‘Slow Down’ Mows Down Messier in Los Al Futurity

Try two turns for the first time in his youth career as third pick 5-1, Reddam Racing LLC’s SLOW DOWN ANDY (c, 2, Nyquist–Edwina E, by Square Eddie) eyeballs are very popular ‘Rising star TDN’ Messier (Empire Maker) was in the middle and, despite racing green in the later stages, did better to cause disappointment in Saturday’s GII Los Alamitos Futurity in the Orange County Oval Office. Driven last and guided inside by Mario Gutierrez, Slow Down Andy more or less made his first turn, but within shouting distance of the leads as they hit midway. Getting behind the runners after they got to their second turn, Slow Down Andy sped three laps to the outside of the heavy favorite and into the inside of Barossa (Into Mischief) into the lane. He did his best to hand the race right back to Messier, looking constantly to his right and letting the chalk take a close advantage in the eighth column. But Gutierrez was able to keep the rider’s mind on hold enough to carry out the task at hand, and the duo inched their way up late. It was the first defeat in Futurity’s eight runs since moving from Hollywood Park where the winner was not picked up by coach Bob Baffert, who was thwarted in his 14th attempt to win the race. Slow Down Andy is the seventh stake winner and third place winner for Nyquist, campaigned by Reddam, as well as Square police chief Eddie. Lifetime Achievement: 3-2-1-0. O/B-Reddam Racing LLC (CA); T-Doug O’Neill.

Not a subscriber? Click here to subscribe to PDF or daily alerts.

This story was posted in Top News and tagged Doug O’Neill, Race, Los Alamitos Futurity, Mario Gutierrez, Racing Reddam, Slow down Andy.