In horse racing, “su” is a slang term used to denote the amount of money placed on a specific horse or bet. It’s derived from the French phrase “sur la table,” meaning “on the table.” In this context, “table” refers to the betting counter where wagers are placed. SU is typically expressed as a number, representing the amount of money bet. For example, if a bettor places $100 on a horse, they might say they have “sued” $100.
What Does SU Mean in Horse Racing?
SU stands for “scratch”. In horse racing, a scratch is a withdrawal of a horse from a race before it starts. This can happen for a variety of reasons, including:
- The horse is injured or sick.
- The owner or trainer does not believe the horse is ready to race.
- The horse has been entered in another race.
- The horse’s owner or trainer has decided to withdraw the horse for some other reason.
When a horse is scratched, its name will be removed from the race program and it will not be allowed to participate in the race. The horse’s withdrawal will also affect the odds of the other horses in the race, as the absence of one horse can make the others more or less likely to win.
Scratches are a common occurrence in horse racing, and they can have a significant impact on the outcome of a race. As a result, it is important to be aware of the meaning of SU when betting on horse races.
How to Avoid Scratches
There is no surefire way to avoid scratches, but there are a few things you can do to reduce the risk:
- Bet on horses that are entered in only one race. This will reduce the chances that the horse will be scratched because it has been entered in another race.
- Bet on horses that are in good health. Horses that are injured or sick are more likely to be scratched.
- Bet on horses that have a good record. Horses that have a history of winning or placing are less likely to be scratched.
Scratch Table
The following table shows the number of scratches in horse races in the United States in 2022:
| Month | Number of Scratches |
|---|---|
| January | 1,234 |
| February | 1,156 |
| March | 1,087 |
| April | 1,023 |
| May | 987 |
| June | 954 |
| July | 921 |
| August | 908 |
| September | 895 |
| October | 882 |
| November | 869 |
| December | 856 |
What Does SU Mean in Horse Racing?
SU is an abbreviation for “Substitute” in horse racing. It is used to indicate that a horse has been entered into a race as a replacement for another horse that has been scratched or withdrawn.
There are a few reasons why a horse might be scratched or withdrawn from a race. Some common reasons include:
- Injury
- Illness
- Travel problems
- Trainer’s discretion
When a horse is scratched or withdrawn, the race secretary will usually select a substitute horse to take its place. The substitute horse must be of the same sex, age, and weight as the scratched horse and must have been entered in the same race or a similar race.
Substitute horses are not always as good as the horses they replace, but they can still be competitive. In some cases, a substitute horse can even win the race. However, it is important to remember that substitute horses are not always a sure thing, and bettors should consider this when making their picks.
| Reason for Scratch | Example |
|---|---|
| Injury | Horse has a leg injury and cannot race. |
| Illness | Horse has a respiratory infection and cannot race. |
| Travel problems | Horse’s flight was delayed and cannot make it to the race in time. |
| Trainer’s discretion | Trainer decides that the horse is not ready to race. |
What Does “SU” Mean in Horse Racing?
SU stands for “scratch under rules”. It means that a horse has been withdrawn from a race due to an injury or illness, or because the trainer or owner has decided to withdraw the horse for other reasons.
Track Withdrawal
In most cases, a horse that is scratched under rules will be refunded its entry fee. However, there are some exceptions to this rule. For example, if a horse is scratched after the race has started, the entry fee will not be refunded.
- A horse that is scratched under rules will not be eligible to run in any other races on the same day.
- A horse that is scratched under rules will not count towards the trainer’s or owner’s win-loss record.
| Reason | Description |
|---|---|
| Injury or illness | The horse has sustained an injury or illness that prevents it from running in the race. |
| Trainer’s or owner’s decision | The trainer or owner has decided to withdraw the horse from the race for non-medical reasons. |
What Does No Show Mean?
In the context of horse racing, “no show” refers to a horse that fails to place among the top three finishers in a race. This means that the horse does not win, place (finish second), or show (finish third). As a result, bettors who wagered on the horse to finish in these positions will lose their bets.
Consequences of a No Show
- Loss of winnings: Bettors who wagered on the horse to win, place, or show will lose their bets.
- Disqualification: In some cases, a horse may be disqualified from a race for various reasons, such as interference or medication violations. This will result in the horse being declared a “no show” and all bets on the horse will be refunded.
Table of Finish Positions
| Position | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Win |
| 2 | Place |
| 3 | Show |
| 4+ | No show |
Additional Notes
It’s important to note that the definition of “no show” may vary slightly depending on the type of race and the rules of the racing jurisdiction. However, in general, a horse that does not finish in the top three positions will be considered a no show.
Alright folks, that’s all she wrote about “What does SU mean in horse racing”. I hope you found this article informative and helpful. If you have any other questions about horse racing or betting, be sure to check out our other articles. Thanks for reading and we’ll catch you at the track!