Turf: Proud Man turns the tables

Proud Man, who has suffered some tough losses in major races during his career, finally came out on the right side of a close decision - he rallied to catch the 25-1 shot Hear No Evil in deep stretch to register a half-length victory in the $500,000 .

Proud Man was beaten a nose by Freefourinternet in the Grade 2 Kelso last fall at Belmont, a neck by Pyru in the Grade 3 Ft. Marcy the previous season, and a half-length by Kalu in the Grade 3 Hawthorne Derby at 3. But with Rene Douglas back aboard for the first time since his 3-year-old season, Proud Man rallied wide into the stretch and had the best closing kick to surge past the game Hear No Evil in the final strides of the 1 1/8-mile Sunshine Turf.

Special Matter rallied to finish third. Man From Wicklow, the tepid 5-2 favorite, trailed throughout and was never a factor. Silver Tree was scratched earlier in the day.

Proud Man is a 6-year-old son of Manlove. He is owned by the partnership of Roger Weiss, Robert Kaufman, and Stephen Weiss and trained by Christophe Clement. He covered the distance in 1:45.69 seconds over a firm course and returned $12.

"He's been a bit unlucky over the years but finally got lucky today," said Clement. "What he needs more than anything is a strong pace. When he gets a strong pace, he is a very good horse.

"The barn has been quiet during the first 30 days of the meet," the trainer said. "I've been resting a lot of my horses to set them up for the rest of the year. But being a Florida-bred I kept this one going for this race."

Clement said the Mervin Muniz Handicap (formerly the Explosive Bid) at Fair Grounds could be next on Proud Man's agenda.