The Breeders' Cup Turf long has been a haven for European runners, won by some of the best grass horses ever to cross the Atlantic Ocean. But after 11 pre-entries for the $2 million Turf were released this week, the race looks more like a glorified domestic squabble than anything of the international flair to which Breeders' Cup fans are accustomed.

The 21st Breeders' Cup Mile drew 19 pre-entries, a typical number for what normally is the most oversubscribed race in the Breeders' Cup. But almost everyone who really wants to run may actually get to run.

There were 15 horses pre-entered for the 14 spots in the starting gate for the $1 million Breeders' Cup Sprint, with surprise entrant Bay Marvel being the lone horse initially excluded from the field. An allowance horse who has won his last three starts, Bay Marvel could get into the race if Domestic Dispute, who was also pre-entered in the Mile, starts in the Mile rather than the Sprint.

"Our first choice was the Mile, and the Sprint was the second preference," said Paddy Gallagher, who trains Domestic Dispute.

New York-based Breeders' Cup horses will have to train around the weather this week. On Tuesday, that meant a day of light exercise as heavy rains made for a sloppy Belmont main track.

Trainer Barclay Tagg had planned to work Classic contender on Tuesday, but instead just let him jog once the wrong way around the main track. Tagg said he thought the track "was too washed out, too dangerous up on the final turn."

Super Brand, the runner-up in last Sunday's WinStar Galaxy at Keeneland, will be supplemented to the $1 million Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf at Lone Star Park on Oct. 30, according to Barry Irwin, president of Team Valor Stables, the syndicate that owns the mare.

It will cost $200,000 to supplement Super Brand, a South African-bred, to the race.

In her second start in this country, Super Brand, trained by Kiaran McLaughlin, was beaten a half-length by Stay Forever in the Grade 2 WinStar.

The Breeders' Cup Sprint has lost one of its potential star attractions but likely picked up a new starter.

Pico Central, the nation's top sprinter, will not be supplemented to the $1.5 million Sprint at Lone Star Park on Oct. 30, trainer Paulo Lobo said Thursday, but P.T.'s Grey Eagle, the upset winner of the Grade 1 Ancient Title Handicap at Santa Anita last Sunday, will be supplemented to the Sprint, said his trainer, Craig Dollase.

It couldn't have taken but seconds after Azeri cruised to victory in last Sunday's Overbrook Spinster Stakes at Keeneland that the discussion began anew over whether she should continue to race against fillies and mares in the Distaff or challenge males in the Classic on Breeders' Cup Day Oct. 30 at Lone Star Park.

With a presidential election just around the corner and the war on terror continuing, many Americans - even horseplayers - have a heightened sense of nationalism these days.

The likely defection of the speedy Saint Liam from the $4 million Breeders' Cup Classic Oct. 30 at Lone Star Park changes the complexion of the race, and most likely benefits horses with sharp early speed, such as Ghostzapper and, most notably, Roses in May.

But to Dale Romans, the trainer of Roses in May, the absence of Saint Liam is not necessarily notable because of the pace. More importantly, Romans said Wednesday, it would remove a top contender from the race.

Because of the configuration of the Lone Star turf course, the 2004 Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf will be decided at 1 3/8 miles, an eighth of a mile farther than each of the last three renewals. And what a difference that extra furlong makes.