Riley Tucker enjoys perfect trip in Aristides

Riley Tucker flew home in the Aristides (Churchill Downs/Reed Palmer Photography)

The three-year stakes drought endured by Zayat Stables’ RILEY TUCKER
(Harlan’s Holiday) finally came to an end Saturday at Churchill Downs when the
five-year-old benefited from a blistering early pace and drove up the inside to
take the $107,900

Aristides S. (G3) by two lengths under Shaun Bridgmohan. The near 5-1 third
choice in a field of six, Riley Tucker paid $11.80, $4.20 and $2.60.

Atta Boy Roy (Tribunal), upset winner of the Churchill Downs S. (G2) and the
8-5 second choice here, missed the break but quickly recovered to move from the
rail to the outside of the speedster Chief of Affairs. That one led by a length
after a quarter in :21 1/5, but was only a head up on Atta Boy Roy through a
half in :44. Meanwhile, 6-5 favorite Cash Refund (Petionville) tracked behind
that pair ready to pounce, with Riley Tucker steadily advancing from fifth. At
the top of the stretch, Cash Refund swung wide for his bid as Atta Boy Roy
dispensed with Chief of Affairs. However, the tiring leader left a gap open
along the inside for Riley Tucker to dart through, and it was the Steve Asmussen
trainee who had the most run through the lane. Six furlongs was completed over a
fast track in 1:08 1/5.

Atta Boy Roy, who might have fared better with a more alert beginning,
settled for second by 2 3/4 lengths over Cash Refund. Atta Boy Roy returned
$3.40 and $2.20 while the favorite gave back the mandatory minimum of $2.10.
Chief of Affairs was another 2 3/4 lengths behind in fourth and was followed
home by the longshots Cassoulet (Distorted Humor) and Lissa’s Star (Valid
Expectations). The exacta paid $41.20, the trifecta $76.80, and the 4-1-5-2
superfecta was worth $131.80.