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Home › Guides › Racing Terms

What does “scr” mean in horse racing?

Mike BrunkerMB
Horse Betting Expert · former Las Vegas Review-Journal racing writer
Updated November 2026 · 2 min read   𝕏inRJ
Horse racing journalist and handicapper who covered the Kentucky Derby, Preakness, Belmont and Breeders’ Cup for the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
HORSE BETTING GUIDE · RACING TERMS
Reviewed by the Horse.bet Team
Scr” meanHORSE RACING EXPLAINEDIN SHORT“Scr” is an abbreviation for scratch, whichindicates that a horse who has been entered in arace has been withdrawn.GOOD TO KNOWThere are three main types of scratches – early scratches that occurbefore race day, race day scratches that typically occur in themorning, and late scratches, which can occur even after the horseshave been loaded into the starting gate.horse.bet — betting guides
What does “scr” mean in horse racing? — explained: “Scr” is an abbreviation for scratch, which indicates that a horse who has been entered in a race has been withdrawn.

“Scr” is an abbreviation for scratch, which indicates that a horse who has been entered in a race has been withdrawn. There are three main types of scratches – early scratches that occur before race day, race day scratches that typically occur in the morning, and late scratches, which can occur even after the horses have been loaded into the starting gate.

A horse can be scratched for multiple reasons: It may have begun to cough on the morning of the race or suffered a setback in training. Or a trainer or owner might decide the competition is too tough and scratch in order to find an easier spot to run (though racing secretaries discourage the practice. On rare occasions, a horse can be scratched if it is determined that it does not qualify under the conditions of a race.

In addition to owners and trainers, track veterinarians and stewards have the authority to scratch a horse.

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