He was so distraught, he never put any effort into it at all. The starting gate is the most overlooked and dangerous part of a horse race. Although the run to the first turn is often called the most critical part, the start is just as important. The gate is where bad breaks, bad luck and injuries often happen. So do some of the jockeys, riding for the first time in America s greatest race.
Horses can bang around or jump through the gate.
The infield has been drinking and partying, and the horses react to that. That s what happened with Tabasco Cat in his failed run seven years ago. Then he threw one. He had a temper. He lost his cool.