Atta Boy Roy bringing his speed to BC Sprint

The Breeders’ Cup Sprint may wind up with a full field after all. The prospective starting lineup grew by as many as three this past week when the connections of defending champion Dancing in Silks, Ancient Title runner-up Supreme Summit, and the speedster Atta Boy Roy all announced their interests in competing in the event.

Trainer Valorie Lund said she’s been thinking about the Sprint ever since Atta Boy Roy won the Grade 2 Churchill Downs Handicap and finished second in the Grade 3 Aristides at Churchill during the spring, although her decision did not become definite until Atta Boy Roy finished eighth earlier this month in Keeneland’s Woodford Stakes on turf.

“I ran him on the turf at Keeneland because the timing was perfect – the race was four weeks out from the Breeders’ Cup and he always does well with 28 days between races – and it gave us another option to consider if we needed one,” Lund said. “But he was sliding around on the turf, it was too slick for him, and telling us he wants to stay on the dirt.”

Atta Boy Roy could wind up the horse to catch in the Sprint. The 5-year-old son of Tribunal led throughout to win the Churchill Downs Handicap over a wet track on Derby Day. His last loss on dirt came at the hands of Majesticperfection – generally regarded as the top sprinter in the country until being retired due to injury this summer – in the rapidly run Iowa Sprint Handicap.

“If he gets a good break, it will take a really rapid horse to be there with him,” said Lund, who will be sending out her first Breeders’ Cup representative when saddling Atta Boy Roy for the Sprint.

Lund said Atta Boy Roy’s regular rider, Calvin Borel, will again be aboard for the Breeders’ Cup.