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Most starting gates work by virtue of magnets on the gates holding them closed, and need electricity to do that. When the starter presses the button he is actually cutting power to the system allowing the gates to spring open.
Given the nature of Kentucky Downs, it's doubtful they have electricity around the course since I don't even think they have a beam timing system there.
My guess it that the starting gate runs off of something like a car battery and no one checked it at the start of the meet (it worked last time we used it!) and at some point in the ill-fated race the battery charge wasn't enough to hold the doors closed.
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