Jockey arrested in Del Mar paddock

Jockey Matt Garcia was arrested in the paddock before the first race at Del Mar on Friday by San Diego County sheriff's deputies. The incident played out before a baffled crowd of onlookers who were watching the horses being prepared for the first race.

Garcia, 38, was wanted by the police in Monrovia, Calif., a suburban town near Santa Anita, on a charge of criminal threat, according to Monrovia police officials. Garcia remained in custody as of Saturday morning, according to a spokesman for the Monrovia police department, who offered no further information on the arrest or the charges.

The arrest occurred as Garcia was preparing to ride Jacob's Mark in the first race. According to Del Mar's president, Joe Harper, authorities intended to apprehend Garcia after the race, but took action quicker after the jockey made eye contact with the officers. Harper said authorities feared that Garcia would try to flee the scene.