Steve 'StatMan'
01-19-2005, 08:50 PM
Odd occurance at Delta Downs, handled fairly IMO by the Stewards.
Race 2 - 1 1/16 miles, from far back in the home stretch chute.
#1 Austin's Assassin was declared a Non-Starter.
At the break, the horse had his head twisted to the side and dwelt in the gate for many seconds. He eventually leaves the gate and is attempting to run down the chute. Meanwhile, the rest of the field has entered the main track.
Now comes the odd occurance.
The Ambulance, which had been sitting in the far turn (as normal) waiting for the field to pass so it can follow the pack, begins to drive out of the turn. With the big white outer fence, they couldn't see the late starting Austin's Assassin. The ambulance quickly speeds out of the turn, spooking Austin's Assassin who is just reaching the turn, losing rider Trey Aguilar.
Now with no chance at all to 'compete', #1 Austin's Assassin is declared a non-starter.
Sadly, the incident is just outside of camera range, so you won't see it on the replay, but you can deduce what is happening, now that you know the story. I'm certainly glad horse, rider and ambulance didn't collide - don't know how close that was. I suspect horse and rider are fine.
Race 2 - 1 1/16 miles, from far back in the home stretch chute.
#1 Austin's Assassin was declared a Non-Starter.
At the break, the horse had his head twisted to the side and dwelt in the gate for many seconds. He eventually leaves the gate and is attempting to run down the chute. Meanwhile, the rest of the field has entered the main track.
Now comes the odd occurance.
The Ambulance, which had been sitting in the far turn (as normal) waiting for the field to pass so it can follow the pack, begins to drive out of the turn. With the big white outer fence, they couldn't see the late starting Austin's Assassin. The ambulance quickly speeds out of the turn, spooking Austin's Assassin who is just reaching the turn, losing rider Trey Aguilar.
Now with no chance at all to 'compete', #1 Austin's Assassin is declared a non-starter.
Sadly, the incident is just outside of camera range, so you won't see it on the replay, but you can deduce what is happening, now that you know the story. I'm certainly glad horse, rider and ambulance didn't collide - don't know how close that was. I suspect horse and rider are fine.