The starting gate.
4th
The horses are called from the paddock to the starting gate
Do you mean the starting gate? It is like a loading stall. The groom leads the horse in, with the jockey mounted, then the groom closes the gate. There the horse waits for the starting gate to swing open. Things trainers hate are when a horse leans on the back or front gate. This can set the jockey of balance.
My horse sprained her ankle, coming out of the gate.
There is Golden Gate Fields, which is a horse racing track, but that is in Oakland, which is not far from San Francisco.
The horse race starting gate (first used in Canada)
If you are talking about standardbred racing, yes. If a thoroughbred is scratched his slot in the starting gate will remain empty.
the boss
The "call to post" is a traditional signal used in horse racing to indicate that the horses should be taken to the starting gate. Originating in the 19th century, it serves to alert jockeys, trainers, and spectators that the race is about to begin. The phrase is often accompanied by a bugle call, creating a ceremonial atmosphere and helping to build excitement for the event. This practice reinforces the formal structure of horse racing as a competitive sport.
They are called assistant starters.
From the get-go or when both burst out of the starting gate, absolutely!!