A Stag party in Woodward?

A European invader that has a meager three wins in 20 career starts will take on America's finest handicap division in Saturday's Grade I Woodward Stakes at Belmont Park.

Running Stag is the name of the nag that will stand in the same starting gate with leading Horse of the Year candidate Skip Away, Pacific Classic victor Free House, Travers Stakes winner Coronado's Quest and Multi-Grade stakes garner Gentlemen.

The son of Cozzene may wonder what the heck he's doing occupying a stall in the same starting gate as the equine fearsome foursome and may very well be as close as he'll ever get to them before the starter springs the gate in the $500,000 race.

Although the European representative may be overmatched and outrun on the Belmont tan Saturday, others from over the pod will command attention and respect as they invade for Breeders' Cup engagements on Nov. 7.

Leading the Euro-charged contingent is a Juvenile Fillies candidate, four Mile makers and five tough turfers for the Turf.

For the Juvenile Fillies, a daughter of Storm Cat comes to the states on a perfect 2-for-2 record. Calando is out of the Epsom Oaks winner Diminuendo.

Nine of the 14 editions of the Breeders' Cup Mile have been won by foreign runners. Bookend between the inaugural 1984 winner Royal Heroine was Last Tycoon ('86), two-time winner Miesque ('87 & '88), Steinlen ('89), Royal Academy ('90, Barathea ('94), Ridgewood Pearl ('95) and last year's Spining World.

This year, recent Ascot winner Intikhab, England's outsider Muhtathir, Irish Guineas winner Desert Prince and Japan's Taiki Shuffle will challenge the yanks in the Mile on the green.

Half of the 14 Breeders' Cup Turf's have been won by foreign-breds. Again, the first Turf in 1984 was won by an invader with Lashkari lighting the tote board at $108.80 for the upset score.

Pebbles followed in the hoofsteps of the English-bred with a victory the next year at Aqueduct for another Great Britain-bred win. The Irish-bred Theatrical took the Turf on the Hollywood Park lawn in 1987, then in 1990 another British-bred scored with In The Wings at Belmont Park.

In 1993 French-bred Kotashaan won at Santa Anita, then back-to-back Irish-breds won with Northern Spur in 1995 and Pilsudski in '96.

This year the "over the pond" gang is loaded for bear. Five top Turf contenders will take on defending champion Chief Bearhart and an American team of turfers. France's "now" horse Sagamix along with French and Irish Derby winner Dream Well invade as well as 'Arc-bound High-Rise.

Daylami previewed the European clout by winning the Man 'O War last week at Belmont and if he returns for the Turf will be a proven American victor. But, the Euro-monster is Swain. He ran Silver Charm to a photo-finish win in Dubai and this contender is peaking at the right time, having won with authority in his recent outings in preparation for his stateside invasion at Churchill Downs.

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