Santa Anita's 3rd Race Declared No Contest

Santa Anita stewards declared Saturday’s third race, run at 6 ½ furlongs down the track’s hillside turf course, a no-contest, with all single-race monies wagered on the seven runners refunded.

The trouble started when No. 3, Muny, broke through the gate prematurely. Just as he broke through, the rest of the gate doors opened, resulting in assistant starters holding on to their respective horses, No. 1, Lord’s Minister, No. 2, Circle Drive and No. 4, Crossing The Line.

In making their ruling, stewards Scott Chaney, Kim Sawyer and Tom Ward cited CHRB rule 1544 b., which stipulates that if “due to mechanical failure or interference, the majority of the field is effected, then the race may be declared a no-contest.”

In addition to refunds on wagers placed on runners in the third race, all third-race horses used in the 50 cent Pick Five, 50 cent Pick Four, $1 Pick Threes and rolling $2 doubles are considered as winners and those wagers are still “live.”

Santa Anita in agreement with the Thoroughbred Owners of California (TOC), will distribute purse money as though the race had been run without incident.

Accordingly, the $35,000 purse was divided thusly: The first-place finisher Mr. Bossy Pants will receive $21,000, the second-place finisher Sky Cape will get $7,000 and the third place finisher Oak Kye Why, will receive $4,200. The remaining monies will be divided amongst the other four horses, with each of them getting $875.00.

All jockeys, trainers and owners will all be paid normal percentages and fees according to where their respective mounts finished.