Washington-bred Atta Boy Roy finished second Saturday to Riley Tucker in the $107,900 Aristides Handicap, Grade 3, for older sprinters at Churchill Downs. Ridden by Shaun Bridgmohan, Riley Tucker rallied inside to collar Atta Boy Roy in deep stretch, and scored by two lengths in 1 minute, 8.33 seconds on a fast track.

Atta Boy Roy broke slowly from the rail, an incident that might have doomed the 5-year-old Tribunal ridgling. Rushed into contention by jockey Calvin Borel, Atta Boy Roy dueled with Cash Refund into the stretch—the half-mile run in a blistering 44.19, put away the 6-to-5 betting favorite a furlong out, but couldn’t withstand Riley Tucker, who got a perfect trip rallying inside Cash Refund.

Riley Tucker has won four straight races and six-of-seven lifetime. The Aristides, however, marked his first start in a graded race and accounted for his tepid 9-2 wagering support. Steve Asmussen trains the 4-year-old Kentucky-bred son of Harlan’s holiday for Zayat Stables LLC.

Emerald Downs’ Top Sprinter of 2009, Atta Boy Roy is being campaigned toward a possible start in the Nov. 6 Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Churchill Downs. He has $188,578 in graded earnings in 2009; most of it accrued with a victory in the Grade II Churchill Downs Handicap on May 1.

Overall, Atta Boy Roy has won 9-of-19 starts for trainer Valorie Lund and owners Roy and Ellie Schaefer. He ranks third among active Washington-breds in earnings with $334,363, trailing Wasserman ($519,049) and Margo’s Gift ($336,982).