Gate malfunction leads to no-contest

The eighth race Friday night at Delta Downs was declared a no-contest after the starting gate wasn’t pulled from the track before the horses hit the stretch in the two-turn optional claimer. There was a malfunction with the gate, the track announced, but crews were able to move it into the infield just as the horses were approaching it.

Emanuel Nieves, aboard front-runner Tallahatchie Luke, rode a heads-up race to angle his horse out in the stretch, steering clear of danger. Tallahatchie Luke ended up finishing first in a photo over Watch My Smoke. There were no injuries as a result of the gate mishap.

Delta Downs refunded all wagers on the eighth race. The remainder of the card went on without incident Friday.