The fans go crazy. The jockey on the leader may be forced to use the whip just to keep the attention of his mount fixed on the task. But with or without a whip, that second horse closes. And the fans go even crazier. But if the second horse can win by even a nose, the stands erupt.
People toss smiles in all directions.
Some jump up and down in place. Maybe clap their hands over their head. Almost as if each owned the horse. This is true in racing of any kind. Runners, whether a sixty yard dash or a marathon.