Forest Danger returns at tough level

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Horses skipping an allowance condition are almost never considered a good bet. The exception to that rule may be Forest Danger when he takes on seven rivals, including the up-and-coming Primary Suspect, in Monday's $39,000 allowance feature at Gulfstream Park.

, who has not started since suffering his only defeat in the Grade 3 Withers last May 1, is still eligible for his third-level allowance condition. But when that race didn't fill, trainer Todd Pletcher opted to enter the speedy Forest Danger in Monday's four-other-than allowance.

"When the three-other-than didn't go I decided to stay home and run him a condition above," said Pletcher. "This is no easy race and he doesn't have to win first time back, although I expect he will run well."

Forest Danger overcame a horrendous trip to win his maiden at first asking here a year ago, then quickly followed up with an easy entry-level allowance victory and an impressive 7 1/2-length triumph in the Grade 3 Bay Shore Stakes. But both his win streak and 3-year-old campaign came to an abrupt halt when he succumbed to an early speed duel and finished second to Medallist in the one-mile Withers.

Forest Danger, who scratched out of a potential rematch with Medallist in the Feb. 5 Deputy Minister Handicap, has been training extremely well at Palm Meadows, where he has posted a pair of black letter, 59-and-change works at five furlongs the last several weeks.

Primary Suspect has progressed quickly through his first three lifetime allowance conditions by winning 4 of 7 starts, including a third-level allowance sprint here Jan. 20. Trained by Mark Hennig, Primary Suspect figures to stalk Forest Danger's early pace under Jerry Bailey.

Stakes winners Built Up and Choose are also contenders. Vinemeister, American Proud, Lawbook, and Whos Crying Now complete the lineup.