Well, This Is Pretty Much The Worst Ending For A Horse Race

And this is why you should never play the ponies: the human element.

Let's go to Beulah Park in Ohio, where 23-1 longshot Sterling Emblem led the fourth race wire-to-wire. The problem is, her jockey didn't know where that wire was. With a comfortable five-length lead, Alberto Pusac pulled up after the seventh furlong. The race was actually a mile and 70 yards (8+ furlongs), and Sterling Emblem was quickly passed down the stretch, finishing third.

Pusac, a seven-year vet, has a meeting with track stewards today to explain just what happened. No one thinks the fix is in, not in a $3500 claiming race in Grove City, Ohio, and not under spectacularly obvious conditions. But, holy shit, if you had Sterling Emblem—or Sterling Emblem boxed with the eventual 19-1 winner—it's probably time to give up gambling forever.

Beulah Park: Rider misjudges finish line on 23-1 shot [Daily Racing Form] [h/t Steven]