Great Attack brings back class to Tony Gatto Dream Big Stakes

Within his last eight races, Great Attack shows a Grade 3 stakes victory, a good closing run in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint, where he was beaten just three lengths, and an appearance on the Dubai World Cup undercard. All that back class should make Great Attack formidable in Wednesday’s closing-day feature at Atlantic City Race Course, the $50,000 Tony Gatto Dream Big Stakes, a race named in honor of the facility’s late track superintendent.

What might make bettors pause before rushing to the windows, however, is that the classy 7-year-old Great Attack’s two most recent starts came while he was running for a claiming tag, and he hasn’t raced at all since November. Whether Great Attack is worth backing at a short price in the five-furlong sprint that closes out the all-turf mini-meet is debatable.

On the plus side, Great Attack is by far the most accomplished horse in the 10-horse field. He won the Grade 3 Turf Sprint at Churchill Downs two springs ago and rallied from 12th to finish a close fifth in the 2012 BC Turf Sprint at Santa Anita. But he wasn’t the same horse after his March 2013 journey to Dubai, where he finished 11th of 16 in the $1 million Al Quoz Sprint at Meydan.

After consistently posting Beyer Speed Figures in the upper 90s, Great Attack returned following a four-month break to post weak Beyers of 72 and 82. He did rebound to a 97 when claimed out of a winning effort for $62,500 by trainer Hugh McMahon.

Great Attack will spot his opponents six to nine pounds as the 124-pound highweight. He will be ridden for the first time by Kendrick Carmouche, who won last year’s Tony Gatto Dream Big Stakes aboard Perfect Officer.

Those looking to try to beat Great Attack might gravitate to Atlantic Seaboard or Star Maneuver, both of whom have a good recent turf race under their belt.

Atlantic Seaboard led until deep stretch of a one-mile, $25,000 starter allowance at Pimlico three weeks ago. The last two times Atlantic Seaboard cut back from a longer route, he produced a win and a good second.

Star Maneuver ships in from Maryland and brings along rider Horatio Karamanos after drawing off to a 3 1/4-length victory in a first-level allowance three weeks ago at Pimlico.