The Breeders Cup program (Belmont Park, October 29) has lost two of its biggest drawcards. Hurricane Run and Afleet Alex may be out - yet the advertising splurge certainly isn't. The New York Racing Association (the same Association rumoured to be close to insolvency) has launched a $2-million marketing campaign less than 3 weeks before the event. The marketing mix includes television, radio, outdoor, Internet, and print advertising (inclusive of special sections in USA Today and the New York Daily News). Ad spend in New York alone will top US$600,000.