Dry Martini breaks through

Dry Martini finally earned his first stakes victory with a hard-fought one-length decision over Rehoboth in Monday's $100,000 Memorial Day Handicap at Calder.

Dry Martini, a 4-year-old son of Slew Fin Fizz, entered the Grade 3 Memorial Day Handicap sporting a string of five straight triple-digit Beyer Speed Figures but had only one allowance victory to show for those efforts, dating back to the fall of 2006. But, under a heady ride by jockey Elvis Trujillo, Dry Martini rallied along the inside around the second turn, angled out to continue his bid through the stretch, and after overtaking a stubborn Too Many Toyz withstood a final surge from Rehoboth.

Rehoboth, a three-time stakes winner here at 3, also lagged off the early pace, which was set by Rexson's Rose and pressed by both Too Many Toyz and Siphon City. Rehoboth rallied just behind the winner leaving the final turn, angled inside to continue his bid at midstretch, but hung near the end, although he did narrowly outfinish Too Many Toyz by a nose to be second.

Siphon City, 37-1 despite being the defending champion, contested the pace three wide for six furlongs, then tired badly and finished last a field of eight older horses.

Dry Martini covered 1 1/8 miles in 1:46.41 over a fast track and paid $3.60.