scratch race

English

Noun

scratch race (plural scratch races)

1. (cycling) Any race where the winner is the first to cross the finish line.

   Antonym: points race

2. A boat race between extemporized crews rather than established rowing teams.
   • 1889, Walter Bradford Woodgate, Boating, page 318:

     A scratch race, however, was improvised on Commemoration afternoon, between the boats, apparently manned by mixed crews of all colleges.

3. (horse racing) A catchweight horse race.