Looking like Breeders' Cup Mile for Better Lucky

ELMONT, N.Y. – Better Lucky, a multiple Grade 1 winner on turf against females, most likely will take on males in the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Mile on Nov. 1, trainer Tom Albertrani said Friday.

Albertrani said Better Lucky would be pre-entered for both the Mile and the Filly and Mare Sprint, a seven-furlong race on dirt, with her first preference being the Mile.

“We’re leaning more toward the Mile,” Albertrani said. “We think her better races are on the turf.”

In 2012, Better Lucky won the Grade 1 Matriarch at Hollywood Park and in 2013, she won the Grade 1 First Lady at Keeneland. She finished second in this year’s First Lady on Oct. 4.

Earlier this year, Better Lucky beat Grade 1 winners My Miss Aurelia and Grace Hall in winning the Shine Again Stakes on dirt at Saratoga, but she finished a well-beaten fourth in the Grade 1 Ballerina, also on dirt.

Albertrani said Better Lucky will make another try at the Grade 1 Matriarch, held this year at Del Mar on Nov. 30. Following that, she will be retired.