TVG agrees to offset losses

DEL MAR, Calif. - The Thoroughbred Owners of California and TVG announced on Saturday that they have reached an agreement in principle for TVG to offset any potential purse losses caused by telephone betting, which may be implemented in the state next year.

A telephone betting bill has passed the legislature and is awaiting action by Gov. Gray Davis.

Saturday's agreement came after a week of discussions and meetings among TVG president Mark Wilson; John Van de Kamp, the president of the TOC; and Marty Wygod, a prominent owner and breeder. The agreement was announced during a backstretch meeting with horsemen that was attended by approximately 100 owners, trainers, jockeys, and other observers.

Last week, horsemen expressed concern that the convenience of telephone betting would keep bettors from coming to the track and result in less betting revenue, which would result in lower purses.

"If there is any negative impact from TVG, we will work with you to see that you're protected," Wilson said. "But I can't protect you from external factors such as 100,000 slot machines in the state or a slowdown in the economy."

The agreement was met with applause, though some horsemen inquired about the division of revenue between the tracks, horsemen, and TVG. Van de Kamp said revenue generated from telephone betting will be split in a similar way as revenue derived from satellite betting throughout the state.

TVG has contracts with Del Mar, Hollywood Park, and Los Alamitos to televise races and serve as a hub for telephone betting. It is unclear who will serve in that capacity for Santa Anita.

Santa Anita president Jack Liebau, who attended Saturday's meeting but did not speak, said no decision has been made on who will provide the signal and take telephone bets when the Santa Anita winter-spring meeting begins in January.

"We're looking at a number of options," he said.

Gov. Davis was scheduled to return from vacation on Sunday night and is expected to address the telephone betting legislation this week. Last year, he vetoed similar legislation.

Four-bagger for Valdivia

Jockey Jose Valdivia Jr. had the best day of his career on Friday, winning four races from seven mounts.

The four winners vaulted Valdivia into a three-way tie for second in the jockey standings with 11 winners. Along with Laffit Pincay Jr. and Tyler Baze, Valdivia trails Alex Solis by four winners.

On Friday, Valdivia won the first race aboard Chaster ($24), the second on Cabreo ($4), the fourth on Lasting Tribute ($16.80), and the eighth on Go Calif. Go ($11.20).

His win aboard Lasting Tribute, a maiden facing winners in a $50,000 claimer for 3-year-olds on turf, drew the praise of trainer Scott Hansen. Last of nine entering the stretch on Lasting Tribute, Valdivia patiently stayed on the rail to midstretch before angling his mount to the outside and finding a clear path. Lasting Tribute won by a half-length over Ninebanks.

"It was an amazing ride," Hansen said. "I told him, 'You rode this sucker like you knew you were loaded.'"

Garcia leaves town

Jockey Julio Garcia has left the Southern California circuit, according to his agent, Bill Barisoff. According to Barisoff, Garcia left California on Friday, presumably for Florida. Garcia was winless in 12 mounts at this meeting.

"He told his brother to pack his stuff," Barisoff said. "He'll probably turn up in Florida."

Three other jockeys did not ride on Friday. Eddie Delahoussaye complained of lingering soreness from a spill last week; Victor Espinoza took off due to soreness from a spill on Wednesday; and Corey Nakatani cited a migraine headache.

Return of El Corredor

El Corredor, the winner of the Cigar Mile last November, will make his 2001 debut in the $150,000 Pat O'Brien Handicap next Sunday. A 4-year-old, El Corredor won the Del Mar Breeders' Cup Handicap over a mile here last year. In the seven-furlong Pat O'Brien, El Corredor is likely to face Ceeband, Figlio Mio, Lexicon, and Swept Overboard.

Dr. Park, who won a division of the Oceanside Stakes on July 18, heads Saturday's $150,000 La Jolla Handicap for 3-year-olds over 1 1/16 miles on turf. The other probables are Bayou the Moon, Marine, Romanceishope, and Sea to See.

* Morning training on Saturday was marred by the fatal breakdown of Venasis, an unraced 2-year-old filly trained by Bob Hess Jr. The injury, which Hess said was to her cannon bone, occurred in early stretch near a gathering of fans watching morning workouts.

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