Conquest Sandman puts them to sleep in Mecke

As expected, Conquest Sandman sped right to the lead breaking from the rail under jockey Emisael Jaramillo and then was never headed, drawing away to a 4 ¼-length victory in Sunday’s $75,000 Mecke Stakes. The Mecke was the third stakes tally for Conquest Sandman since being claimed by trainer Juan Carlos Abarrio in the interests of owner Costa Brava for a bargain $16,000 in February.

“As long as he can get on the lead and have it his way, no one is going to touch him,” said Abarrio, through an interpreter, after the race.

Multiple stakes winner Galleon Mast rallied belatedly to finish second, 1 ½ lengths in front of third-place finisher Archer Road.

Abarrio said he plans to keep Conquest Sandman at Gulfstream Park throughout the summer.