Top favorite Durandal successfully defended his title with a two-length victory over Dance in the Mood at the Mile Championship on Sunday.
After making the final turn at Kyoto Racecourse, Durandal, jockeyed by Kenichi Ikezoe, had a steady outside gain through the homestretch to move clear of Dance in the Mood and cross the wire in 1 minute, 33.0 seconds.
Dance in the Mood, runnerup at the Oct. 31 autumn Tenno-sho, was able to claim the lead in the 1,600-meter sprint race only briefly and finished second again. Telegnosis took third 1 1/4 lengths back.