Wager Mage
Photo by SUNBEAM PHOTOGRAPHY Pexels Logo Photo: SUNBEAM PHOTOGRAPHY

What happens if a horse scratches after you bet?

If a horse you have bet on is scratched, you get a full refund in the following instances: Win – Place – Show: The money will be refunded after the race is official if your horse is scratched. Exacta: If any of your horses are scratched, you will receive a refund for the wager.

horseracingsense.com - Why Are Racehorses Scratched? Secrets At The Starting Gates?
What sports do introverts like?
What sports do introverts like?

Solo Sports for Introverted or Shy Kids SOLO SPORTS. Martial arts. This sport is divided into the categories of wrestling, striking, grappling, and...

Read More »
Last updated Apr 15, 2020
Who is the fastest horse in the world 2022?
Who is the fastest horse in the world 2022?

Bulldog Hanover, a horse from Puslinch, Ont., broke a world record for fastest mile at the Meadowlands Racetrack in East Rutherford, New Jersey in...

Read More »
Last updated Aug 31, 2019

Any links on this page that lead to products on Amazon are affiliate links and I earn a commission if you make a purchase. Thanks in advance – I really appreciate it!

At a table to our right, a man had his nose buried in racing forms for hours. Suddenly, he raised his head and exclaimed, “I found a long-shot horse that’s gonna win big.” However, seconds before the race, his horse was scratched. The scratching of his horse made me wonder, why do racehorses get scratched?

Racehorses get scratched from races because of injuries or sickness, changes in track conditions, and even starting positions. Additionally, trainers or owners might scratch a horse because they don’t like the competition or feel their horse may get claimed. When a horse is scratched from any given race, it can be frustrating for both the jockey and the owner. Some of these scratches are understandable, while others may not seem so at first glance. There are many reasons racehorses get scratched from a race. Some are understandable, and others are not so much. This article discusses the many reasons why racehorses get scratched from competition.

Horses get scratched when they’re lame.

A horse that entered a race but was deemed unfit to run must be removed, i.e., scratched from the competition. The most common scratches occur because a horse shows signs of lameness or an unsound condition. The removal of a racehorse from a race is called scratching the horse. The term “scratching a horse” came about because gamblers would take their pens and pencils and strike a mark through the horse’s name.

The track vet can scratch a horse from a race.

Not only can a trainer scratch a racehorse, but also so can a track veterinarian. State or track veterinarians conduct checks of horses to ensure the racehorses are in proper condition to race. If you have ever been to the races, you’ve likely seen them walking around the horses holding a tablet. The tablet holds valuable information on the racehorses. Past scratches and medical conditions are kept in a program accessible from the tablet. If a veterinarian is concerned about a horse, he can pull up the horse’s history. The veterinarian could learn about a horse’s chronic condition. When a recurring problem is indicated, the veterinarian checks that issue to ensure it is fully healed. The track or state racing commission hires racing veterinarians. Their job is to keep a keen eye out for racehorses with signs of injury or illness. For popular races like the Kentucky Derby, track veterinarians examine the entries throughout the week leading up to the day of the race.

Vets watch horses during workouts.

They watch the horses during workouts and go into their stalls and examine the horses. Most of the racehorses running in the Derby are shipped in, and the veterinarians want to ensure they are in proper condition to race. Big money is bet on these racehorses, so the track commissioners want veterinarians to thoroughly examine each horse before race day. The veterinarians assess the horse, watching its demeanor, checking his eyes, and confirming the racehorse with its tattoo. Most race tracks require all horses to be available for a vet check at least three hours before racing. We recently had a horse scratched because we got caught in bad traffic and missed the cut-off time by thirty minutes. We asked for an exception from the racing stewards, but they denied it. After the general assessment, the racehorse’s legs are checked, and the horses are observed while hand jogged. If everything is acceptable, the vets move on to the next horse. If an issue is found, a more in-depth examination takes place.

A horse can be scratched for having heat in its leg.

Is Mobdro still in business?
Is Mobdro still in business?

He opened a third location in Portland after Shark Tank and, despite disruptions due to the Covid-19 pandemic, he kept all three open. As of...

Read More »
Last updated May 2, 2021
Can you go to jail for lying to the FBI?
Can you go to jail for lying to the FBI?

The price you might pay for a single false statement made to the FBI can be steep. This offense is a federal crime and a felony, meaning a...

Read More »
Last updated Jan 21, 2020

Reasons which may call for a more thorough exam are signs of inflammation such as heat, swelling, pain on palpation, and limited mobility. Head bobs and limps are tale-tale signs of lameness. You can learn more about lameness in our article. The post includes videos of horses traveling when lame and provides warning signals. If a racehorse is lame, the veterinarian will scratch the horse. However, they can call in for a second opinion if they aren’t sure. The decision to vet scratch a racehorse entered in the Kentucky Derby would go through a rigorous process. On race day track, veterinarians watch the racehorses walk over to the paddock from the backside barns. They keep the horses under observation the entire time they are on the track.

Track vets watch horses at the starting gates.

They are even present at the starting gates and can declare a horse unfit to start right until the gates open and the race begins. Veterinarians continue their observations after the race noting any post-race lameness. Racehorses that are vet-scratched get entered into the veterinarian’s tablet list. Vet-scratched racehorses will not be eligible to race until it’s proven that their disqualifying condition has been addressed and they are sound to race. Our horse didn’t have to go through this procedure because he wasn’t scratched by the vet; rather, it was a steward’s decision. To prove he is sound commonly requires proof from the racehorse’s private veterinarian, official workouts, and a follow-up exam by the track vet to confirm the horse is sound.

What is a “Late Scratch?”

I had my horse picked and was walking to lay my wager when I heard my chosen horse was a “late scratch.” So, what happened to the horse? I needed to find out about late scratches. Late scratches are the removal of a horse from a race shortly before the race is scheduled to start. The withdrawal can be because of a vet scratch or by the request of the horse’s trainer. If the trainer scratches a horse late, he could face negative repercussions from the racing commission. Each track has scratch rules. Generally, trainers have a specific period in which they can scratch a horse. If a trainer or owner does not notify the commissioner within the designated window to scratch their horse, they are obligated to start their horse. All horse racing tracks have rules governing the procedure to scratch a horse from a race. The following are some standard scratch rules:

Scratches have to be made in writing to the steward;

If the race is an overnight, the steward must approve the horses’ removal from the competition;

Scratch designation is irrevocable;

In stakes races, horses must be scratched 45 minutes before race time;

Sometimes late scratches can’t be avoided. Why might a horse be a late scratch: Runaways: A horse breaks away from the pony jockey and sprints down the track; A horse breaks away from the pony jockey and sprints down the track; Late injury: While being saddled, he kicks a wall in the paddock and sustains an injury, While being saddled, he kicks a wall in the paddock and sustains an injury, Starting gate problems: During the loading into the starting gate, he gets nervous and injures himself; or he won’t load in the gates. During the loading into the starting gate, he gets nervous and injures himself; or he won’t load in the gates. Bad weather: Rain causes turf races to be moved to the dirt track. If a trainer believes his horse is doesn’t run well on dirt, we will likely scratch his horse. Some horses don’t run well in the mud and are scratched late. Rain causes turf races to be moved to the dirt track. If a trainer believes his horse is doesn’t run well on dirt, we will likely scratch his horse. Some horses don’t run well in the mud and are scratched late. Starting position: Horses with an outside position are at a disadvantage on tracks with a short distance to the first turn. A trainer may decide not to run their horse from this spot at the last minute.

What is a Ford Prefect?
What is a Ford Prefect?

The Ford Prefect is a line of British cars which was produced by Ford UK between 1938 and 1961 as an upmarket version of the Ford Popular and Ford...

Read More »
Last updated May 16, 2019
What are the 7 of reading skills?
What are the 7 of reading skills?

The seven strategies of highly skilled readers include activating, summarizing, monitoring and clarifying, visualizing and organizing, searching...

Read More »
Last updated Nov 10, 2018

Scratching a horse for one of the above reasons is in the best interest of the horse and the betting public. Try to imagine; you place a large bet on a horse. Would you want to have your money on a horse that broke away from the pony horse and was chased for a mile around the track? Your horse would be in no shape to race, and everyone who bet the horse just wastes their money. Sometimes trainers “late scratch” a horse for reasons not approved by the racing commission. For example, a trainer enters a horse into a claiming race to “steal a purse.” You can read about claiming races here. To “steal a purse” occurs when an owner or trainer hopes to sneak a fast horse into a claiming race with inferior horses to win some easy money. But, in this instance, the trainer hears a rumor shortly before the race that someone trainer intends to put a claim on the horse. The risk of losing his horse causes him to “late scratch” his horse.

What Happens to Your Bet if the Horse is Scratched?

In most instances, your bet is refunded if the horse is scratched. This means that your original bet is returned to you, and you do not receive any winnings. However, each horse racing jurisdiction has its own rules. This section provides the general rules most commonly followed. Check with the authority for particular regulations at your track. If a horse you bet on is scratched, you get a full refund in the following instances: Win – Place – Show: The money will be refunded after the race is official if your horse is scratched. Exacta: If any of your horses are scratched, you will receive a refund for the wager. Trifecta: If any of your horses are scratched, you receive a refund for the wager. Superfecta: If your selected horses are scratched, you will receive a refund for the wager. Super Hi-5: If your selected horses are scratched, you will receive a refund for the wager. If you bet on a horse in one of the following more complicated races, then these rules apply: Daily Double : If you select the winner of the first leg and the selected horse in the second leg is scratched, you will receive a double consolation payout. : If you select the winner of the first leg and the selected horse in the second leg is scratched, you will receive a double consolation payout. Pick 3: At most tracks, a horse is scratched BEFORE the first leg is run, and you receive a refund. If your wager is still live going into the second or third leg and your horse is scratched, you most likely receive a consolation payoff. However, some tracks give you the favorite for your scratched horse.

Below is a YouTube video about horse racing you may find interesting.

Related Articles:

horseracingsense.com - Why Are Racehorses Scratched? Secrets At The Starting Gates?
What is the best bet for 5 horses?
What is the best bet for 5 horses?

A horse bet comprising of five selections is one of these: Super Yankee. Lucky 31. Canadian. Super Flag. 5-Fold Accumulator.

Read More »
Last updated Mar 4, 2018
What does Multigoals 2 3 mean?
What does Multigoals 2 3 mean?

You can choose a multi-goal 2-3 match for betting according to the criteria below: When both teams score an average of 0.8 – 1.5 goals in a game....

Read More »
Last updated Apr 27, 2019
What are low riders called?
What are low riders called?

A lowrider or low rider is a customized car with a lowered body. These customized vehicles are generally individually painted with intricate,...

Read More »
Last updated Jun 6, 2018
What is the best multiple bet?
What is the best multiple bet?

Lucky 15: This kind of bet is the biggest and most complicated kind of multiple bet that is commonly available. It is very similar to a Yankee, but...

Read More »
Last updated Oct 6, 2022