Miami Mile Potter's 1st graded win

MIAMI - Bob's Proud Moment, frustrated by numerous near-misses in stakes races here over the past two seasons, finally had things go his way when he posted a neck victory over 21-1 Dancing Master in Monday's Grade 3, $150,000 at Calder. Southern Cal, the 7-5 favorite, finished third after tiring badly in late stretch.

Bob's Proud Moment, a 4-year-old son of Proud and True trained by Doug Potter, overcame traffic trouble when he was steadied behind Gin Rummy Champ at the quarter pole before finding a clear alley and outfinishing Dancing Master. Dancing Master checked behind the winner entering the far turn and closed well.

As expected, Southern Cal sprinted off to a long lead over the yielding course. He maintained the lead into the stretch, but shortened stride badly while also drifting in late stretch.

Bob's Proud Moment covered a mile in 1:38.18 over the wet course and paid $9.80 as the second choice in a field of nine. He was ridden to victory by Manoel Cruz.

"He's had some tough beats in big races," said Potter, who trains Bob's Proud Moment. "Like when Eddington beat him in a photo last year in the Calder Derby. I've won stakes before, but this is my first graded win in 13 years training."

Bob's Proud Moment is not Breeders' Cup eligible and as a result took home only $45,000 of the $150,000 purse.

The yielding turf course also helped the late runners in the $100,000 Aspidistra Handicap, with Chancey Light outfinishing Skip Command by a half-length to register the upset. R Obsession, the 6-5 favorite, finished last in the field of eight fillies and mares.

Chancey Light, a daughter of Colony Light trained by David Brownlee, paid $13.20 registering her second straight stakes win. She had captured the restricted Georgia Peaches Stakes by three lengths on Aug. 6. She finished the one mile Aspidistra in 1:39.39

You Glitter Girl set the pace to midstretch before tiring badly. Chancey Light angled out widest into the stretch after racing near the back of the pack for nearly six furlongs and outfinished Skip Command, who also came from far back.

"I felt confident going into the race because she loves soft ground," said Brownlee.