ELMONT, N.Y. - George Steinbrenner may not have his Yankees to root for in the World Series on the last weekend of October, but he will still have his sights set on a championship come Oct. 29.

Steinbrenner owns Sweet Symphony, the Grade 1-winning 3-year-old filly who will make her next start in the Grade 1, $2 million Breeders' Cup Distaff, her trainer, Bill Mott, confirmed Thursday. A victory in the Distaff could propel Sweet Symphony to an Eclipse Award in the 3-year-old filly division.

"If we're going to run, I don't know where else we'd run where we'd have anything to gain," Mott said from Saratoga. "Naturally, I'd like to redeem ourselves a little bit from the last one. I don't think the last race is an indication of her potential."

The last one was the Beldame on Oct. 1, when Sweet Symphony finished fourth, beaten 6 1/4 lengths by Ashado, last year's 3-year-old filly champion. Mott said Sweet Symphony was simply dull that day, though he had no specific reason why.

Before the Beldame, Sweet Symphony had won her first four starts, including the Grade 1 Alabama at Saratoga, which certainly put her in contention for the title in a division decimated by injuries.

While Jerry Bailey has ridden Sweet Symphony in all five of her races, it was unclear Thursday whether he would ride her back in the Distaff. Bailey is also the regular rider of Stellar Jayne, who won the Grade 1 Ruffian in her last start and is a three-time Grade 1 winner over Belmont's main track. Stellar Jayne, owned by Godolphin Racing, finished third in the Distaff last year.

Frankie Dettori, who rides many of Godolphin's Breeders Cup horses, could ride Stellar Jayne should Bailey stick with Sweet Symphony.

Sweet Symphony will be one of four starters Mott expects to have in the Breeders' Cup. Mott will run Shakespeare in the Turf and on Monday will pre-enter Sand Springs in the Mile and Wend in the Filly and Mare Turf. Mott said the participation of Sand Springs and Wend could depend on the condition of the turf course.

"Wend or Sand Springs would be affected by soft ground," Mott said.

Pletcher may have nine for Cup
Trainer Todd Pletcher said Thursday he could pre-enter as many as nine horses on Monday to this year's Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships.

Definite entrants are Flower Alley (Classic); Ashado and Capeside Lady (Distaff); Adieu (Juvenile Fillies); English Channel (Turf); Lion Tamer (Sprint); and Limehouse (Mile). Host (Mile) is probable, though owner Eugene Melnyk will have to pay a $200,000 supplemental fee. Honey Ryder is possible for the Filly and Mare Turf.

The only race Pletcher will not participate in is the $1.5 million Juvenile.

Capeside Lady, beaten two lengths when third in the Spinster, would be making the last start of her career in the Distaff.

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