Lucky Lilac Lands Osaka Hai at Hanshin

Lucky Lilac found a lucky opening between rivals in deep stretch and ran on to victory in the Osaka Hai (G1) April 5 at Hanshin Racecourse, promising good things for the remainder of the season.

With Mirco Demuro at the controls, the 5-year-old Orfevre mare survived a late bid by Chrono Genesis to score by a neck. The favorite, Danon Kingly, led the way, then persevered to finish third as the 2,000 meters (about 1 1/4 miles) went in 1:58.4 on firm turf—just 0.2 seconds slower than the race record established by Suave Richard in 2018.

Danon Kingly and the fourth-, fifth-, and sixth-place finishers all were sired by Deep Impact, whose death in July rocked the Japanese breeding industry.

Lucky Lilac, bred at Northern Farm and campaigned by Sunday Racing, is also royally bred. Orfevre, the 2011 Japanese Triple Crown winner and Horse of the Year, finished an agonizing second in the 2012 Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1). Lucky Lilac's dam, Lilacs and Lace, won the 2011 Central Bank Ashland Stakes (G1) at Keeneland before finishing 12th in the Kentucky Oaks (G1).

Lucky Lilac broke cleanly and took back as Danon Kingly and Jinambo made the early going. Saving ground, Demuro needed to find a seam as they straightened for the stretch run and got one as Jinambo tired. Edging by on Danon Kingly's outside, Lucky Lilac outfinished Chrono Genesis through the closing strides.

The race was run without spectators, in accordance with protocols designed to combat the spread of COVID-19.

"I really miss the fans that were unable to come and watch the race," Demuro said. "But it's always a great feeling to be able to win a grade 1 race. Lucky Lilac was well prepared for coming into this race after a prep at Nakayama, where she found the uphill still a little tough at the finish. She was definitely very strong and fit this time."

In her season debut March 1, Lucky Lilac finished second behind Danon Kingly in the Nakayama Kinen (G2). Demuro indicated the Osaka Hai result is a sign of maturity, building on a win in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup (G1) in November at Kyoto and a strong second-place finish in the Longines Hong Kong Vase (G1) in December at Sha Tin Racecourse.

"She was really sharp coming out of the gate, and we were a little (more) forwardly positioned than expected," Demuro said. "But the race went perfectly for us, and she was really concentrating and taking the bit after the third corner. We were lucky to find a nice opening at the stretch.

"She's a mare, but not timid, and has the strength to face the top males in the future."

There is room among the top ranks in Japan, thanks to some notable retirements at the end of the 2019 season. Lucky Lilac also earned a berth in the Irish Champion Stakes (G1) in September with the victory.

The two Japanese Derby (G1) winners in the field, Wagnerian and Makahiki, finished fifth and 11th, respectively.