It’s No Contest as Starting Gate Stops Horse Race

ALBANY, Calif. —  As nine horses thundered into the stretch at Golden Gate Fields Wednesday, the track announcer screamed at jockeys to keep their mounts from crashing into a starting gate that was stalled on the track.

No horses or riders were injured, and the $15,000 feature race was declared “no contest” by stewards. All bets were refunded.

“It’s the first time I can remember something like this at this track since 1950,” a spokesman said. The tractor that usually pulls the gate off the track broke down, and a backup tractor spun its wheels, failing to budge the gate.

Announcer John Gibson saw the trouble and shouted to jockeys over the loudspeaker, telling them to pull up as they came around the final turn of the mile race. Assistant starters also waved down the riders.