Slow Down Andy has no problem with Del Mar Derby's turf

DEL MAR, Calif. - Slow Down Andy, the only horse in a field of nine without turf experience, took to the surface like an experienced runner to record a minor upset in Saturday’s Grade 2 Del Mar Derby.

The improbable result extended to second-place finisher Spycatcher, a 68-1 outsider who had his stakes debut in the $302,000 Del Mar Derby as a maiden making his fourth start.

War At Sea, unraced since a win in the Cinema Stakes at Santa Anita on June 4, finished third, the best result of the accomplished turf runners in the field.

Slow Down Andy, ridden by Mario Gutierrez, took the lead shortly after the start, set a moderate pace of 24.13 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 48.77 for a half-mile, beating a stubborn Spycatcher by a half-length.

“He’s always a sharp breaker,” Gutierrez said

“I didn’t have much pressure. He broke so good and didn’t feel pressure and it allowed me to slow down.”

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Slow Down Andy ($15.40) led by a length on the turn and in the stretch, an advantage that seemed to be in jeopardy with several rivals looking within three lengths.

Through the final strides, Slow Down Andy kept his lead. He ran 1 1/8 miles on turf in 1:48.27, earning a Beyer Speed Figure of 86 that equals his career best.

“We waited for the end,” Gutierrez said. “When he runs with his mind focused on the race, you see what happens.”

Spycatcher, supplemented to the Del Mar Derby for $3,000 on Wednesday, seemed poised to pass Slow Down Andy, but could not reach the leader.

“I thought I’d get by,” jockey Ryan Curatolo said. “It was a good race for the horse. He likes the distance.”

War At Sea was followed in the order of finish by Balnikhov, Cabo Spirit, Mackinnon, Dandy Warhol, St Anthony and Barsabas.

Balnikhov, Cabo Spirit, Mackinnon and St Anthony have won stakes on turf.

The Del Mar Derby was Slow Down Andy’s third stakes win. He won the Grade 2 Los Alamitos Futurity last December and the Grade 3 Sunland Derby in New Mexico in March in an expected prep for the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 7. Slow Down Andy missed that race after being diagnosed with a virus in April.

After his return, Slow Down Andy had two starts earlier this summer, finishing second in the Los Alamitos Derby on July 9 and second in the Real Good Deal Stakes for California-bred 3-year-olds at seven furlongs on Aug. 5.

Trained by Doug O’Neill for owners and breeders Paul and Zillah Reddam, Slow Down Andy has won 4 of 8 starts and earned $783,100. A California-bred, Slow Down Andy is by Nyquist.