Etc. . . .

Nayef has been withdrawn from Saturday's Champion Stakes at Newmarket with a cough. According to trainer Marcus Tregoning, Nayef will not run again this year but is expected to challenge for the Dubai World Cup in March. . . . Keeneland's second October yearling sale, reduced to one session from last year's two, grossed $1,606,400 for 103 yearlings, down substantially from 2001, when 338 head sold for $5,092,900. A pair of $150,000 Unbridled's Song yearlings - a colt out of Belonging and a filly out of Timotara - topped the sale, which had an average price of $15,596 (up 4 percent) and a median of $6,000 (up 15 percent). . . . Suffolk Downs and Magna Entertainment Corp. have ended talks over a proposed lease agreement. They had seemed close to a deal in 2001, but Suffolk's directors became divided, with those in opposition hopeful the Massachusetts legislature will approve slot machines for the track. . . . Entepreneur, a New York-bred stakes winner, has been retired and will enter stud for 2003 at The Stallion Park in Millbrook, N.Y. He will have a fee of $3,500 live foal. . . . Royal Ascot will be a five-day meeting again next year, from June 17 to June 21. Traditionally four days, it was expanded this year as part of Britain's celebration of Queen Elizabeth's 50th anniversary on the throne.