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Couldn't find any video doing searches at YouTube, but the best stunt ever was when a guy named Lee Ferrell ran out onto the track during a race on the undercard of the Preakness in 1999 at Pimlico. I'm sure some remember. He came out from the infield and stood in the middle of the track in deep stretch as the field came barreling toward him. He threw a punch at the 4/5 favorite Artax (who was gonna be 3rd at best). It was declared "no race" and he was arrested.
http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/sports/1999/05/16/1999-05-16_man_runs_on_track__punches_a.html
AT HORSE
By BILL FINLEY
Sunday, May 16th 1999, 2:10AM
BALTIMORE A Preakness Day fan ran onto the track during yesterday's seventh race at Pimlico. The 22-year-old man managed to avoid being trampled despite squaring himself and taking an awkward punch at Artax, the 4-5 favorite in the $200,000 Maryland Breeders' Cup Handicap.
Police took Lee Ferrell into custody and to Sinai Hospital for psychiatric evaluation after the incident, but no charges were immediately filed.
It was the second straight year that Preakness Day was partially overshadowed by an incident at beleaguered Pimlico. A power failure during the 1998 Preakness left fans sweltering inside the grandstand on a 92-degree day and caused betting machines to shut down.
Track management is sure to take another hit over the latest incident as questions were already being asked about inadequate security measures.
The man climbed the infield fence right in front of a handful of security guards, scaled the rails on the turf and dirt courses and then stood in the middle of the track for about 15 seconds waiting for the on-charging horses.
Standing near the eighth-pole, he zeroed in on Artax and jockey Jorge Chavez. Chavez swerved out of the man's way at the last second, but said the man managed to strike him in his right leg with the punch.
"He could've been killed, my horse could've broke down, anything could've happened," Chavez said. "Anybody could've been dead. Thank God that didn't happen.
"The main thing is, it never should have happened," Chavez continued. "It's a very dangerous situation. In the future, they need to have more people to be there watching so that no one jumps out like that."
Joe DeFrancis, president and CEO of the Maryland Jockey Club, defended his track's security procedures. "We have more than 1,000 security guards at the facility between Baltimore city police, the National Guard and our own police and private security," DeFrancis said. "We have one guard for every 100 people and that's a high level of security. If someone is crazy and is determined to commit suicide, there's nothing anybody can do about it."
It was not clear whether the man had been drinking alcohol or was suffering from some other problem. Pimlico allows fans to bring their own beer into the track. Churchill Downs does not allow fans to bring in alcohol for the Kentucky Derby.
Clearly impeded, Artax still finished fifth. Bets made on him were refunded, but owner Paraneck Stable will collect the $6,000 awarded to the fifth-place finisher.
http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/sports/1999/05/16/1999-05-16_man_runs_on_track__punches_a.html
AT HORSE
By BILL FINLEY
Sunday, May 16th 1999, 2:10AM
BALTIMORE A Preakness Day fan ran onto the track during yesterday's seventh race at Pimlico. The 22-year-old man managed to avoid being trampled despite squaring himself and taking an awkward punch at Artax, the 4-5 favorite in the $200,000 Maryland Breeders' Cup Handicap.
Police took Lee Ferrell into custody and to Sinai Hospital for psychiatric evaluation after the incident, but no charges were immediately filed.
It was the second straight year that Preakness Day was partially overshadowed by an incident at beleaguered Pimlico. A power failure during the 1998 Preakness left fans sweltering inside the grandstand on a 92-degree day and caused betting machines to shut down.
Track management is sure to take another hit over the latest incident as questions were already being asked about inadequate security measures.
The man climbed the infield fence right in front of a handful of security guards, scaled the rails on the turf and dirt courses and then stood in the middle of the track for about 15 seconds waiting for the on-charging horses.
Standing near the eighth-pole, he zeroed in on Artax and jockey Jorge Chavez. Chavez swerved out of the man's way at the last second, but said the man managed to strike him in his right leg with the punch.
"He could've been killed, my horse could've broke down, anything could've happened," Chavez said. "Anybody could've been dead. Thank God that didn't happen.
"The main thing is, it never should have happened," Chavez continued. "It's a very dangerous situation. In the future, they need to have more people to be there watching so that no one jumps out like that."
Joe DeFrancis, president and CEO of the Maryland Jockey Club, defended his track's security procedures. "We have more than 1,000 security guards at the facility between Baltimore city police, the National Guard and our own police and private security," DeFrancis said. "We have one guard for every 100 people and that's a high level of security. If someone is crazy and is determined to commit suicide, there's nothing anybody can do about it."
It was not clear whether the man had been drinking alcohol or was suffering from some other problem. Pimlico allows fans to bring their own beer into the track. Churchill Downs does not allow fans to bring in alcohol for the Kentucky Derby.
Clearly impeded, Artax still finished fifth. Bets made on him were refunded, but owner Paraneck Stable will collect the $6,000 awarded to the fifth-place finisher.
Found this on YouTube. It's 9 minutes long, but all you need to watch is the first minute.
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