SPORTS BRIEF: Atta Boy Roy has Plateau roots

Published 3:57 pm Monday, November 8, 2010

Washington-bred Atta Boy Roy, who raced forwardly into the stretch, tired to finish 10th in Saturday’s $2 million Sentient Jet Breeders’ Cup Sprint won by Big Drama at Churchill Downs in Louisville.

Atta Boy Roy’s connection to the Plateau starts in Buckley at Blue Ribbon Farms with breeders Rick and Debbie Pabst and Patricia J. Murphy. His sire was Tribunal, who was standing at El Dorado Farms in Enumclaw.

Pulled up on the gallop-out by jockey Calvin Borel, Atta Boy Roy was vanned back to the barn with what was initially diagnosed as a suspensory injury in his right foreleg. However, chief Breeders’ Cup veterinarian Wayne McIllwraith said Atta Boy Roy was in no apparent danger.

Fourth choice in the wagering at 6-1, Atta Boy Roy raced in third place into the stretch before fading through the lane and finishing 9-1/2 lengths back of Big Drama.

Trainer Valorie Lund said Atta Boy Roy cooled out well and was relieved to see her star sprinter back in his stall.