20 minutes of chaos: how the Modern Games drama unfolded at the Breeders' Cup

It is almost certainly one of the biggest controversies in the 38 editions of the Breeders' Cup. So how did the Modern Games saga unfold?

The incident: With loading well under way, Albahr rears up in stall two and briefly hooks both front legs over the front of the stall. He then goes down in the stall, facing the wrong way.

One of the assistant starters releases the front of stall one to allow William Buick and Modern Games to get clear of the flailing Albahr.

1 minute after the incident: Having been pulled clear of Albahr by an assistant starter, Frankie Dettori walks away shaken but unharmed.

1m 30sec: Albahr is led riderless onto the dirt track having not suffered any major injury. He is automatically scratched by stewards.

4m 30sec: The on-track veterinarian Dr Hayes explains the scratching of Albahr to television viewers and says that: "The horses around that horse are currently being evaluated to make sure they are OK to go ahead and run."

5m 30sec: NBC cameras show Charlie Appleby walking back down the tunnel as Modern Games is announced as having also been scratched. Godolphin's challenge for the Juvenile Turf appears to be over before it starts.

Two California Horse Racing Board vets positioned behind the stalls believe that Modern Games pushed through the front of the gate.

11m: After being informed that he had been let out by the assistant starter, Modern Games is examined by vets and the scratching is reversed. He will now be allowed to start.

However, under rule 1974B of the California Horse Racing Board rules, with the US pari-mutuel market already reforming minus the two absent Godolphin horses and with some bettors having been refunded, he will not be counted as a participant for betting purposes.

Modern Games is now "only" running for the prize-money and his race record.

19m: Modern Games wins the 2021 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf from Tiz The Bomb, who will be paid out as the winner in the US for betting purposes. William Buick returns to the boos of the crowd, many of whom have missed out on backing a winning favourite.

Read more from Friday at the Breeders' Cup . . .

Drama and confusion as Charlie Appleby wins Juvenile Turf after 'surreal' start

Bob Baffert on target at the Breeders' Cup amid doping controversies

Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf 1-2 paid out as winners after pre-race 'debacle'

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