A Raving Beauty grabbed the lead at the break, inched clear at the head of the stretch and then had enough left to hold off Dona Bruja (ARG) by a neck to win the 21st running of the $400,000 First Lady (G1) for fillies and mares Saturday and earn a berth into the $2 million Maker’s Mark Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf (G1) at 1 3/8 miles on Nov. 3 at Churchill Downs.

Trained by Chad Brown and ridden by John Velazquez, A Raving Beauty covered the mile on a turf course labeled good in 1:37.78. It marked the second victory in the First Lady for Brown and Velazquez, who teamed to win the 2014 running with Dayatthespa.

A Raving Beauty led the field of nine through fractions of :24.40, :49.11 and 1:13.76 with Valadorna, stablemate Quidura (GB) and Crown Walk (GB) in closest pursuit. At the head of the lane, A Raving Beauty slipped away from her rivals and then held on for her second Grade 1 victory of 2018. Previously, she won the Just a Game at Belmont Park.

The victory was worth $240,000 and vaulted A Raving Beauty into millionaire status with a bankroll of $1,018,555 and a record of 22-6-3-3. She is a 5-year-old German-bred daughter of Mastercraftsman (IRE) out of the High Chaparral (IRE) mare Anabasis.

A Raving Beauty returned $8.40, $4.80 and $3.60. Dona Bruja, ridden by Declan Cannon, returned $11.40 and $7.40 and finished 2¼ lengths in front of Indian Blessing (GB) who paid $8.80 to show under Feargal Lynch.

Crown Walk was another neck back in fourth and was followed in order by Valadorna, Insta Erma, favored Quiodura, Off Limits (IRE) and One Liz.