Scottish Lassie still on course for Breeders' Cup Distaff

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Despite her fourth-place finish as the favorite in the Grade 1 Cotillion at Parx on Sept. 20, Scottish Lassie will still be pointed to the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Distaff at Del Mar on Nov. 1, trainer Jorge Abreu said Friday.

Scottish Lassie, who won the Grade 1 Coaching Club American Oaks by 15 1/4 lengths on July 20 at Saratoga on the lead, was sixth of seven down the backside in the Cotillion. While Abreu didn’t necessarily want Scottish Lassie on the lead, he wasn’t expecting her to be that far back under Joel Rosario.

Scottish Lassie was beaten 2 1/4 lengths by Clicquot.

“I just think he [Rosario] was so confident,” Abreu said. “He came back and said, ‘I’m sorry, but we’ll be very good for the next one.’ ”

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Abreu said Scottish Lassie would likely do all of her major preparation at Belmont Park before shipping to Southern California on Oct. 26.

Meanwhile, Abreu said Nelson Avenue, who won the Parx Dirt Mile earlier on that Sept. 20 card, will be pointed to the Grade 3, $175,000 Forty Niner Stakes going a one-turn mile at Aqueduct on Nov. 2.

“That horse is getting better,” Abreu said. “I think I’m going to run him one more time and then give him a break.”

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