On Saturday, March 28 at Buffalo Raceway, the 12th race was shaping up like a two-horse contest between Keystone Resident -- the five horse, driven by Matt Kakaley -- and Undersky Oceanus, the four horse which was steered by Chris Page
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The horses had a six-length lead on the field entering the stretch. It was a good battle through the lane, with Keystone Resident having a slight edge. Then the unthinkable happened. Undersky Oceanus bolted right into Keystone Resident and went down on the track, right before the finish line.
Snapping off finish line photos, photographer Paul White also caught driver Chris Page in mid-air as Undersky Oceanus was going down.
Unbelievably, Page did not hit the ground, even though he was bolted from his race bike. Undersky Oceanus got right back up, and, although he was startled, he stayed right there at the finish line until Page came over and grabbed the lines.
When it was all over, both horse and driver went back to the paddock uninjured.
To add a little more spice to the story, Undersky Oceanus was claimed for $10,000 by Mike Torcello, Marc Vogel, and the Wags Nags stable.
Live action at Buffalo Raceway will resume today with first race post scheduled for 5:00 p.m.
(With files from Buffalo Raceway)