Slow Down Andy will shorten up in Malibu Stakes

Slow Down Andy, a three-time graded stakes winner who was third in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile on Nov. 5 at Keeneland, will start in a sprint for the first time since the summer in the Grade 1 Malibu Stakes for 3-year-olds at seven furlongs on Dec. 26 at Santa Anita.

Slow Down Andy was third at 17-1 in the BC Dirt Mile, finishing 1 3/4 lengths behind Cody’s Wish. Earlier this year, Slow Down Andy won the Grade 3 Sunland Park Derby at 1 1/8 miles in March after engaging in a speed duel. He won his turf debut in the Grade 2 Del Mar Derby at 1 1/8 miles, leading throughout.

Slow Down Andy, a California-bred colt by Nyquist, races for owners and breeders Paul and Zillah Reddam and has won 4 of 10 starts. Slow Down Andy has earned $909,100.

On Saturday at Santa Anita, Slow Down Andy worked five furlongs in 1:00.60, his third workout since the BC Dirt Mile.

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Doug O’Neill trains Slow Down Andy, but is currently serving the final days of a 30-day suspension for a medication violation. Leandro Mora, O’Neill’s long-time assistant, is currently directing the stable.

The $300,000 Malibu Stakes will be Slow Down Andy’s first start in a sprint since a second in the Real Good Deal Stakes for statebreds at seven furlongs on Aug. 5 at Del Mar.

The Malibu field is led by Taiba, a two-time Grade 1 winner this year who was third in the BC Classic on Nov. 5.

The Dec. 26 program is the opening day of the Santa Anita winter-spring meeting.

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