[Nepeta]

In nearly 50 years of following racing, I've never seen a chart like this:

http://www.equibase.com/static/chart/pdf/CT022912USA.html

I will dig around my horsey sources and try to get some details.

The race had to be official. The start was normal, and there was no obstacle to a normal finish (rarely, the starting gate is stalled across the track, which leads to a no-contest ruling). As long as a horse has a rider at the finish--and that can include a rider up in the air, clinging to the reins--races become official.

[Nepeta]

The filly who broke down, Sharp Beauty, was euthanized.

All the others had cuts and bruises, but walked off, which is amazing.

Riders were hospitalized, but none had life-threatening injuries, and at last report two remained in hospital.

Video is here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9T9hJdm28aY

The "horrifying deaths" report is just wrong. At the start, the horse in the #1 post stumbles badly at the start-the rider does a remarkable job of staying in the saddle. #3, Miss Fifty, in the maroon silks, is the eventual survivor and winner. Her rider,Oswald Pereira, shows great skill and determination to stay on her back and in the irons. Watch the entire video--after the 'winner' is pulled up, a loose horse nearly collides with her.