VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – A local horsing legend has once again returned to Hastings Racecourse in Vancouver.

Mario Gutierrez will be riding in the BC Derby tomorrow. His mentor, Glen Todd, says Gutierrez is a naturally gifted jockey with a God given talent.

“He communicates with the horse really well. He’s got gifted hands. A horse will relax because he can take a hold of the reigns and feel the way that he’s holding them,” notes Todd.

He took the Mexican jockey under his wing when he arrived in Vancouver in 2006. Todd says the two of them have had a successful working relationship for several years now.

“The fellow that discovered him in Mexico said [to me], ‘When you get a chance to, put this fellow on a couple of horses. I think he’s going to be a good rider,’” explains Todd. “So the first horse I put him on he won, then the second one. The relationship started and we’ve been together ever since.”

Gutierrez is riding three of Todd’s horses tomorrow, and he’s really hoping for a win because he’s never captured the BC Derby.

“He’s on one of my horses in the derby that is one of the favourites. I’m always optimistic. You can’t win if you’re not in the race.”

The derby is a $200,000 prize — the richest at Hastings Racecourse.