Race favorite Lemon Pop defended his title in a thrilling finish at this year's Champions Cup, becoming the first horse to win consecutively since Transcend in 2010 and 2011, when the race was known as the Japan Cup Dirt. Named the 2023 Best Dirt Horse, Lemon Pop's accolades include three JRA-G1 wins, notably the 2023 February Stakes (dirt, 1,600m), and three NAR titles from the 2023-2024 Mile Championship Nambu Hai (Listed, dirt, 1,600m) and the 2024 Sakitama Hai (Listed, dirt, 1,400m). This race marked his retirement from racing, with plans to stand as a stallion at Darley Japan Stallion Complex in 2025. Trainer Hiroyasu Tanaka achieved his third JRA-G1 victory with Lemon Pop, following last year's Champions Cup, while jockey Ryusei Sakai celebrated his sixth G1 win after triumphing in this year's Takamatsunomiya Kinen with Mad Cool.

Lemon Pop, a six-year-old son of Lemon Drop Kid, started from an inner gate and quickly took the lead, setting a pace that he maintained throughout the race. Despite a strong late challenge from Wilson Tesoro, Lemon Pop secured a photo-finish victory, defending his title with tenacity.

Jockey Ryusei Sakai remarked, "It was his last race and I’m glad that he was able to end his career with the best result. I wanted to ride him as smoothly as possible without any loss and was ready for any challenge. I thought we had won but wasn’t quite sure because Wilson Tesoro came from behind with great speed, so I’m glad we were able to win. Lemon Pop is a strong horse—he has won six out of six G1-class races in Japan—there’s no other horse like him, and I’m proud to have been on his back."

Wilson Tesoro, last year's runner-up and the second choice, made a significant effort from eighth place, switching to the outside in the final stretch to nearly catch Lemon Pop, finishing just a nose behind for second place.

Dura Erede, the ninth choice, managed to secure third place again this year, running a solid race from mid-division and finishing 1-1/2 lengths behind Wilson Tesoro.

Other Notable Performances:

Hagino Alegrias (4th): Ran consistently in mid-pack but couldn't match the top three.
Peptide Nile (5th): Chased the leaders but was overtaken in the final 100 meters.
Sunrise Zipangu (6th): Made a move from further back but lacked the final kick.
Ater Astraea (7th): Despite showing speed late, started too far back to challenge.
Peisha Es (8th): Held a good position but faded in the last 200 meters.
Gloria Mundi (9th): Wide throughout, checked in the stretch, couldn't advance.
Mitono O (10th): Initially led with Lemon Pop but couldn't sustain the pace.
Crown Pride (11th): Tracked early but weakened late in the race.
Seraphic Call (12th): Made progress but couldn't maintain his late run.
Mick Fire (13th): Poor start and never really contended.
T O Drefong (14th): Ran wide and faded after the third corner.
Gaia Force (15th): Advanced in the backstretch but showed little in the stretch.
Suleyman (16th): Started well but couldn't keep up after the third corner.