Makahiki became the top 3-year-old in all of Japan on Sunday, winning the Japanese Derby and a ¥200 million check after a photo finish over Satono Diamond.
On a glorious afternoon at Tokyo Racecourse, the Deep Impact-sired Makahiki, who went off as the third choice in a full field of 18, held off Satono Diamond by a nose at the wire to capture the second leg in the Japanese triple crown.
Dee Majesty, winner of last month's Satsuki-sho, the first triple crown race, came from behind but fell a half-length short to settle for third.