American Miss best this time

Saturday's $75,000 Nancy's Glitter Handicap at Calder proved the old adage that there is nothing certain in life but death and taxes.

Despite entering the Nancy's Glitter the undisputed leader of her division and starting as the prohibitive 1-9 favorite, Pampered Princess could not get by the pacesetting American Miss, who upset the odds-on favorite by 1 1/2 lengths under jockey Manoel Cruz. Gentille Alouette rallied to finish third.

American Miss had finished third, beaten nearly eight lengths by Pampered Princess, in the Charon Stakes on June 12, but had rebounded to register an easy nine-length optional claiming victory 16 days later.

She was sent right to the lead by Cruz after breaking alertly in the Nancy's Glitter, set a modest pace, then maintained a clear advantage over Pampered Princess despite drifting a bit through late stretch.

Pampered Princess had won the Charon and Emergency Nurse Stakes by a combined 11 lengths in her only starts at the meeting.

American Miss, a daughter of Ameri Valay, is trained by former jockey Cecil Paul for his son D.K. Paul and J.C. Benjamin, both surgeons in Vero Beach, Fla. She covered 1 1/16 miles in 1:47.44 over a fast track and paid $26 to win.

"When the favorite didn't go with her early, she was able to open up a little and settle," said Paul, who indicated he has no particular race picked out for American Miss's next start.