Can the Man colt goes gate-to-wire in $125,000 Jefferson Cup

Spectacular Gem earns his first stakes win in the Sept. 28 Jefferson Cup – Coady photo

Spectacular Gem collected his first stakes win on Saturday evening at Churchill Downs when the 3-year-old Can the Man colt led the entire nine furlongs of the $125,000 Jefferson Cup S. on the turf.

The 3-year-old, owned by Candie Baker, earned redemption after getting disqualified from victory in his previous start, the $200,000 Caesars S. at Indiana Grand on Sept. 4.

“This was a bit of redemption tonight for him after getting taken down last time,” said trainer Jimmy Baker, Candie’s husband. “After the Caesars, we decided if we went to the Jefferson Cup we’d take off the blinkers because he would be going the extra furlong. That really helped him. He worked well last week without them and proved his talent tonight.”

Spectacular Gem showed his speed right from the outset, jumping out to a length and a half lead that he held virtually the entire trip, winning officially by 1 ¾ lengths in 1:48.14 on the firm turf.

The $75,950 winner’s share upped Spectacular Gem’s earnings to $161,920 from a record of 11-3-1-3.

Out of the Malabar Gold mare Blackhawk Honey, Spectacular Gem was bred in Kentucky by Ledgelands LLC and Andrew Ritter.

Can the Man has had an excellent September, with four new stakes horses, including Mexican Grade 1 winner Mexican Wonder Boy, and more than 10 individual new maiden winners.