Spectacular Me wins Claiming Crown Distaff Dash as favorite

Spectacular Me got a perfect trip and ride under the red-hot Jose Ortiz when coming through as the favorite Saturday in the $106,700 Claiming Crown Distaff Dash, the first of nine straight Claiming Crown events at Gulfstream Park in south Florida.

Trained by Steve Klesaris for Winning Move Stable, Spectacular Me returned $5.80 after rallying through a midstretch opening to complete five furlongs in 56.91 seconds over a firm turf course. My Sister Caro was second, 1 3/4 lengths behind the winner and another three-quarters of a length before Lady Coventry in third in a field of 11.

Spectacular Me, a 6-year-old by Catienus, now has won 15 of 47 starts and earned $471,234, with Klesaris being her sixth trainer. The gray mare was bred by the University of Kentucky.