Dorothy's Aurora key horse in first of two allowances

The highest-level races at Parx on Saturday are a pair of allowances that will be linked by a daily double.

The seventh race is a second-level allowance for Pennsylvania-bred fillies and mares at 5 1/2 furlongs. The eighth is a first-level statebred allowance in which trainer Steve Asmussen will send out his first Parx starter since last September.

Race 7: Second-level Pa.-bred allowance

KEY CONTENDERS

ISABELLA SWIFT (Last 3 Beyers 86-76-71)

If you handicap this race solely off last-out performances, Isabella Swift wins based on her 6 1/4-length open, first-level allowance score. Her 86 Beyer Speed Figure from that race is the second-highest lifetime in the field, and the 89 high figure of Estrella’s Girl came 15 races ago, and she has not topped 74 in her last four races.

But there is an issue of trust with Isabella Swift. Can she run that race back? A 4-year-old filly, she came into her last race with a 3-for-31 record and has never won consecutive races.

Her most recent outing was a bit odd, too. There was a long delay at the gate when second choice Haunted Vision was scratched after being cast in the gate. The favored Zippity Goomba could not keep pace with the early leaders, including Isabella Swift, but found her best stride in the stretch and was up to snag second by a nose while never a serious win threat.

DISCO CHICK (Last 3 Beyers 78-24-55)

◗ Disco Chick, a 3-year-old, has a lot of upside but will be returning only 11 days after winning her seasonal debut in a first-level statebred allowance. Her trainer, Mario Serey Jr., is 14 for 105 (13 percent) over the past five years with horses returning 10 to 12 days following their previous start, according to DRF ’s Formulator, so it is not an uncommon move for him. On July 13, he won a $7,500 claiming race with Atlantic Surfer, who was running back on 11 days’ rest.

◗ Disco Chick had a successful 2-year-old campaign at Parx, winning an open maiden race and just missing in two open, first-level allowance races. In her comeback win in a Pennsylvania-bred first-level allowance at six furlongs, Disco Chick laid down fast fractions and then was tired late, getting her final furlong in 13.60 seconds. She should appreciate the shorter distance here.

DOROTHY’S AURORA (Last 3 Beyers 75-69-78)

◗ The Penn National-based Dorothy’s Aurora is very consistent. Now 5, she hasn’t finished worse than third in seven starts this year and has won 4 of 15 in 2013-14.

◗ Her trainer, Timothy Kreiser, leads the Penn National standings by 20 wins. In a change of jockeys, the Penn-based Andrew Wolfsont takes over for William Otero, who has a mount in the $60,000 Desert Vixen Stakes at Monmouth Park on Saturday.

◗ Dorothy’s Aurora’s wins traditionally have come when she is close to the pace, and she might have been too far back last time when second at this level.

In a wide-open race with plenty of early lick, Dorothy’s Aurora might be able to spring a mild upset from just off the leaders. If so, she could lead to a reasonable daily double. Disco Chick and Isabella Swift can be used as savers in case one of them clears early.

Race 8: First-level Pa.-bred allowance

KEY CONTENDERS

DUVAL (Last 3 Beyers 82-80-82)

◗ Trained by Asmussen, Duval should rule a heavy favorite here. He just missed in a Churchill Downs allowance at this seven-furlong distance two back and was third in a first-level optional claimer at Churchill in his most recent start June 20 over a muddy track.

◗ He ships in off two Belmont Park workouts, and Asmussen is 16 for 61 (26 percent) at Parx over the last five years, according to DRF ’s Formulator.

◗ Parx leading rider Frankie Pennington has the mount.

GRASSHOPPIN (Last 3 Beyers 77-76-82)

Grasshoppin looks like the clear second choice in here and has three positive handicapping angles going for him.

◗ After finishing second in three of his four career starts, trainer Serey adds blinkers to Grasshoppin’s equipment. This can often lead to significant improvement, especially with lightly raced horses.

◗ Grasshoppin also turns back in distance from three two-turn races to seven furlongs. This can often lead to a stronger finish than a horse has been showing going longer.

◗ Finally, Grasshoppin exits a productive race. He lost a neck decision after a long duel to the 1-2 favorite Page McKenney at this level June 15. It was 16 lengths back to third that day. Page McKenney returned to win a Pennsylvania-bred allowance July 7.

Although Duval will be hard to deny, Grasshoppin can be used to a lesser degree in the double.