At Colonial Downs Racecourse in New Kent, a photo finish left officials unable to decide the winner or third-place finisher in a highly unusual outcome on Friday. This event marked the 15th “double dead heat” in the same race since 1990, a rarity given that over two million horse races have taken place across North America during that period, according to the track’s announcement.
While dead heats happen a few times annually worldwide, a double dead heat remains exceptionally rare, particularly since photofinish technology was introduced. Frank Hop, Colonial Downs’ senior director of racing, shared, “In my 20 years in the racing industry, this was a first for me. It highlights the excitement and fierce competition that draws fans to every race day here.”
The opening race on Friday, a $70,000 “Maiden Special,” featured Magic Wallet, ridden by Victor Carrasco, who completed the race in one minute and 4.59 seconds, claiming first place. Birdy Whisper (ridden by Johan Rosado) and Smols (ridden by Gavin Ashton) finished simultaneously at 1:06.34, tying for third place. Notably, Birdy Whisper and Smols are both owned and trained by CM Thoroughbred’s Carlos Munoz.
This unusual finish created complexities for bettors, resulting in two winners, two different exacta outcomes (first and second place picks), four variations of trifecta results (first, second, and third picks), and four separate superfecta outcomes (first through fourth picks). Colonial Downs is gearing up for a major racing festival on August 9th, which will be the largest race day in Virginia’s history, offering over $2.5 million in prize money.
Fan Take: This rare double dead heat showcases the unpredictability and thrill of horse racing, captivating fans and bettors alike. It’s moments like these that remind us why the sport remains exciting and why advancements in technology, while helpful, can’t always settle the most intense finishes.
