You're not quoting the OP. It's not really "like [you] said."
Runners who have finished a race are not taken out of the race.
If you don't see that, try this one....
Go back a few years and bet $1,000,000 on Secretariat in the 4th race.
[He was a great race horse, if you're young.]
He wins the 4th, of course - he places 1st - by seven lengths.
After the race, you go to the window to collect your $2,500,000 prize.
But they tell you: No Way! Secretariat didn't win the 4th race. How could he have won?
He isn't even in the 4th race!
Sorry, Charlie. Yah, that makes sense.
4th place is a difficult solution to find, but not because the solvers have not been logical.
Just to give it one more shot: if #1 and #2 weren't in the race, then how did "#3" not win?
And if they were in the race, how did Billy not pass them?
Not to call you out on this ... your other puzzles have been pretty good.
But in this case, believe it: Vox Populi Vox Dei.