[Tim Y]

Grade one scratches , or a scratch from ANY race where a participant had to PAY to get in, allows the entrants to scratch right up until a short while before post time. One often see horses, for example, entered into let's say a Keeneland and an Aqueduct stake race on the same day. The belief here, to my understanding, is that the connections entered both and then once the field takes shape, will opt for the race where their chances are better. By scratching, they then forfeit all entrance fees.

Unlike regular races, where the only real reason has to be a vet scratch, or increasingly common are "conditional entries" where the racing secretary will allow the late scratch of a fit horse so as to run in another race that needs more entrants. The latter are really frustrating to the bettor and really should not be allowed.