Better Lucky rerouted to Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint

The connections of Better Lucky were hoping to run their Grade 1-winning filly against males in the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Mile. But when relegated to seven-deep in the Mile, a race that drew 29 pre-entrants, Better Lucky will be rerouted to the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint, for which she was also pre-entered.

The Filly and Mare Sprint drew only 11 pre-entrants, so Better Lucky is assured a spot in that seven-furlong race.

Better Lucky is a multiple Grade 1 winner going a mile on turf but did beat a pair of Grade 1 winners – My Miss Aurelia and Grace Hall – in the Shine Again Stakes going seven furlongs on dirt at Saratoga. Better Lucky came back to finish fourth in the Grade 1 Ballerina, 8 1/2 lengths behind probable Filly and Mare Sprint favorite Artemis Agrotera.

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“This will most likely be the final race of her career. She’s always run well on the dirt. She’s got it in her to run a big race,” said trainer Tom Albertrani, who added that a fast pace like the one in the Shine Again would benefit Better Lucky.

Albertrani said Javier Castellano, who rode her to victory in the Shine Again, will ride Better Lucky in the Filly and Mare Sprint.