After Slow Down Andy’s half-length triumph in the Del Mar Derby over 1 1/8 miles on Saturday (US time), Doug O’Neill could entertain the thought of now setting the three-year-old for Breeders’ Cup weekend.
The colt led a slow-paced race early and hung on from there, holding off Spycatcher for Mark Glatt and saluting in 1 minute 48.27 seconds while running for the first time on grass.
When asked by HorseBetting.com.au if Breeders’ Cup weekend at Keeneland, Kentucky, on November 4-5 could be his next target, O’Neill said:
“Why not? We haven’t even thought about that. I like the idea.”
O’Neill said the USD $300,000 (AUD $447k) Grade 2 Del Mar Derby was a decent consolation to the Kentucky Derby, which his stable originally had Slow Down Andy aimed at.
But a virus sidelined him in April.
“He was our Kentucky Derby hopeful, but the Del Mar Derby is not too shabby,” O’Neill said.
“He’s a true homebred by Nyquist, a (Kentucky) Derby winner.
“It’s so exciting and I’m so thankful for this moment, it’s awesome.”
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 eighths in just over 35 seconds.
O’Neill was delighted at the stamina Slow Down Andy displayed to hold on and prevail down the stretch.
“It was slow early and he had plenty for the finish. It was real exciting,” he said.
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