Japan: Lemon Pop notches second consecutive Champions Cup

Lemon Pop earned an historic victory in his final career start in Sunday’s Grade 1 Champions Cup at 1 1/8 miles on dirt at Chukyo Racecourse in Japan, holding off a late run from Wilson Tesoro to prevail by a nose.

Lemon Pop, who will enter stud in Japan in 2025, became the second horse to win the $1.55 million Champions Cup in consecutive years. Lemon Pop won the race in 2023, the year he was honored as Japan’s outstanding dirt horse. Transcend won the Champions Cup in 2010 and 2011, when it was known as the Japan Cup Dirt.

Lemon Pop, who paid $5 as the favorite in American pools, won his seventh consecutive race in Japan in the last 24 months on Sunday.

Ridden by Ryusei Sakai for trainer Hiroyasu Tanaka, Lemon Pop set the pace in the Champions Cup, run at 1 1/8 miles.

“It was his last race and I’m glad that he was able to end his career with the best result,” Sakai told Japan Racing Association publicity. “I thought we had won, but wasn’t quite sure because Wilson Tesoro came from behind with great speed.”

Wilson Tesoro (7-2) closed from eighth of 16 to finish second for the second consecutive year. On Sunday, Wilson Tesoro finished 1 1/2 lengths in front of 15-1 Dura Erede.

Lemon Pop, a 6-year-old Kentucky-bred by Lemon Drop Kid, won 13 of 18 starts. Lemon Pop’s seven-race winning streak at the end of his career included races at distances ranging from seven furlongs to 1 1/8 miles. He was not successful overseas, finishing 10th in the Group 1 Golden Shaheen Sprint in Dubai in March 2023, and 12th in the Group 1 Saudi Cup in Saudi Arabia last February.

Lemon Pop will enter stud at Sheikh Mohammed’s Darley Japan Stallion Complex. Lemon Pop raced for Sheikh Mohammed’s Godolphin Racing.

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