Epsom Derby winner Authorized outlasted Dylan Thomas in the Group 1, $1.04 million Juddmonte International Stakes at York on Tuesday, staying on stoutly to defeat the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes champ by a rather comfortable length.

Myboycharlie charged to the head of the European 2-year-old class at Deauville on Sunday with a last-to-first victory in the Groupo1, $471,000 Prix Morny.

The intergenerational battle between Alexandrova and Peeping Fawn in the Group 1 Yorkshire Oaks on Wednesday is also an intramural conflict between the two best fillies in Aidan O'Brien's barn. The 1 1/2-mile test was won last year by Alexandrova, who will be running for the first time since Mandesha ended her three-race Group 1 winning streak in the Prix de l'Opera last Oct. 1. At the same time, Peeping Fawn will be looking to extend a three-race Group 1 streak of her own in York's $575,000 filly and mare contest.

Literato rallied from last to first at Deauville on Saturday to win a contentious renewal of the Group 2, $175,000 Prix Guillaume d'Ornano for 3-year-olds. The 6-5 favorite, Literato rallied under a perfectly timed ride from Christophe Lemaire to defeat Spirit One by a half-length, covering the 1 1/4 miles in 2:03.90 on good ground. Loup Breton finished 2 1/2 lengths back in third and three-quarters of a length in front of the previously unbeaten El Comodin.

Dylan Thomas and Notnowcato renew their rivalry in the Group 1, $990,000 Juddmonte International Stakes at York on Tuesday while Epsom Derby winner Authorized attempts to get back on the winning track while seeking to redeem the tarnished reputation of this year's 3-year-olds.

The Juddmonte highlights opening day of York's three-day Ebor meeting, which runs through Thursday.

Four of Europe's very best 2-year-olds will clash Sunday in the $470,000 Prix Morny, a six-furlong Group 1 dash that is Deauville's premier juvenile contest.

NEW YORK - There seems to have been some difficulty at Saratoga this month in getting horses into and out of the gate in good order. Some horses have refused to enter their starting stalls. Others have entered only after the gate crew have employed either the most duplicitous means of trickery or simply brute force to get them to do so. Still others, once properly positioned, refuse to do any running at all, or behave so petulantly as to require their dismissal from the business at hand.

The medieval city of York becomes a thoroughly up-to-date place each year during the third week of August when its famous racecourse just outside the city walls runs three races that have a long history of producing big race winners during autumn.

Trainers at this time of the year are beginning to think about which season-ending finale to aim for with their best horses. York offers them a perfectly placed springboard from which they might choose.

Last Saturday's Arlington Million card should provide plenty of clues to the outcome of this Saturday's Group 2, $175,000 Prix Guillaume d'Ornano, a 1 1/4-mile race for 3-year-olds at Deauville that annually competes with the Secretariat Stakes for entries.

The Guillaume d'Ornano is headed by French Derby runner-up Literato, a Jean-Claude Rouget trainee who finished a neck in front of Secretariat winner Shamdinan in that 1 5/16-mile French classic. Previously the winner of the 1 1/4-mile Group 3 Prix La Force, Literato will be ridden by Christophe Lemaire.

Saoirse Abu sprung a 25-1 filly surprise in the $408,000 Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh on Sunday, denying the 1-2 favorite, Henrythenavigator, with a come-again one-length victory in the European season's first Group 1 race for 2-year-olds.