Deal made for TrackNet to offer Hollywood

Hollywood Park has reached an agreement with the TrackNet and Television Games Network account-wagering services to allow both companies to provide betting on the track's upcoming fall meeting, which runs from Nov. 7 through Dec. 22. The deal is contingent upon approval by the Thoroughbred Owners of California, the state's official representative of owners.

The deal was announced at Thursday's meeting of the California Horse Racing Board after officials from Hollywood Park, TrackNet and TVG met until late Wednesday night, officials said. It was announced as part of Hollywood Park's application to conduct a race meeting.

In past seasons, betting on Hollywood Park has been offered exclusively on TVG. Under the latest agreement, TVG would retain exclusive broadcast rights, but would permit other account-wagering services to accept bets on Hollywood Park.

Drew Couto, president of the owners' group, said his organization had yet to see the terms and declined to answer whether it would be approved.

"The concept has us elated," he said. "We need to see that it is fair to horsemen. We've been submitted a financial projection we need to analyze."

TVG's senior vice-president, David Nathanson, described it as "step in the right direction" for content sharing among account-wagering services.