Lukka Wins Club Hipico Falabella, Earns BC Mile Berth

Splitting horses in a furious stretch drive, Agricola Haras Jockey’s 3-year-old Lukka nipped stablemate Mi Elegido by a nose to win the May 28 Gran Premio Club Hipico Falabella (G1) at Club Hipico de Santiago. With this victory, the son of Lookin At Lucky   earned an automatic berth and fees paid in the Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1T) Nov. 4 at Santa Anita Park through the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series.

Trained by Patricio Baeza and ridden by Jorge Gonzalez, Lukka joins Al Muthana, winner of the L’Ormarins King’s Plate (G1) in South Africa in January, as the first horses to gain automatic berths into this year’s Breeders’ Cup Mile.

Lukka completed the 2,000 meters (about 1 1/4 miles) in 1:59.11 over a turf course listed as good.

Sent away as the 9-5 favorite in the 12-horse field, Lukka sat comfortably off the pace through the first half-mile in seventh place, while longshot Gamberetti shot to the lead, followed closely by 11-1 Mi Elegido, Netinna, and the filly Mama Lili.

As the field spread apart, Gonzalez aboard Lukka began a concerted drive inside the final quarter-mile and came off the rail to pass tiring horses, with stablemate Mama Lili just to his outside also making up significant ground. Jockey Gonzalo Ulloa desperately urged Mi Elegido to hold off the fast-closing Lukka but had to settle for second, with Mama Lili just a neck behind in third. The filly Costa Del Norte finished behind Mama Lili, and completed a sweep of the first four positions for trainer Baeza.

Today’s win was Lukka’s second consecutive group 1 victory. Showing his versatility, Lukka won the Gran Premio Hipodromo Chile (G1) at 2,200 meters (about 1 3/8 miles) on dirt April 29. Before that, he finished second in the El Derby (G1) on turf at Valparaiso Sporting Club in Santiago. Lukka has now won three races in nine starts.

As a part of the benefits of the Challenge Series, Breeders’ Cup will pay the entry fees for Lukka to start in the Breeders’ Cup Mile. Breeders’ Cup will also provide a travel allowance for all starters based outside of North America to compete in the World Championships.