A jockey was thrown from his horse and rap fans, waiting for an Ice Cube concert, cowered in restaurant kitchens amid fears of an 'active shooter'
GUNFIRE sparked chaos during a horse racing meeting at California's famous Del Mar track.
A jockey was thrown from his ride and rap fans cowered in restaurant kitchens as cops took down a suspect who opened fire before an Ice Cube concert.
The Del Mar Thoroughbred Club racetrack is within the Del Mar Fairgrounds in southern California, around 20 miles north of San Diego.
The seaside city of Del Mar was a summer playground for Hollywood stars in the 1930s and 40s.
Its horse racing track was built by a partnership including the singer Bing Crosby and the actors Gary Cooper, Pat O'Brien and Oliver Hardy.
Crosby personally welcomed race-goers at the gates when the track opened in 1937.
The following year a big money race between Seabiscuit and Ligarotti - the first to be broadcast on national radio in the US - put the circuit on the map.
Today it has a capacity of 44,000 spectators and also hosts concerts and other events.
The one-mile oval circuit has courses on both sand and turf and is considered one of America's leading horse racing venues.
On September 2, shots were fired as horses crossed the finish line during the final race of a live televised competition.
Shocking footage captured the moment commentators screamed "there's gunfire at the track" and jockey Drayden Van Dyke was flung from his spooked horse.
TV pundits could be heard fleeing as the drama unfolded live on TVG.
Outside, crowds were gathering for an Ice Cube concert that evening.
Pictures on social media showed terrified fans hiding in the Del Mar restaurant kitchens amid fears of an "active shooter" on the rampage.
One race-goer said online: "Was watching final race at Del Mar when shots rang out.
"Was leaving and outside main gate police and fire personnel went into action. Guns drawn.
"Then massive response of law enforcement still continuing."
Cops said they shot a man who fired a pistol in the air outside the racetrack.
It was claimed he was angry when told there were no tickets left for the Ice Cube gig.
Mobile phone footage appeared to show the man waving his gun in the air among a crowd of fans.
Seconds later he is shown on the ground as sheriff's deputies administer first aid.
The suspect was reportedly taken to hospital where his condition was unknown.
There were no other reported injuries.
The Thoroughbred Club said the concert went ahead as planned.
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