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Slow Down Andy’s Los Alamitos Futurity
SPEED UP, ANDY
SON OF NYQUIST FEELS THE NEED FOR SPEED
BY TRACY GANTZ
California-bred Slow Down Andy did not heed the advice of his name, allowing him to win the $300,000 Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) Dec. 11. But then owner/ breeder Paul Reddam wasn’t ofering that advice to the colt. It was for his golfng buddy Andy Redmond.
“He tends to go out in front of the rest of the group and hit out of turn,” said Reddam. “It afects our gambling, so I was trying to give Andy a message with the name.”
Reddam enjoys sending messages to friends through naming his horses, something often seen with Cal-bred ofspring of his now-pensioned California stallion Square Eddie. Slow Down Andy not only continues the naming messages, he could be the beginning of a good Cal-bred nick: Paul and Zillah Reddam’s Kentucky-based stallion Nyquist crossed with a Square Eddie mare.
Edwina E, a daughter of Square Eddie bred and raced by Reddam Racing, didn’t get the opportunity to showcase her racing talent, starting just twice without a win. As a broodmare, she has produced two earlier runners, including Team Merchants, a 2018 full brother to Slow Down Andy who won the 2021 Let It Ride Stakes. Edwina E has a 2020 colt by I’ll Have Another.
Doug O’Neill, who trained both Nyquist and Square Eddie, also conditions Slow Down Andy. Slow Down Andy made his frst start at Santa Anita Oct. 9, winning a Cal-bred maiden event at 51⁄2 furlongs by 43⁄4 lengths. Tat prompted Reddam and O’Neill to try state-bred stakes, in the $178,000 Golden State Juvenile Stakes Nov. 5.
Paul Reddam’s Cal-bred homebred Slow Down Andy zips to a one-length victory in Los Alamitos Futurity In that event, Slow Down Andy fnished the 11⁄16-mile Futurity, including Messier a good second to Finneus, a son of Stay and Barossa from the always-powerful Bob Tirsty out of Cal-bred champion My Fio- Bafert barn. Messier went of as the 1-2 na. Finneus had already run second in the favorite, with Slow Down Andy the 5-1 Best Pal Stakes (G2) and Runhappy Del third choice. Mar Futurity (G1). Last early under jockey Mario Gutierrez, O’Neill wanted to run Slow Down Andy Slow Down Andy launched his bid at the in the $100,000 King Glorious Stakes, an- fve-sixteenths pole. other Cal-bred stakes, Dec. 12. But Red- “When I saw the opening going to the dam felt that Slow Down Andy merited a turn, I sent him and he responded,” said chance in the Los Alamitos Futurity. Gutierrez. “It was strictly Paul wanting to take a Slow Down Andy and Messier dueled chance and having faith in Slow Down through the stretch, the lead changing back Andy, and thank God he did,” O’Neill and forth. Slow Down Andy ran greenly, said. bumping with Messier, but ultimately the Slow Down Andy faced four rivals in Cal-bred took over to win by a length in 1:42.33. “I think he was just playing around in the stretch,” Gutierrez said. “When Messier got back in front of him, he regained his focus and showed his heart.” Slow Down Andy earned 10 © BENOIT PHOTOS qualifying points to the 2022 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1). Tough it’s still early, the Cal-bred is tied with fve Paul and Zillah Reddam take center stage in winner’s circle festivities; trainer Doug O’Neill, second right, approves others for second in points for the prestigious race.
