Atta Boy Dan wins Open Pace at Monticello

May 12, 2021

By: Shawn Wiles

Photo Credit: Geri Schwarz

On Tuesday May 11, Atta Boy Dan was making his second start of the year, after 2 impressive winning qualifiers and a solid performance last week, went to post as the 6/5 Betting favorite and scored in 1:55.3 over a field of 7 with Brandon Parker in the bike.

Cory Stratton and Carters Caper cut the mile as Chantepleure (Shane Taggart) leaving from post 5 were parked out past the quarter in 27.3 and would remain parked the entire mile. First to move approaching the half 56.4 was Certified Ideal (John Desimone), down the backside the second time Brandon Parker sensing that Chantepleure was starting to tire and clog the outer flow, he popped out of the 2 hole as Certified Ideal and Camwood were forced wide due to the tiring Chantepleure, they hit the ¾ in 1:26.1. At this point Atta Boy Dan starting to skip away from the pack and won by 4 lengths in 1:55.3 – $4.50, finishing second was KJ Erich (Jim Taggart Jr) and winner of last weeks Open, Camwood was third (Bruce Aldrich Jr.)

The recently minted Millionaire Atta Boy Dan sports an impressive resume, the rugged warrior a 12-Year-Old Western Terror gelding has a lifetime mark of 1:48.4, taken at the age of 5 at Pocono Downs, with today’s win his career earnings are in excess of $1,010,000.

Also on the card, Cory Stratton enjoyed a driving triple and James Taggart Jr. drove home 2 winners.

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