FUNABASHI (Kyodo) -- Fifth-favorite Regaleira became the first three-year-old mare to win the Arima Kinen in 64 years on Sunday, pipping 10th-choice Shahryar by a nose to seize her second G1 victory.

The 2,500-meter race at Nakayama Racecourse was run in the wake of Friday's withdrawal of the original favorite and last year's winner Do Deuce, whose last career start was dashed due to lameness in his right foreleg.

Jockey Keita Tosaki claimed his second Arima Kinen win in a race that lacked pace through the opening 1,000 meters, led until the last corner by second-favorite Danon Decile and third-pick Bellagio Opera.

Regaleira and Shahryar surged in the final stretch with the winner, positioned inside, capturing the race in a photo finish in 2 minutes, 31.8 seconds.

"I really want to thank Regaleira," Tosaki said. "I thought the start was key and felt we fell behind a bit, but she was able to find a higher gear and managed to run smoothly...(But) I couldn't tell at all whether we'd won or not."

"I'm sure this win by a 3-year-old mare provides lots to be excited about for the future."

Danon Decile was a length-and-half behind Shahryar in third and Bellagio Opera fourth, while favorite Urban Chic was sixth.