Dak Attack pre-entered for Breeders' Cup, '50-50' to run

As Dak Attack walked off the track over the weekend following his most recent workout, exercise rider Tammy Fox relayed to trainer Dale Romans that "Dak is back!" The 2-year-old stakes winner, who missed time on two occasions due to shin problems, could get his chance to prove it soon.

Connections pre-entered Dak Attack for the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile and are "50-50" to run, said Jason Loutsch, racing manager for owner Albaugh Family Stable. Another option is the $200,000 Cherokee Run Stakes on the Nov. 3 undercard.

"The ultimate goal," Loutsch said, is to send Dak Attack in Santa Anita Park's Malibu Stakes (G1) at seven furlongs in December.

"He's just doing so good that Dale's considering taking a shot," Loutsch said of the Breeders' Cup.

Loutsch mentioned towering favorite Catalina Cruiser and City of Light, a Grade 1 winner also considering the Breeders' Cup Sprint, as the type of talents that could prevent a try at the $1 million Dirt Mile.

A son of Ghostzapper, Dak Attack made his first start in nine months on Oct. 10 in allowance company at Keeneland. He finished second by a nose coming off the bench.

"We're going to review it, and there would have to be a couple defections going to different races for us to get real, real interested," Loutsch said.

Pre-entries will be announced Wednesday, and connections have the option to pre-enter in two races before declaring later for a single event.