Undefeated Hungarian sprint sensation Overdose heads the nominations for the five-furlong, Group 2 Temple Stakes at Haydock Park in England on May 23. An undefeated son of Starborough, Overdose was the easy eight-length winner of his 4-year-old seasonal debut at Kincsem Park in Budapest on April 19. He is, however, suffering from sore feet after having his shoes removed on Saturday night.

Debussy will attempt to confirm his classic credentials at Chester on Thursday in the Group 3, $104,000 Chester Vase, a 1 1/4-mile, 66-yard prep for the Epsom Derby around the tightest left-handed course in England.

A busy week of European classic preps got under way at Longchamp on Monday as Wajir took the Group 2, $173,000 Prix Hocquart, a 1 1/4-mile trial for the French Derby. An Elie Lellouche-trained son of Danehill Dancer, Wajir prevailed by a half-length over Telluride. Grandcamp, who had beaten Wajir into third in the Group 2 Prix Noailles on April 5, finished last of five after having led to the three-sixteenths pole. The time for the 1 3/8 miles on good ground was 2:17.60.

Meiner Kitz added to an upset-filled weekend in the racing world on Sunday when he sprung a 45-1 surprise in the $2.6 million Spring Tenno Sho at Kyoto. A ground-saving ride from Masami Matsuoka propelled Meiner Kitz, a 6-year-old son of Chief Bearhart trained by Sakae Kuneida, to a neck victory over Al Nasrain.

Meiner Kitz covered the two miles on firm ground in 3:14.40. Dream Journey was third, beaten two lengths, while the 5-2 favorite Asakusa Kings faded to finish ninth, 5 3/4 lengths behind the winner.

Ghanaati handed Rainbow View the first loss of her career at Newmarket on Sunday when the 20-1 shot landed the classic $577,000 1000 Guineas Stakes. Banged down to 8-11 favoritism, Rainbow View failed to show the sparkle that had earned her the European juvenile filly championship in coming home fifth, 2 3/4 lengths behind the winner.

Sea the Stars outgamed Delegator in the $577,000 2000 Guineas Stakes at Newmarket on Saturday to establish himself as the leading 3-year-old in Europe while taking on the favorite's mantle for the Epsom Derby.

At $2.6 million, the richest race in the world this Kentucky Derby weekend is Sunday's Grade 1 Spring Tenno Sho at Kyoto, a competitive if not outstanding renewal of the two-mile contest also known as the Emperor's Cup.

On paper, Asakusa Kings need only repeat his March 22 victory in the 1 7/8-mile, Grade 2 Hanshin Daishoten to land this valuable prize. The 5-year-old Asakusa Kings has also won the 1 3/8-mile, Grade 2 Kyoto Kinen this year, but in November he was only eighth in the Japan Cup behind Screen Hero.

The great expectations for Rainbow View will be under scrutiny for the first time this season at Newmarket on Sunday when George Strawbridge's European juvenile filly champion tackles 14 rivals in the 1000 Guineas Stakes. The undefeated daughter of Dynaformer is Ladbrokes' 11-10 favorite in the $557,000 one-mile fillies classic as she attempts to add her name to a list of winners that includes Hatoof, Miesque, and Pebbles.

An upset may be brewing in the 201st running of the 2000 Guineas Stakes at Newmarket on Saturday when 17 3-year-olds line up for the $557,000 classic mile. Holes can be shot in many of the favorites, while the antepost choice himself, Delegator, must overcome a jinx that has seen 14 of the last 15 Guineas favorites fail to succeed.

Two hundred years ago this Saturday, eight 3-year-old colts lined up at the far end of the Rowley Mile at Newmarket Racecourse in Suffolk, England. About a minute and 40 seconds later, Wizard became the first winner of the 2000 Guineas, a race that radically altered the way in which the world of Thoroughbred racing was structured.