From what I understand, that's actually intended to happen. That is not a mere random race, it has a full simulation under the hood! Each horse has two parameters (some kind of base speed and stamina?), and a kind of exhaustion counter, which sometimes makes the horse loose a step. Very sophisticated! I wonder whether that is some kind of DND-standard? The base speed and stamina are compared against the throw of a D20, kind-a ... Toto, can you confirm this?

I also love how effortlessly Toto incorporates the photo finish. It's like a second mini race! He makes it look so easy! :-)