Riley Tucker enjoys perfect trip in Aristides

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.