Motivator, currently the second favorite for the Epsom Derby, will prep for the 1 1/2-mile classic in the Group 2, $275,000 Dante Stakes at York on Thursday. He will again face off with Albert Hall, the horse who ran second to him in last October's Group 1 Racing Post Trophy.

Fracas tuned back a good Group 2 field at Leopardstown in the $160,000 Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial on Sunday to earn his way into the Epsom Derby on June 4.

Still undefeated after three starts, Fracas (3-1), a son of In the Wings, scored a short head victory over Alayan under a gutty ride from Jamie Spencer. Winner of the Group 3 Sandown Classic Trial, Fracas covered the 1 1/4 miles in 2:16.48 on ground labeled soft to heavy. The 3-2 favorite, Grand Central, trained by Aidan O'Brien, was third, a length behind the runner-up.

Kong landed his spot in the June 4 Epsom Derby lineup with a game victory in the Group 3, $113,000 Lingfield Derby Trial on Saturday, holding off the late challenge of favored French invader Walk in the Park by a neck.

A son of Sadler's Wells trained by John Dunlop, Kong (9-2) assumed a narrow lead at the three-sixteenths pole and maintained his edge to the line under an enterprising ride from Richard Quinn. Kong had narrowly lost his last start, a 1 3/8-mile Newbury maiden race on April 15, under what appeared to be an overconfident ride by Quinn.

Aidan O'Brien will attempt to follow up on the Dee Stakes victory of Gypsy King on Friday at Chester when he saddles Grand Central and Down Mexico Way in Sunday's Group 2 Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial at Leopardstown.

Gypsy King came from last to first to snatch the 1 1/4-mile, 75-yard Group 3 Dee Stakes on the wire by a short head from Im Spartacus despite racing greenly early on.

Ouija Board, the Eclipse Award-winning winner of the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf at Lone Start Park last fall, has suffered a setback in England and will likely miss her seasonal debut in the Coronation Cup at Epsom on June 3.

Trainer Ed Dunlop said that Ouija Board, owned by Lord Derby, has developed a "small bony growth on her left foreleg," causing her to miss some work. He hopes to have her back to the races in time for the Group 1 Pretty Polly Stakes at The Curragh on June 25, with her long-range goal remaining the Breeders' Cup Turf at Belmont on Oct. 29.

Virginia Waters gave Aidan O'Brien, Mrs. John Magnier and Kieren Fallon a classic double at Newmarket on Sunday with a devastating 2 1/2-length triumph in the $617,000 1000 Guineas Stakes.

Footstepsinthesand gave jockey Kieren Fallon his first big race score since joining Aidan O'Brien as Ballydoyle's first-string rider with an impressive victory in the 2000 Guineas Stakes at Newmarket on Saturday.

Fallon had his choice between Footstepsinthesand, an undefeated horse who went off at 6-1, and his Group 1-winning stablemate, Oratorio, and he chose right. Always well placed, Footstepsinthesand led at the three-sixteenths pole and ran on strongly under Fallon to record a 1 1/4-length victory in the $608,000 classic over a mile.

Footstepsinthesand gave Kieren Fallon his first big race score since having joined Aidan O'Brien as Ballydoyle's first string rider with an impressive victory in the 2000 Guineas Stakes at Newmarket on Saturday.

Karen's Caper can use her Nell Gwyn Stakes triumph two weeks ago as a springboard to victory in Sunday's $650,000 1000 Guineas Stakes at Newmarket.

Dubawi has become the latest incarnation of the proverbial "talking horse" in Newmarket this week as he prepares to put his tall reputation on the line in Saturday's classic 2000 Guineas Stakes.

Having arrived on Monday from Dubai, where he had wintered for Godolphin Racing, Dubawi, listed at 11-10 odds by several British bookmakers, is being described as unbeatable in some circles. But it must be remembered that only one Guineas favorite - Zafonic in 1993 - has been successful over the straight Rowley mile in the last 15 years.