A riderless horse named Downtown Hottie finished first at a race at New York's Belmont Park on Wednesday after throwing her jockey right out of the gate.
Many horses that lose or throw their jockey during the race generally stray off course, but Downtown Hottie kept at a steady pace behind the front runners in the middle of the pack until making her move midway through the race as if she were being guided by an invisible hand.
Downtown Hottie went on to finish almost a full length, approximately eight feet, in front of the next fastest horse – Whole Lotta Shakin’.
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Despite her effort, the horse was disqualified from the race as are all horses finishing without a jockey.
The 115-pound jockey, Luis Saez, was reportedly not injured from the fall.
Reporting on the race, Britain’s Daily Mail summed it up: "But the mare certainly trumped the other horses as far as any of the spectators were concerned, and proved that a strong, independent filly was better off unburdened by the constant whipping of a little man upon her back . . . She serves as an inspiration to all of us."
Similar commentary, though less feminist in nature, was found at Yahoo Sports where sports journalist Jay Busbee quipped, "Let Downtown Hottie inspire you, friends, to toss your own nagging little jockey on your back and run for the roses."
Other observers also weighed in with praise on Twitter.
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