STARTING GATE Definition & Meaning

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starting gate

noun

any of various types of movable barriers for lining up and giving an equal start to the entries in a horse or dog race.

starting gate

noun

a movable barrier so placed on the starting line of a racecourse that the raising of it releases all the contestants simultaneously
the US name for starting stalls

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of starting gate¹

First recorded in 1895–1900

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Citizen Bull will have enough points to make the starting gate, while Barnes, a $3.2-million purchase, will be left at home.

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Even finishing last in Saturday’s race will bring him more points, most assuredly gaining him a spot in the Derby starting gate.

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The Kentucky Derby picture got more muddled after the penultimate series of races to determine which horses will make the starting gate at Churchill Downs on May 3.

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The way he sees it, his team has only earned a spot at the starting gate.

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Citizen Bull also won the American Pharoah at Santa Anita and now has 40 qualifying points for the Derby, which is very likely to get the horse in the starting gate at Churchill Downs.

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