Cutlass Bay remained undefeated on Sunday as he made his 4-year-old debut a winning one at Longchamp in the Group 2, $176,000 Prix d Harcourt, holding on gamely to defeat Court Canibal by a neck. What makes his performance stand out, however, was that this was his first start since having won the Group 2 Prix Greffulhe on May 12.

Apapane rallied to win the $2.25 million Oka Sho, or Japanese 1000 Guineas, at Hanshin on Sunday, setting a stakes record of 1:33.30 for the Grade 1 mile.

Ridden by Masayoshi Ebina, Apapane, last year's Japanese juvenile filly champion, came from fourth at the top of the stretch to catch the pacesetting Oken Sakura near the line, prevailing by a half-length as the 9-5 favorite. It was another neck back to A Shin Returns in third with the 4.-1 second choice Apricot Fizz fifth, beaten just two lengths for all the money.

Don't Push It gave Britain's most highly decorated jumps jockey, Tony McCoy, his first victory in the Grand National Steeplechase on Saturday with a five-length victory over Black Apalachi in the 4 1/2-mile, $1.4 million spectacle that was filled with drama both before and during the race.

NEW YORK - All of the noise created in the last two years by dirt traditionalists and synthetic radicals concerning safety has tended to drown out a larger and equally important trend: Racing and breeding in America continues on a path toward isolationism even in this age of globalism.

The $2.25 million Oka Sho, or Japanese 1000 Guineas, at Hanshin on Sunday looks like a Triple-A race, with much of the attention in the fillies' classic focused on Apapane, Apricot Fizz, and Animate Bio. The one-mile contest is officially rated an international Grade 1 contest for the first time in its history this year, as are the other four Japanese classics as they are now open to all comers from around the world.

The Group 2, $173,000, Prix Noailles at Longchamp on Sunday is the first major step to the French Derby, but with few French 2-year-olds having distinguished themselves at a mile or beyond last year, it is difficult to say how important a classic prep this 1 5/16-mile contest will prove to be.

Special Duty's trip to Newmarket for the 1000 Guineas is on hold after the European juvenile champion finished only third in the Group 3, $107,000 Prix Imprudence at Maisons-Laffitte on Friday. A Hennessy filly trained by Criquette Head-Maarek, Special Duty led until 150 yards from the line, when she was headed by the 2.60-1 Joanna, who recorded a half-length victory over Evading Tempete, who came late for second, a half-length in front of Special Duty.

Mon Mome defends his title in the $1.4 million Grand National Handicap Chase at Aintree on Saturday, but the 100-1 he returned when winning last year's race by 12 lengths has shrunk to 10-1 this time around. The Venetia Williams-trained 10-year-old signaled his readiness for the 4 1/2 miles and 30 fences of the Grand National when he closed well to finish third in the 3 5/16-mile Cheltenham Gold Cup, a performance that is at least as good as any put in by his 39 rivals this season.

Noble's Promise, among the favorites for Saturday's Arkansas Derby and one of the leading contenders for the Kentucky Derby, is being considered for the Epsom Derby by trainer Ken McPeek and owners Chasing Dreams Racing 2008. The Cuvee colt was one of eight late nominees at 8,000 pounds ($12,175) to the $1.9 million, 1 1/2-mile turf classic on June 5, the same day as the Belmont Stakes.

Horses departing Dubai after Dubai World Cup Night are beginning to make plans for future international events. Five of them will be heading to Hong Kong for an April 25 date in either the $1.8 million Queen Elizabeth II Cup at 1 1/4 miles or the $1.5 million Champions Mile, while seven from the Dubai Sheema Classic are nominated for the 1 1/2-mile Coronation Cup at Epsom on June 4.