Daughter of Lilacs and Lace Scores on Kyoto Debut

L’Arc (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), a 2-year-old daughter of 2011 GI Ashland S. winner Lilacs and Lace (Flower Alley), proved easily best in her career debut Saturday at Kyoto Racecourse, landing a 1600-meter turf test for newcomers by 3 1/2 decisive lengths as the 2-5 favorite.

Bred by Katsumi Yoshida’s Northern Farm, L’Arc was purchased by Bando Bokujo for ¥145 million (about US$1,421,569) and finished the fourth most expensive offering at the JRHA Select Yearling Sale last July. The bay filly was consigned to the auction by her breeder, whose consignment accounted for the four dearest youngsters, all by Deep Impact.

Raced by Kieffers Co. Ltd., L’Arc is the second foal for her dam, a $35,000 buyback out of the 2009 Keeneland September sale. Lilacs and Lace was originally campaigned by her breeders, Judy Hicks and Kathryn Nikkel, winning her maiden at fourth asking before adding the California Oaks over the Golden Gate Tapeta track two starts later. A majority interest in the filly was acquired shortly thereafter by New York-based owner Jim Covello, and, following a fourth in the GIII Bourbonette Oaks over the Turfway Poly, the filly belied odds of 48-1 to wire the field in the Ashland (video). Lilacs and Lace was sold privately to Northern Farm following her unplaced effort in the 2011 GI Kentucky Oaks. The mare is also represented by her first foal, the 3-year-old filly Lilac Rose (Jpn) (Henrythenavigator), who is unplaced in three runs to date.