Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey describes Dancing Forever as a horse who’s come around.

On Saturday at Belmont Park, the 5-year-old son of Rahy came around at just the right time, charging up from 10th to nose out favored Out of Control in the Grade 1, $400,000 Woodford Reserve Manhattan Handicap.

Under Rene Douglas, the big chestnut sat way off Shake the Bank’s fractions of 24.11, 47.91, 1:11.43 and 1:35.38, then rallied up the rail for the narrow victory, his third in four starts and first in a Grade 1 race. His time for the mile and one quarter was 1:59.62 over the firm turf course.

“I think he’s one of those horses that just came around,” said McGaughey, who trains Dancing Forever for the Phipps Stable. “He’s a great big horse. I thought he would have a big chance. When he ran second to Einstein, who I think is the best turf horse in the country, at equal weights at something like 37-1 at Gulfstream Park, that showed me something.”

Out of Control, still seeking his first victory after four starts this year, was a half-length in front of Pays to Dream, with Strike a Deal another length back in fourth.

“It’s a shame he got beat,” said jockey Garrett Gomez of Out of Control. “He ran a really good race. I’m glad to see him rebound (from his loss to Einstein in the Turf Classic at Churchill Downs May 3) and run a really good race.”

It was the fifth victory in 19 starts for Dancing Forever, who earned $240,000 to boost his lifetime earnings to $587,870. He returned $10.40 for a $2 win bet.

McGaughey said the Grade 1 Man o’ War on July 12 and the Grade 1 Sword Dancer on August 16 were possibilities for Dancing Forever.

“I’d like to have him for the Breeders’ Cup, because I do think he’s better at a mile and a half, believe it or not,” said McGaughey.