Batucada, Miss New York scratched from Breeders' Cup Distaff

DEL MAR, Calif. – Batucada and Miss New York, both longshots, have been scratched out of Saturday’s $2 million Breeders’ Cup Distaff at Del Mar, bringing the field for the race down to eight horses.

Trainers Saffie Joseph Jr. (Batucada) and Jorge Delgado (Miss New York) both said their horses were scratched by the Breeders’ Cup veterinarians.

“The vets weren’t satisfied with her, I’ll respect their decision and scratch her,” said Joseph, who will still be represented in the race by Honor D Lady.

Batucada was coming off a second-place finish to Raging Sea in the Grade 2 Beldame at Aqueduct.

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Delgado said the vets weren’t happy with how Miss New York was traveling, and he said he too would respect their decision though he didn’t agree with it.

“She’s a filly that’s never been the best mover but she’s perfectly sound,” Delgado said. “I thought she could have run good the way she was training.”

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Miss New York, a Kentucky-bred daughter of Good Magic, has won her last two races, including the Twixt Stakes at Laurel Park.
Thorpedo Anna, who was listed as the 4-5 favorite for the Distaff, may now be a shorter price than that as she seeks her fifth Grade 1 win of the year and makes a bid to be in the Horse of the Year conversation.

– additional reporting by Mike Welsch

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