Possible Clues:

• As something before its proper time, it's not going off with a bang
• Sprint malfunction
• Sprinter's before-the-gun error
• Sprinter's infraction, and a hint to the starred answers' first words
• Early misstep
• Left as upset about headliner beginning to question
• Failed attempt to produce most counterfeit watercolours, for example
• Running early?
• Not the true origin of race?