Susie Bee wins Powder Break, Conquest Sandman in Miesque's Approval

Susie Bee was a sweeping winner of the $75,000 Powder Break on Saturday at Gulfstream Park and in the process she gave her 22-year-old rider, apprentice Reylu Gutierrez, his first stakes win.

The Powder Break was one of two stakes on the card, with Conquest Sandman holding off charging rivals to capture the $75,000 Miesque’s Approval.

Susie Bee ($32) had just a few horses beat early as Sylphide set fractions of 23.35 seconds for the opening quarter, 46.93 for the half-mile, and 1:10.45 for six furlongs over a turf course rated good. Gutierrez angled his mount out in the stretch and Susie Bee unleashed a powerful run, while covering the mile in 1:35.77. She finished 1 1/4 lengths in front of Conquest Hardcandy, who had a half-length on Lipstick City in third.

“She’s great. She’s easy to settle,” Gutierrez told publicity at Gulfstream. “I was a little wide on the first turn, but after going around, she just gave me everything.”

Mike Maker trains Susie Bee for Calumet Farm.

Gutierrez is a native of Rochester, N.Y., and a graduate of Cortland State University, where he earned a degree in exercise physiology. He is the son of trainer Luis Gutierrez and the nephew of jockey Jose Gutierrez.

“Just growing up around horses my whole life, I learned to work hard,” Reylu Gutierrez told publicity at Gulfstream. “My parents always instilled that in me. I would drive home weekends from college and told them I wanted to be a jockey. They said, ‘You’ve got to bring us your four-year degree, then we’ll push you to reach your dreams.’ I’m very thankful for that.’”

Susie Bee earned $43,710 for her win in the Powder Break, and got an 83 Beyer Speed Figure for the effort. She is a daughter of English Channel.

Conquest Sandman takes Miesque’s Approval

Conquest Sandman ($13.80) set the pace and had more in the stretch when holding off surging rivals in the Miesque’s Approval. He won by three-quarters of a length over Fast and Accurate, while it was another half-length back in third to Uncle B.

The 1 1/16-mile race for 3-year-olds and up was run over good turf.

Conquest Sandman set fractions of 25.29 seconds for the opening quarter, 49.27 for the half-mile, and 1:12.56 for six furlongs before going on to cover the distance in 1:42.08. He was given a 93 Beyer Speed Figure.

“We were very lucky everything happened the way we wanted,” said winning rider Carlos Montalvo. “We went to the lead and were able to slow him down. It worked out perfect.”

Juan Carlos Abarrio trains the winner for Costa Bravo. Conquest Sandman is a son of Scat Daddy.

Racing resumes Sunday with a Rainbow 6 jackpot carryover of $733,161. The sequence will begin with the sixth race.

First career winner for Ramsay

The apprentice jockey Romero Ramsay celebrated his first career victory Saturday when he won the second race at Gulfstream Park aboard As It Happens ($14). The rider is a cousin of top journeyman Rajiv Maragh.

Ramsay, 18, was aboard the winner for trainer Chuck Simon. It was his fourth career mount.

“This feels great,” Ramsay told officials with Gulfstream. “I always do it on video games, but this is better in person.”

Ramsay grew up in Hollywood, Fla. His uncle is locally based trainer Aubrey Maragh.

“I’ve always wanted to be a jockey,” Ramsay said. “My uncle has given me a lot of horses to gallop and ride.”