FUNABASHI, Chiba Pref. -- It was a fitting end to a century. A fitting end to a year. This year's best horse took the honors from start to finish.
Eight races the favorite, eight races the winner, T.M. Opera O, unbeaten this year, squeezed through a tight spot in the stretch for a photo-finish first place in the year's grand finale, the Arima Memorial Grand Prix.
Victory in the G1 finale Sunday at Nakayama Racecourse gave the Opera House-sired 4-year-old his sixth grade 1 win of his career. Claiming both Emperor's Cups, the Takarazuka Memorial, the Japan Cup and the Arima, T.M. Opera O became the first horse to win five G1s in a single year.
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