‘Slow Down’ Mows Down Messier in Los Al Futurity

[Wandering Eyes]

Trying two turns for the first time in his young career as the 5-1 third betting selection, Reddam Racing LLC's SLOW DOWN ANDY (c, 2, Nyquist–Edwina E, by Square Eddie) eyeballed heavily favored 'TDN Rising Star' Messier (Empire Maker) at midstretch and, despite racing greenly in the latter stages, did the better work to cause the upset in Saturday's GII Los Alamitos Futurity at the Orange County oval. Taken back to last and guided to the inside by Mario Gutierrez, Slow Down Andy more or less trailed into the first turn, but was within shouting distance of the leaders as they hit midway. Drafting in behind runners as they hit the second turn, Slow Down Andy revved up three wide outside of the heavy favorite and to the inside of Barossa (Into Mischief) into the lane. He did his level best to hand the race right back to Messier, gawking repeatedly to his right and allowing the chalk to claim a narrow advantage at the eighth pole. But Gutierrez was able to keep his mount's mind enough on the task at hand and the duo was inching away late. It was the first defeat in the eight runnings of the Futurity since its transfer from Hollywood Park that the winner was not sent out by trainer Bob Baffert, who was stymied in an attempt to win the race for the 14th time. Slow Down Andy is the seventh stakes winner and third graded winner for Nyquist, campaigned by Reddam, as was the colt's dam sire Square Eddie. Lifetime Record: 3-2-1-0. O/B-Reddam Racing LLC (CA); T-Doug O'Neill.

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