Slow Down Andy tries turf and upsets Del Mar Derby

Reddam Racing’s homebred Slow Down Andy did just that in a field of nine 3-year-olds, setting slow and steady fractions from the start to the top of the lane, then sprinting to a half-length victory at the end of Saturday’s Grade 2, $302,000 Del Mar Derby Saturday at the seaside track.

The California-bred colt by Reddam’s Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist had regular rider Mario Gutierrez in the tack for a perfectly timed ride in the nine-furlong journey on turf and earned a check for $180,000. It was his fourth victory in his eighth start and he now sports earnings of $783,100.

Finishing second in the 3-year-old feature was 68-1 shot Spycatcher, who had a half length on War At Sea.

Slow Down Andy set fractions of  24.13, 48.77, 1:12.98, 1:36.89 and 1:48.27. He sprinted the final three eights in just over 35 seconds.

“We had no idea he’d go that slow early so it worked out perfect," said winning trainer Doug O'Neill. "After I saw the very first fraction I thought we had a good chance and then the half mile in almost 49,  I thought we had a real good chance. We’ve always had faith in him; he was our Kentucky Derby dream not too long ago so why not the Del Mar Derby?”

The winner paid $15.40.

This was the 78th running of the Del Mar Derby.