Attention Horsemen

Friday, May 25th racing date at Hastings has been cancelled.  Tentatively rescheduled to September 9th, 2012 depending on horse population and funds available at that time.

Hastings News by Greg Douglas

 RETURN OF KENTUCKY DERBY WINNING JOCKEY

 SUPER MARIO DELIGHTS THOUSANDS OF FANS

AT HASTING RACECOURSE AND SLOTS  

Vancouver, B.C. (May 14/12) – On his way from California to Baltimore for Saturday’s Preakness, Kentucky Derby winning jockey Mario Gutierrez took a slight detour and landed in Vancouver for a couple of days.

 His first wish was to re-visit Hastings Racecourse where he’d been riding horses for the past six years since arriving inCanadafrom his nativeMexicoas an unproven and unknown 19-year-old.  He quickly established himself by winning the Leading Apprentice Jockey award atHastingsin 2006 and back-to-back Leading Rider titles in 2007 and 2008.

 Not in his wildest dreams could Gutierrez have imagined what a reaction awaited his return Sunday on a race day atHastings. It began with a noon hour news conference that attracted media numbers normally reserved for a Canucks’ hockey scrum.

 It became emotional whenCTVBCreporter Julia Foy asked if Mario was thinking of his mom at home inMexicoon Mother’s Day.  He shared how his sudden success by winning the Kentucky Derby had resulted in helping his family purchase a new home and how he has spoken with his parents on a regular basis over the past week.

 Once the media conference ended, Mario proceeded to a familiar location on the tarmac at Hastings Racecourse:  the winner’s circle. He greeted a long line of fans who’d been waiting for hours to pose for pictures and receive an autographed Kentucky Derby victory card. Even when security guards called a halt to the proceedings because the first live race was about to begin, Gutierrez invited those folks who’d been shut out to join him in an unofficial signing session off to the side. When that was over he said with a twinkle in his eye:  “Now the real fun begins.  I’m going back to the jock’s room to see my old riding buddies.”

 Mario said later he was taken aback by the friendship and respect that he felt from his peers of six years.  It was behind closed doors, but Mario did relate later that he sat with some of the younger riders and told them never to give up the dream … that if it happened to him, it could happen to anyone.

 Thousands of fans signed a huge banner wishing him luck in Saturday’s Preakness, the second jewel in racing’s Triple Crown. Mario packaged it up and said the banner would hang in the barn of I’ll Have Another leading up to Saturday’s race.

 Local racing enthusiasts will again be able to watch Mario’s plight on a 40-foot jumbo screen located in the infield alongside the tote board at Hastings Racecourse, as well as hundreds of television screens throughout the grounds.

 Raj Mutti,Regional GeneralManager,BCRacing, expects a record crowd Saturday atHastingswhen the Preakness becomes part of the local live racing card via simulcast.

 Mario, himself, guaranteed that with his charming homecoming Sunday when it was confirmed beyond a doubt that his cheering section has reached new heights.

 By: Greg Douglas

 Friday, May 11, 2012

 MARIO COMING ‘HOME’ TO HASTINGS SUNDAY

 Fresh from his spectacular Kentucky Derby victory on I’ll Have Another at Churchill Downs last week, jockey Mario Gutierrez will be at Hastings Racecourse to meet and greet his many friends and fans prior to Sunday afternoon’s racing card that starts at 1:50 p.m.

 Following a news conference at 12:00 noon in the Casino Eclipse Lounge, Mario will make his way to the tarmac in front of the winner’s circle atHastingsto meet and mingle with his legion of fans.  A special full-page ad in The Daily Racing Form saluting Mario will be on the back cover of the esteemed racing publication on Saturday and Sunday.

 Mario will be inVancouverfor a few days before heading directly toBaltimore,Maryland, where he will begin preparing for the Preakness Stakes on May 19, the second jewel of racing’s renowned Triple Crown.  The Preakness is followed by the Belmont Stakes on June 9.

 I’ll Have Another now has a chance to become the first Triple Crown winner since Affirmed in 1978.

 “I am still a bit surprised by the reaction to my Kentucky Derby win,” Gutierrez says.  “I want to come back toVancouverto clear my head so I can focus on the Preakness.”

 An estimated 8,000 local racing fans watched Mario’s historic Kentucky Derby victory last Sunday on the jumbo 40-foot screen located in the infield at Hastings Racecourse.  The screen will again be in place for the Preakness on Saturday, May 19 with Raj Mutti, Regional General Manager, BC Racing, anticipating an even larger crowd at Hastings. 

 “The reaction to Mario’sDerbywin has been phenomenal,” Mutti says. “Our team atHastingswill do everything possible to keep the excitement at a fever pitch on Preakness Day.”

 MARIO + MOTHER’S DAY = PLENTY OF ACTION SUNDAY

 Two eight-race cards are set to go for the coming weekend with start times both Saturday and Sunday the regular 1:50 p.m. The Super High 5 Carryover is $1,638.

 Saturday’s feature is a first-level allowance race for 3-year-olds and up with Time Machine making his first start atHastings. Included in the six-horse field is Majesticality, looking for his first victory since being the upset winner of the 2010 BCDerby.

 Mother’s Day Sunday has an optional claiming field of seven that has several stakes winners among the starters, including 10-year-old fan favourite Spaghetti Mouse.  A special Mother’s Day draw will be held for a 14K white gold diamond pendant set with 34 diamonds. Entry forms will be available in Sunday’s live racing program and must be deposited at the Draw Box located at the winner’s circle before 4:30 p.m.

By: Greg Douglas

 Friday, May 11, 2012

 MARIO COMING ‘HOME’ TO HASTINGS SUNDAY

 Fresh from his spectacular Kentucky Derby victory on I’ll Have Another at Churchill Downs last week, jockey Mario Gutierrez will be at Hastings Racecourse to meet and greet his many friends and fans prior to Sunday afternoon’s racing card that starts at 1:50 p.m.

 Following a news conference at 12:00 noon in the Casino Eclipse Lounge, Mario will make his way to the tarmac in front of the winner’s circle atHastingsto meet and mingle with his legion of fans.  A special full-page ad in The Daily Racing Form saluting Mario will be on the back cover of the esteemed racing publication on Saturday and Sunday.

 Mario will be inVancouverfor a few days before heading directly toBaltimore,Maryland, where he will begin preparing for the Preakness Stakes on May 19, the second jewel of racing’s renowned Triple Crown.  The Preakness is followed by the Belmont Stakes on June 9.

 I’ll Have Another now has a chance to become the first Triple Crown winner since Affirmed in 1978.

 “I am still a bit surprised by the reaction to my Kentucky Derby win,” Gutierrez says.  “I want to come back toVancouverto clear my head so I can focus on the Preakness.”

 An estimated 8,000 local racing fans watched Mario’s historic Kentucky Derby victory last Sunday on the jumbo 40-foot screen located in the infield at Hastings Racecourse.  The screen will again be in place for the Preakness on Saturday, May 19 with Raj Mutti, Regional General Manager, BC Racing, anticipating an even larger crowd at Hastings. 

 “The reaction to Mario’sDerbywin has been phenomenal,” Mutti says. “Our team atHastingswill do everything possible to keep the excitement at a fever pitch on Preakness Day.”

 MARIO + MOTHER’S DAY = PLENTY OF ACTION SUNDAY

 Two eight-race cards are set to go for the coming weekend with start times both Saturday and Sunday the regular 1:50 p.m. The Super High 5 Carryover is $1,638.

 Saturday’s feature is a first-level allowance race for 3-year-olds and up with Time Machine making his first start atHastings. Included in the six-horse field is Majesticality, looking for his first victory since being the upset winner of the 2010 BCDerby.

 Mother’s Day Sunday has an optional claiming field of seven that has several stakes winners among the starters, including 10-year-old fan favourite Spaghetti Mouse.  A special Mother’s Day draw will be held for a 14K white gold diamond pendant set with 34 diamonds. Entry forms will be available in Sunday’s live racing program and must be deposited at the Draw Box located at the winner’s circle before 4:30 p.m.

 OUT OF TOWN SCOREBOARD

 The buzz over last week’s Kentucky Derby has barely cooled down and there is another 3-year-old race of note with the $200,000 Peter Pan at Belmonton Saturday.  It goes as the 9^th race on theNew York card at 2:06 p.m. (PST).   Saturday also marks the kick-off to the Monmouth season.

May 10, 2012

 Vancouver, BC:  On Sunday, May 13^th Kentucky Derby winner Mario Gutierrez will host a special press conference at Hastings Racecourse to celebrate his extraordinary accomplishment and address numerous media questions. Gutierrez will speak to the media as he prepares for the second jewel of racing’s Triple Crown- the Preakness on May 19^th.

 Following the press conference, Gutierrez will take the time to meet his fans who watched him win the Derby and supported him all the way. A public meet and greet will be held at the racetrack starting at 1 pm on Sunday, May 13^th. 

 What: Press Conference with Mario Gutierrez followed by a public Meet & Greet

When: Sunday, May 13^th at 12:00 pm

Where: Press Conference will be held at the Eclipse Lounge – (Hastings Racecourse)

 Hastings Racecourse is located in Vancouver, B.C. and features live and simulcast wagering, a vibrant gaming floor, numerous dining options, private and public event facility rental opportunities, spectacular views of the North Shore Mountains and outstanding guest services.

 Media members interested in attending this event, please contact Sonja Mandic, Manager, Media and Responsible Gaming, Great Canadian Gaming Corporation at smandic@gcgaming.com or 604.889.7114 to confirm your attendance.

 For interview opportunities related to Great Canadian Gaming Corporation and Hastings Racecourse, please contact Howard Blank, Vice President, Entertainment, Communications and Responsible Gaming, Great Canadian Gaming Corporation at hblank@gcgaming.com or 604.512.6066.

By Greg Douglas

Afermath of Mario’s Kentucky Derby Win

Still Had Fan Buzzing at Hastings Sunday

 Vancouver, B.C. (May 6/12) — Mario Gutierrez remained first and foremost on the minds of pretty well everyone at Hastings Racecourse Sunday afternoon in the aftermath of his stunning Kentucky Derby win Satuday at Churchill Downs.

No matter where anyone wandered throughout the grounds Sunday,  the conversation inevitably turned to the 25-year-old jockey who pushed thoroughbred racing onto the front pages of newspapers and lead items on national television newscasts throughout North America.

Gutierrez, who honed his riding skills at Hastings, captured the 138th running of the Kentucky Derby with a stirring upset victory aboard I¹ll Have Another, owned by Canadian Paul Reddam of Windsor, Ontario.

Gutierrez became the first jockey to win from outside post 19 and what made the victory even sweeter was the fact I¹ll Have Another was a 15-1 longshot and beat the favoured Bodemeister by 1 1/2 lengths. I¹ll Have Another returned $32.60, $13.80 and $9.00.

A Hastings Racecourse  crowd estimated at more than 8,000 watched in awe on a 40-foot screen and hundreds of television sets at every level of the track as their hometown hero took the first step in winning the Triple Crown, the first since the great 3-year-old Affirmed in 1978.

The second jewel of the Triple Crown is the Preakness Stakes on May 19 followed by the Belmont Stakes on June 9.  Already Hastings general manager Raj Mutti is making plans for bigger and more extravagant local coverage of the Preakness at Hastings Racecourse. There could even be a Super Mario Bobble Head Doll  in the offing.

With literaly hundreds of media requests for his time, Gutierrez didn¹t get to bed until 2:30 a.m. following his Derby win.  “I am not complainting,” he says. “It gives me the opportunity to thank my friends and fans in Vancouver and mention Hastings Racecourse every chance I get.”
The man who is given credit for taking Mario under his wing is multi-horse owner Glen Todd, who along with veteran trainer Troy Taylor have tutored Gutierrez through his career at Hastings They were also responsible for Mario¹s introduction to the Santa Anita racing fraternity, resulting in his riding I¹ll Have Another.

Todd, his ownership partner Patrick Kinsella and Taylor, the iconic 80-year-old trainer, were in a state of shock when their boy scored the biggest victory of his career in Louisville, Kentucky on Satuday.  

Almost lost in all of the excitement generated by Gutierrez Saturday was the fact a couple of major stakes races went into the Hastings record book on the weekend.  Taylor Said (Fernando Perez) came from off the pace Sunday to win the $50,000 John Longden 6000 while Clear the Runway (Pedro Alvarado)  won Saturday¹s $50,000 Jim Coleman Province.

Racing resumes at Hastings Saturday and Sunday with 1:50 p.m. start times.

By Greg Douglas

MARIO GUTIERREZ WINS KENTUCKY DERBY

SETTING OFF A CELEBRATION AT HASTINGS RACECOURSE

Vancouver, B.C. (May 5/12) – Hometown jockey Mario Gutierrez had a delirious crowd of 8,000 fans at Hastings Racecourse cheering wildly as they watched his stunning victory aboard I’ll Have Another win the 138^th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.

 The biggest race of Mario’s young riding career was shown live atHastingson a 40-foot jumbo screen in the infield alongside the tote board along with hundreds of television screens throughout the grounds.

 The victory cries from his hometown supporters were bouncing off theNorthShoremountains as I’ll Have another overtook favourite Bodemeister in the stretch to win by a length and a half in a final time of 2:01.83. I’ll Have Another, a $35,000 auction purchase, went off at 15-1 and paid $32.60 to win.  It was the firstDerbyvictory for owner J. Paul Reddam and trainer Doug O’Neill.

 Gutierrez began riding atHastingsin 2006 as a 19-year-old and quickly became a fan favorite, winning the leading jockey title back-to-back in 2007 and 2008.

 During the week leading up the Kentucky Derby Gutierrez as kept busy on a daily basis granting interviews from theVancouvernewspaper, radio and television media.  With his win at Churchill Downs Saturday, he literally put thoroughbred racing at Hastings Racecourse on the international racing map.

Mario has arrived at Churchill Downs and attended the Derby Draw yesterday afternoon.  His horse I’ll Have Another drew post 19 in the field of 20 but he said that didn’t bother him one bit as his horse has good tatical speed and he should have clear sailing to get him in a good position early and avoid all the traffic inside of him.

Today Mario can be caught live on the Team 1040 with Matt Sekeres at 1:15pm doing the interview.

Tomorrow Friday, Steve Darling will be doing a live interview with Mario on Global TV between 7:00 and 8:00am.

Mario has 3 mounts on Friday’s card and Churchill and 3 mounts on Derby Day.

Friday:  2nd Race: Unex Dale, Koko Loca  in the 8th race and Boxeur des Rues in the 9th race.

Saturday: Cook Inlet in the 4th race, Boxeur des Rues in the 10th race and of course I’ll Have Another in the Kentucky Derby which goes as race 11 on card.

Mario wants to thank all of the support he continues to get from his friends in Vancouver as the emails contine to flow in. You can wish Mario well via email at Mario Alberto Gutierrez <sueter_magc@hotmail.com>