Danny Dingle may exceed expectations

ALBANY, Calif. - Trainer Greg Gilchrist is downplaying the chances of Danny Dingle in Thursday's feature at Golden Gate Fields.

That's bad news for Danny Dingle's seven rivals in the first-level allowance race for 2-year-olds at six furlongs.

"He's probably no better than the third choice in there," said Gilchrist, who last week proclaimed that Frisco Belle, winner of Sunday's Star Ball Handicap, was overmatched and needed at least one more race under her belt to be at her best.

Danny Dingle only has the third-best Beyer Speed Figure in the field.

Sport Boy Tommy recorded back-to-back 82 and 83 Beyers before being claimed on Nov. 4 at Hollywood Park by northern California's leading trainer, Jerry Hollendorfer.

Sport Boy Tommy recorded only a 56 that day, but he stumbled at the start, rushed up, and faded badly in the final furlong of a seven-furlong race. His fractional time for six furlongs would make him very competitive here.

Flying Elvis recorded an 82 when he won his maiden at Bay Meadows on Oct. 16 after three starts at Del Mar. He was gelded before his maiden victory, which could explain the 32-point Beyer increase.

Gilchrist has said all along that Danny Dingle will be better routing than sprinting. He tried to enter Danny Dingle in a one-mile race, but the race didn't go because of a lack of entries.