On a clear, bright sunny day in Southern California, the members of the famous detective agency Mystery Incorporated, or Mystery Inc. for short stand at the start/finish line of the equally famous race track known as Santa Anita.
The reason for this conclave is because Velma, Shaggy, Scooby Doo, Fred and Daphne are chatting with a dark brown haired man in his mid fifties. The man, whose name is Jeremiah Reynolds, is a cousin of one of the members of the group, specifically Velma Dinkley.
Several weeks ago, Mr. Reynolds wrote Velma in regards to some rather unusual happenings at Santa Anita, specifically involving some of the jockeys at the track. At the present time, Velma and her friends are transfixed by what the bespectacled young woman's cousin is telling them.
"I just can't understand what's going on around here." Jeremiah said.
"From the contents of your letter cousin Jeremiah, it sounded like something very strange around here. And it sounded like something that you need Mystery Inc. to investigate." Velma replied.
"It is Velma, it is." Jeremiah responded.
"Why don't you explain to us what's going on Mr. Reynolds, maybe we can pick up a clue or two from what you tell us." Fred replied.
"Sure thing Fred. It all started several weeks ago; after the end of one of the races, one of our jockeys, a man named Roger Porter, was headed for the jockey lounge to grab a snack and a soda before he headed home. Unfortunately he never made it to the lounge." Jeremiah explained.
"Never made it? What happened to him?" Daphne asked, with a curious look on her face.
"We're not entirely sure. All we know is that a few hours after he disappeared, myself, and a couple of the higher ups here were passing by one of the horse stalls, when we spotted Mr. Porter. At first we thought he was checking on one of his horses, but when we walked closer to him, he stepped up to us; however, something was definitely off about him." Jeremiah clarified.
"Like what?" Shaggy asked.
"Believe it or not, he walked up to us as a half horse, half human, a centaur." Jeremiah replied.