An ambulance that is supposed to provide medical attention to jockeys nearly caused a human and equine tragedy by going the wrong way toward a field of speeding Quarter Horses running in Saturday night’s eighth race at Evangeline Downs in Opelousas, La.
Eight stakes veteran runners broke from the gate in the night’s final race, an 870-yard event around one turn on the mile oval. As they approached the turn, a number of jockeys could be seen trying to pull up or swing their mounts off the rail when a slow-moving vehicle from the Acadian Ambulance company suddenly appeared on the inside of the racetrack.
Miraculously, all of the horses managed to escape colliding with the ambulance, with jockey E.T. Vera and Kvn Valiant Corona, who broke the No. 1 post position, having to make the most dramatic move. (SEE VIDEO BELOW)
One Fast Cajun and jockey Kody Kellenbergert finished first in the race, but not all of the jockeys persevered with their mounts because of the mid-race incident involving the ambulance. The race was declared “no contest” by stewards, with all bets being refunded…