SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (AP) — Favored Stars Above Me burst through an opening along the rail in mid-stretch and pulled away for a 2 1/4-length victory Wednesday in the $100,000 Coronation Cup at Saratoga Race Course.

Trained by Graham Motion, the 3-year-old Australian-bred daughter of Exceed And Excel was making her North American debut in the 5 1/2-furlong race after five previous starts in England.

Under jockey Irad Ortiz Jr., Stars Above Me saved ground behind dueling front-runners Ruslana and Recoupe before finding room in the deep stretch and hitting the wire in 1:01.03 on the turf course.

Stars Above Me paid $6.50, $3.70 and $3. Scatcapade returned $3.40 and $2.60, and Burn Control paid $4.60 for show.

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