Dancing Forever has late kick

ELMONT, N.Y. - The Beyer Speed Figure pars for second-level allowance races and $50,000 claimers are virtually identical, and contenders from both sides of the fence are evenly matched in race 7 on Thursday, a $48,000 optional claimer at 1 1/4 miles on the inner turf.

The field of eight includes Dancing Forever and Tricky Causeway, who come off hard-fought victories against first-level allowance foes.

Dancing Forever ran his last three furlongs in under 35 seconds to get through that condition on his seventh try, and has trained well for Shug McGaughey since returning to Belmont.

The lightly raced Tricky Causeway has shown tactical versatility winning both his starts on firm turf: a maiden win from off the pace at Gulfstream despite being bounced around in deep stretch, and a front-running allowance score at 1 3/8 miles two starts later for trainer Jimmy Jerkens.

Privy Seal and Wallstreet Scandal were entered for the optional claiming price of $50,000, and are capable of contending if able to handle the distance.

Privy Seal, a veteran campaigner who has banked $427,845 in 35 starts, is 0 for 10 at this trip, but among those losses is a second in the listed Foundation Stakes as a 3-year-old in England. He stretches out for trainer Pat Quick, after rallying late at six furlongs eight days earlier.

Wallstreet Scandal hasn't lived up to the promise he showed at Belmont at 2, when he ran second in the Grade 2 Futurity on the main track and second in the Pilgrim Stakes on the inner turf. However, leading trainer Gary Contessa saw enough to claim the gelding for $35,000 first time back from a layoff.

"It's indicative of what's happened to the claiming game," said Contessa, explaining his choice of spots for Wallstreet Scandal. "I'd like to run him in a straight $50,000 claimer. That 'two other than' part of this race could make it tough."

Dynaglider and Too Risky have the best recent Beyer Figures by a narrow margin. Dynaglider is up in class and distance following a win for $35,000 at 1 1/16 miles. Too Risky has been erratic in three starts since returning from an extended absence.

Also entered are Single Mon, a two-time winner at 1 1/2 miles for Dale Romans, and Gigger, who spent last summer and fall in steeplechase races with little success for Tom Voss.

In race 8, Communicator takes on Shone, Holy Rock, Hunting, and Johannesburg Star in a tough preliminary allowance at 1 1/16 miles on the main track.