Calder: Rehoboth edges 'Halo'

A rainy Labor Day weekend might not have helped the local tourist industry in south Florida, but it sure was a blessing to trainer Frank Gomez, whose Rehoboth took advantage of the rain and registered a half-length victory over How's Your Halo in the $80,000 Carterista Handicap at Calder.

The 1 1/16-mile Carterista was originally carded for the turf but had to be switched to the main track because of week-long rains. Rehoboth ($6), who has never won on grass, made the most of the opportunity, rallying from well back to overtake a stubborn How's Your Halo in late stretch.

How's Your Halo, another who has never won on turf, set a fast pace and held gamely when displaced on the lead by Rehoboth at midstretch. He easily finished second, 4 1/2 lengths in front of Cheiron.

Rehoboth covered the distance in 1:45.93 under leading rider Manoel Cruz over a track upgraded from sloppy to fast during the course of the day. The win was the second straight for Rehoboth.