Gutierrez rides Commander in Breeders’ Cup

It is hard to believe, 28 years after the inaugural running of the Breeders’ Cup, B.C. racing fans for the first time will have a chance to cheer for a horse that truly does have a direct connection with Hastings Racecourse.

Commander, owned by White Rock resident Glen Todd, goes into Friday’s $500,000 Breeders’ Cup Marathon with a six-race consecutive win streak, all achieved in Western Canada.

His jockey will be local favourite Mario Gutierrez, who has ridden him in his last five victories.

Although he is considered a long shot at 15-1, Commander has gained respect from so-called expert punters at Santa Anita, and while this is a firsttime experience for all three to be in the big race, the human connections cannot wait to accept this challenge.

“It’s a big deal having a horse racing on Breeders’ Cup day,” said Todd. “Sure I would love to win, because that would cap off the great year we already have had. But I’m a realist.

“If they give my horse an easy lead, they better watch out. I know he can run that far. I just do not know if he can run that distance with the calibre of horses he’s facing.

“Commander improved so much I thought he deserved a chance.”

When asked what was behind his horse improving enough to accomplish that win streak, Todd said: “He was a real rouge horse so we gelded (neutered) him and he became a different horse after winning the Premiers’ at Hastings.

“Mario (Gutierrez) told me it wasn’t him, it was all the horse and he never hit him at all.”

As for Gutierrez, who won the first two legs of the Triple Crown with I’ll Have Another, not much has changed since those wins. He remains as popular here as he did in Vancouver.

“I am super excited,” said Gutierrez. “Imagine riding horses for the same people who got me started — Mr. Reddam, Doug O’Neil, Troy (Taylor) and Glen — in the Breeders’ Cup.

“It’s also going to be great riding Commander, who has the talent and potential to surprise a lot of people.”

Gutierrez has several friends, including girlfriend Rebecca, flying in from Vancouver to watch.

“It’s like a dream come true,” Gutierrez said.