Late fall enough to give punters nightmares

As far as bad luck stories go, horse racing doesn’t serve up much better than this.

You can’t help but feel for punters who were on their way to the collect window when Fallen Leaf looked home and hosed in the 11^th race at Gulfstream Park racecourse in Florida.

Fallen Leaf, a two-year-old filly with some form in the misbehaviour stakes, was within metres of the line when the horse was spooked. It all went south very quickly from there.

A jump was followed by a collision with the railing and the jockey hitting the ground.

Fallen Leaf had been backed in from 10-1 to 7-1 on race day.

So punters, next time you fret over your nag being run down with the finish line in sight, spare a thought for your brethren in the US.