Friday’s news a bitter reminder that horse racing game is filled with many disappointments

SCENE & HEARD: With a stream of sunshine slicing through the clouds during the early hours of Friday at Hastings Racecourse, horse owner

Glen Todd inhaled a deep breath of the morning fresh air and said: “This is going to be one, great day.” Within minutes, Todd and Hastings GM

Raj Mutti were on their way for a live television interview at the CTV studios on Burrard Street. They left in Todd’s car but returned by cab. Between the parking ticket and Big Bully Buster’s towing charges, Todd was out $ 145 and Mutti picked up the taxi fare back to the track.

Todd, Mutti and Great Canadian Gaming vice- president

Howard Blank had been patiently obliging the media about the running of the 144th Belmont Stakes in New York and the incredible rise to stardom of local jockey Mario Gutierrez aboard I’ll Have Another.

It was at precisely 8: 15 a. m. when Hastings employee Matt

Jukich broke up the laughter about the tow truck when he read out loud a text message he’d discovered that said: “We don’t deal in rumours but there is enough independent confirmation to suggest that I’ll Have Another has been scratched from the Belmont Stakes. More information is forthcoming.”

Within minutes the report had been confirmed by CNN, NBC, Fox TV and ESPN: I’ll Have Another had suffered a “sprung tendon” after his gallop Friday morning and not only would he be scratched from the Belmont but it would mark the end of his budding three- yearold career.

Todd can best be described as being Mario Gutierrez’ mentor. He took the talented rider under his wing four years ago and tutored him every step of the way through the learning years of his young life. Todd signed him to a riding contract and invited him to live at the Todd residence in White Rock. Mario became part of the family.

“This game is full of disappointments,” Todd said on the tarmac at Hastings Friday. “These things can happen to any horse on any given day. The story wasn’t supposed to end this way but that’s horse racing. I’ve just got to make sure now that Mario comes through this OK.”

Mario’s initial reaction was to pick up his belongings at Belmont and fly home to Vancouver. Todd, who was hurting as much as anyone, simply said: “You stay there, you ride the horses you’ve been assigned to on Saturday and we’ll talk Sunday.”

Mario and I’ll Have Another will lead the procession of the Belmont Stakes parade to the post today before the 3: 40 p. m. start of the $ 1 million race that very well might have resulted in the first Triple Crown champion in 34 years.

Glen Todd was right. This was a story that wasn’t supposed to end this way.