More on Scratch Race from Infoplease:

• Scratch Race - Scratch Race (A). A race of horses, men, boys, etc., without restrictions as to age, weight, ...
• Skurry - Skurry (A). A scratch race, or race without restrictions. Hurry-skurry. A confused bustle through ...
• Dictionary of Phrase and Fable: S - Definitions, origins, and illustrative excerpts for words, phases, and literary allusions starting with "S"