Slow Down Andy takes them all the way in Awesome Again

Breaking like a shot on wet-fast track, Reddam Racing’s homebred Slow Down Andy never did, taking eight rivals on a merry chase en route to a smashing 2 1/4 length victory in Santa Anita’s Grade 1, $300,000 Awesome Again Stakes, final steppingstone to the $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic here on Nov. 4.

Trained by Doug O’Neill and ridden by Mario Gutierrez, the 4-year-old California-bred colt by 2016 Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist got a mile and one eighth in 1:47.62.

A Breeders’ Cup win-and-you're-in qualifier, Slow Down Andy now has a fees-paid berth into the Classic, which will be run for the 40th time Nov. 4 at Santa Anita.

On what turned out to be a spectacular afternoon, Slow Down Andy cut a striking figure as he kept both Defunded and National Treasure at bay to his outside around the far turn and he proved much the best late in an effort that suggested he’ll be plenty tough at a mile and one quarter.

Most recently a close third in the Grade I Pacific Classic Sept. 2, Slow Down Andy was the 2-1 favorite in a field of nine 3-year-olds and up and paid $6.00, $3.60 and $2.80.

Out of Reddam Racing’s Square Eddie mare Edwina E, Slow Down Andy notched his first Grade I win and his third graded score from an overall mark of 14-5-4-3. With the winner’s share of $180,000, he increased his earnings to $1,276,600.

Off at 7-2 with Edwin Maldonado up, Defunded kept to his task gamely and finished one length in front of Senor Buscador, returning $4.60 and $3.40.

With Geovanni Franco up, Senor Buscador was off at 8-1 and paid $4.40 while finishing 1 ½ lengths in front of National Treasure.

Fractions, all set by the winner, were 22.97 and 46.91 seconds, 1:10.59 and 1:34.92.