A drive from Veracruz, Mexico, to Belmont Park would take almost two full days and cover 1,992 miles. Throw in a detour to tiny Hastings Park in Vancouver and stops at race courses in California, and you get an idea of what Mario Gutierrez has gone through since 2006.
On Sept. 26, 1992, North Carolina State traveled to Kenan Stadium to face rival North Carolina. The Wolfpack's quarterbacks coach that day, Mike O'Cain, still hasn't forgotten the magic he witnessed. Quarterback Terry Jordan completed 23 of 25 passes for 361 yards as N.C. State won 27-20.
