starting gate

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Each Derby candidate has only one or two chances remaining to earn one of the 20 stalls in the oversized starting gate at Churchill Downs.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 6, 2026

With one surgically rebuilt knee and a completely torn ACL in the other, the 41-year-old Vonn gutted her way to the starting gate and had a real chance of medaling before her violent crash.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 14, 2026

Vonn crashed just 13 seconds after leaving the starting gate, losing control and falling hard on the course.

From Salon • Feb. 8, 2026

"I will not go home regretting not trying, I will do everything in my power to be in that starting gate."

From BBC • Feb. 3, 2026

Coming into the race with an excellent shot at winning, Granville fumed, stormed, and lathered through the post parade and bounced and shimmied in the starting gate.

From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand