Stewards declare horse a non-starter

DEL MAR, Calif. - Del Mar had to refund $527,606 in wagers on Sunday after Papa Papa Papa was declared a non-starter in race 9. The stewards ruled his break from the gate had been compromised because the gate opened simultaneous to an assistant starter grabbing his head to keep him straightened.

It was an unfortunate, split-second incident, but Papa Papa Papa got off well behind the field, rushed up, then tired and was eased. Stewards ruled he had not been afforded a fair chance, and ordered refunds.

All wagers that included Papa Papa Papa in the win, place, show, exacta, trifecta, and superfecta pools were refunded, along with those using him in the first leg in the day’s final daily double.