In horse racing, if a horse scheduled to compete is scratched, the handling of wagers depends on the rules of the host track's jurisdiction. Generally, wagers on scratched horses are refunded, or the scratched horse is replaced with the current favorite. For single race wagers like WIN/PLACE/SHOW and others, refunds are issued for scratched horses. In multi-race wagers like PICK 4/PICK 5, the post time favorite may replace the scratched horse if the wager is still live. Rules for Doubles and PICK 3 vary by track, with some jurisdictions offering refunds or post time favorites, while others provide consolation payouts. Canadian races delay betting on affected wagers until after scratches are announced. These rules are subject to change based on track decisions.
What happens to my wager when a horse has been scratched that is part of my wager?
Sometimes in horse racing, a horse scheduled to compete in a race will be scratched (removed) from the race before it begins. We follow the rules in the jurisdiction where the host track is located. We will provide refunds or assign other horses in accordance with the member track's policies for handling scratches. If you have already placed a wager that includes that horse, your ticket will be changed based on the rules at that track concerning scratches. Your ticket will usually either be cancelled or the scratched horse will be replaced with the current favorite for that race. The decision of the host track is final. In many jurisdictions the following rules apply:
Please know that ultimately it is at the track’s discretion whether a certain wager will be refunded or if a scratch earns a post time favorite or consolation payout. See below to see general rules for scratches involving different types of wagers.
If your wager was an advanced wager, you can cancel your wager prior to post for the race or first race of multi race wager, or you will be automatically be refunded when the race goes official.
Horses that are declared non starters run for purse money only and are generally considered to be a scratch.
Single Race Wagers:
Omni / Swinger: If one or more of your horses are scratched, you will receive a refund for your wager(s) involving the scratched horse(s).
WIN/PLACE/SHOW: All wagers on scratched horses are refunded
EXACTA/QUINELLA/TRIFECTA/SUPERFECTA/SUPER HI-5: If one or more of your horses are scratched, you will receive a refund for your wager(s) involving the scratched horse(s).
PICK 4/PICK 5/PICK 6/PICK 7/PICK 8/Grand Slam: If your horse is scratched in ANY LEG, you will receive the post time favorite, providing your wager is live going into the leg from which your horse is scratched.
- If you have the post time favorite included in your wager and have more than one horse included in that leg (and one or more of your horses are scratched), you will receive the post time favorite for each horse that is scratched.
- In other words – you may have placed the wager only once using the post time favorite, but if any number of your other horses in that leg are scratched, you will receive the post time favorite for EACH horse scratched.
**The rules for Doubles and Pick 3 VARY FROM TRACK TO TRACK**
MAJOR CIRCUITS including NY, FL, KY, CA, LA, NJ (and others)
Doubles and PICK 3: If your horse is scratched BEFORE the first leg is run, you will receive a refund. If your wager is still live going into the second or third leg and your horse is scratched, you will receive a consolation payoff providing your wager wins the other two legs. YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE THE POST TIME FAVORITE.
If there is a surface change AFTER the start of a Pick 3 in the state of Ky, runners are treated differently. If your horse is an early scratch, those horses will receive a refund. If your horse is a late scratch, it will be counted the same as a runner for a consolation payout. For more information please see KRS 230 et seq. and KAR 810 et seq.
OTHER JURISDICTIONS including PA, AR, NM, TX, IL, MN, MI, MD, Canada, Australia, Japan, SAF, Dubai and others
Doubles and PICK 3: If your horse is scratched in ANY LEG, you will receive the post time favorite, providing your wager is live going into the leg from which your horse is scratched. If you already have the post time favorite included in your wager and have more than one horse included in that leg (and one or more of your horses are scratched), you will receive the post time favorite for each horse that is scratched.
CANADIAN RACES:
- For races that would have a Scratch in them that reverts to a post time favorite (see above for those types of wagers!) they do not open these wagers up for betting until 1 hour before the card starts after the scratches are released.
**Please know that these rules may change as they are based on the tracks’ decision**