Multiple horses have already scratched from the 2026 Kentucky Derby.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Pastel-adorned Kentucky Derby-goers and people watching the race from the comfort of their couch alike will be betting on their favorite horse to win the big race on Saturday. But what happens when your horse scratches before the race starts?
As of Friday morning, three horses have scratched from the 2026 Kentucky Derby: Silent Tactic, Fulleffort and Right To Party.
This isn’t unusual. Many horses get injured or get pulled out the week of Derby as they practice on the track. But fans have been able to place bets on the horse race all week. So what happens if that horse scratches?
Many betting apps, including TwinSpires, say it is ultimately at the track’s discretion whether or not a scratch will be refunded.
Churchill Downs, the horse track home to the Kentucky Derby, has the following policy when it comes to betting on scratched horses:
“If scratch(s) occur prior to “official” of the 1st leg: all bets containing such scratch(s) will refund.”
One of the most common types of bets in horseracing is a “straight bet,” where your bet pays off if your horse wins, places or shows. If your horse scratches in this case, you would be refunded.
There are a few exotic bets that are popular when wagering on the Kentucky Derby:
- Exacta: Pick the first two horses in the correct order
- Quinella: Pick the first two finishers, no exact order necessary
- Trifecta: Pick the first three horses in the correct order
- Superfecta: Pick the first four horses in the correct order
- Super High Five: Pick the first five horses in the correct order
If any of the horses in your exotic bet scratch, your entire wager will be refunded, according to Churchill Downs.