Vesper Martini, under jockey Roman Cruz, captured Sunday’s $15,776 Don Drake Memorial Stakes at Will Rogers Downs

© Jack Coady Photography

By H. David Smith, StallioneSearch

CLAREMORE, OK—NOVEMBER 9, 2025—Vesper Martini fought off a determined bid from Captain Fancy to capture Sunday’s $15,776 Don Drake Memorial Stakes at Will Rogers Downs, a 350-yard event for three-year-old and older Paints and Appaloosas.

With Roman Cruz in the irons, the bay filly by Painted Turnpike out of Martinis N Bikinis, by Red Storm Cat, broke sharply, engaged early, and held firm to prevail by a neck.

Trained by Dee Keener for owner 918 Bloodstock, the Oklahoma-bred filly stopped the clock in 17.662 seconds, earning a 91 speed index over a fast track with a 20-mph crosswind.

Bred by Kelly J. Garvan and Lloyd Yother, Vesper Martini claimed the winner’s share of $9,414, boosting her earnings total to $147,618 while adding another stakes victory to her growing resume.

Captain Fancy, ridden by Juan Pulido, finished a game second after breaking alertly and battling throughout. The Heber Deyta-Melendez-trained filly, who is also owned by Deyta-Melendez, earned $3,138 for the runner-up effort.

The Oklahoma-bred daughter of Im the Captain Now from the Major Rime mare Nd Bunny Jet was bred by Randal E. Schwartz and continued her consistent form with another top performance against older rivals. A multiple stakes winner, she has earned $52,915 in 13 career starts.

Sheza A Hot Secret, with Angel O. Ramirez aboard, finished third for owner Shonte R. Mata and trainer Jesus Ruben Ruiz. The Oklahoma-bred filly by Mhm Hotwire out of Sheza Royal Secret, by SF Royal Quick Flash, earned $1,726 after maintaining a steady pace throughout.

Bred by Dean and Tonya Lester, Sheza A Hot Secret continues to prove her competitiveness in Paint racing after stepping up from a $10,000 Claiming win in her last start on October 14. She has earned $34,134.

The pari-mutuel payoffs were Vesper Martini ($8.20) to win, $2.40 to place, and $2.10 to show; Captain Fancy ($2.10) to place and $2.10 to show; and Sheza A Hot Secret ($4.80) to show. The $2 exacta (3-6) returned $8.60, the $0.50 trifecta (3-6-5) paid $16.85, and the $0.10 superfecta (3-6-5-2) returned $4.70.

Completing the field were Chief Iron Eagle, Big Beautiful Bertha, and Turnpike Special D.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Would you like more industry news delivered directly to your inbox? Click here to sign up.