Breeders’ Cup controversy: Why did bettors lose money on $1 million winner?

Modern Games won the $1 million Juvenile Turf at the Breeders’ Cup. Anyone who bet on him didn't cash a ticket and got their money back because of a mistake by the veterinarians.

Albahr and Modern Games were scratched from the Breeders' Cup. After a delay, Modern Game will run after all for purse money only. Modern games won the 1 mile turf race under jockey William Buick by 1 1/2 lengths.

The horse was taken out of the wagering pools when it was racing sound. Dr. Chuck Jenkins called the stewards to report the scratch.

Jenkins and vet Dr. Dana Stead were behind the gate and saw Modern Games rear and hit himself. They also saw Albahr underneath the fence. The assistant starter let Modern Game out of the gates. Vets called the scratch into the stewards before they knew Modern games had been let out.

In a regular race in California, there is a single racing veterinarian assigned to call the stewards to report the number and name of a horse being removed from a race. At the Breeders’ Cup, however, the veterinarian is involved in every race for safety reasons.

The steward could have left the horse scratched. It would not have been fair to the owner, trainer and jockey when the animal was sound to race.

There was a $1 million bet on a horse that didn't win. It's extremely rare in a major event like the Breeders’ Cup.

Albaham's 2-year-old gelding suffered superficial cuts. Jockey Frankie Dettori walked away and wasn't hurt.

The rule requires that off-track wagering outlets be notified at the same time if a horse is removed from the wager pool to start in a race as a non-wagered interest for purse only.

Modern Games got his picture taken in the winner's circle and earned $520,000 for Godolphin Stable. God Dolphin Stables is owned by Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, ruler of Dubai.

Tiz the Bomb won $17.60, $7.40 and $5.20 for bettors.

The CHRB and Breeders’ Cup are reviewing current veterinary and scratch procedures to ensure a similar mistake doesn't happen again.