider Christophe Lemaire a memorable 39th birthday present.

Lemaire helped the cause by giving Almond Eye a cool ride.

The winner of the Grade 1 Japanese 1000 Guineas at a mile on turf at Hanshin Racecourse in April, Almond Eye had no difficulty handing the 1 1/2 miles on turf in the Japanese Oaks. Sent off as the 3-5 favorite, Almond Eye stalked the pace before taking the lead with more than a furlong remaining.

Rhododendron, second in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf at Del Mar last November, beat males for the first time in her career in Saturday’s Grade 1 Lockinge Stakes at a mile at Newbury Racecourse in England.

Ridden by Ryan Moore for trainer Aidan O’Brien, Rhododendron (the 10-3 favorite) was always near the front on a straightaway course and was fully extended to edge 16-1 Lightning Spear, who led in the final furlong under jockey Oisin Murphy.