Reylu Gutierrez © Evers Photo
One of the new faces in the jock’s room this summer is Reylu Gutierrez, an established rider from the Midwest who moved his tack to Southern California recently.
Gutierrez had been riding the Kentucky and Midwest circuits before arriving on the west coast earlier this month. The switch to Del Mar came on the advice of his agent, Jose Santos, Jr.
“Five of our top horses left for New York,” Santo says of their situation in Kentucky. “Plus they don’t have a hot box at Ellis Park, so Reylu had to do his workouts at home and then drive to the track.”
Anyone who has worked out at home and then jumped in the car knows it can often times lead to muscles cramping. Not a good situation for an athlete on his way to work.
“Jose has always led me positively throughout my career,” Gutierrez says. “I don’t have a wife or kids so I decided ‘If you want to go, let’s go.’ All of sudden we’re here.
“It’s pretty nomadic of me,” Gutierrez continues. “I rode my first Breeders’ Cup here at Del Mar and last year I came in for the Pat O’Brien and I won that day. Every time I’ve come here I’ve had some good luck and the food here is incredible.”
The 28-year-old rider grew up in Rochester, New York, the son of Finger Lakes trainer Luis Gutierrez. Ironically, Reylu would win his first race at Finger Lakes in December of 2017. He was a finalist in the Eclipse Award voting for top apprentice jockey in 2019 and won his first riding title last year at Fair Grounds. After eight days of racing at Del Mar, Gutierrez sits in ninth place in the jockey standings with four wins.
“I like the fandom,” Gutierrez says. “So many people come out to the races looking great and they’re very excited to see the horses. I think everybody’s excited for this meet so it brings a lot of good energy. I especially look forward to all of the grass racing. I find it fascinating.”
As for the Del Mar jockey colony, Gutierrez has ridden against some of the best at Churchill Downs and Saratoga, so he’s up for the challenge.
“Some good riders here,” Gutierrez adds. “Juan Hernandez, Umberto (Rispoli), Antonio Fresu, amongst the Hall of Famers we all know, Mike (Smith) and Victor (Espinoza). I’m not too familiar with the whole colony but the top guys who have come out to Kentucky and New York I’ve ridden with them multiple times and they’re very formidable.”