KYOTO -- Back in form, T.M. Opera O again ran like the champion he is, winning his third consecutive Emperor's Cup on Sunday by a half-length over Irish-bred Meisho Doto. The crowd was behind the 5-year-old chestnut, pushing him to the fore at the betting window as the odds-on favorite despite a disappointing fourth-place finish in his last race, the April 1 Hanshin Cup (G2). This time there was no holding him back. Easily flipping up a gear in the stretch, T.M. Opera O pulled to the front with 300 meters left in the 3,200-meter marathon and resumed his spot in the winner's circle. His winning time was 3 minutes 16.2 seconds.
Second-choice Narita Top Road (Soccer Boy -- Floral Magic, by Affirmed), who had held off a challenge for nearly 300 meters, was finally caught by third-pick Meisho Doto (Bigstone -- Princess Reema, by Affirmed) three strides before the wire to finish a half-length behind in third.
Maquereau ended in fourth place, a length and a half behind Narita Top Road.