Akanti prepping for stakes shot

Trainer Al Stall Jr. might have a second horse to start on the Breeders' Cup card if Akanti runs well in the featured ninth race Saturday at Lone Star Park. The one-mile allowance could be the Akanti's springboard to the $100,000 Metroplex Mile on the Breeders' Cup undercard at Lone Star on Oct. 30.

Stall is already pointing Enduring Will for the $1 million Juvenile Fillies.

Lonnie Meche guided Enduring Will to a 10-length win in the $100,000 Silver Spur Breeders' Cup last Friday night at Lone Star, and he will travel from his Louisiana Downs base to ride the Irish-bred Akanti on Saturday.

"If he runs like he's been running this summer, we might try the Metroplex Mile on Breeders' Cup Day," said Stall.

Akanti will face seven others in the feature, a money allowance that also drew Lights on Broadway, Guaranteed Sweep, Wishingitwas, and Seainsky.

This summer, Akanti won three straight races by a combined 21 3/4 lengths at Louisiana Downs before racing under lights for the first time in the $100,000 Evangeline Downs Mile in his last start Aug. 14.

He was third in that race, finishing seven lengths behind winner Pie N Burger. Akanti, who won the $50,000 Blue Skies Handicap at Louisiana Downs in July, has since worked sharply for his return, with a six-furlong move in 1:13.80 on Oct. 3.

"We gave him a breather after the Evangeline Mile," said Stall. "All he did was gawk at the lights [during the race]. He literally

didn't extend himself one bit. His ears were straightforward and they stayed that way the whole time."