Teddy Roosevelt took a lead into the home stretch of Thursday’s presidents race at Nationals Park, but ran off the field through an open gate, giving Thomas Jefferson the win.
The Nationals’ presidents race ran in a novel route Thursday afternoon, starting in left field foul territory, and racing for the first time ever towards a finish line placed in center field.
Fans cheered as Teddy Roosevelt jumped out to a early lead, and after Calvin Coolidge face-planted on the warning track, only Thomas Jefferson posed a threat to the Rough Rider.
But the usual center field starting gate was open, and Teddy inexplicably ran right through it and out of the stadium, leaving the field to Jefferson.
3 videos today: First, the full in-stadium race video follows as called by Jerome Hruska, followed by a nifty on-field view of the finish from @Teddy26Nats, and finally as called on TV.
Enjoy: