Scratch always adjusts the odds so that the sum of the probabilities of each horse winning the race is equal to 1. At times, because of the track and state takeout, you may have entered odds with probabilities that sum to a value greater than 1. Scratch shows you this original probability sum for reference. While useful at times, a sum of probabilities with value other than 1 violates the laws of probability.

Since the payoffs would be higher if there were no takeout, Scratch also shows you the odds increased by 10% and 20%, to help you assess when the actual odds may be “overlays.”

For instructions on running the Scratch utility, click on “Help.”