Collaboration of giants could seal TVG's fate
By: JEFF NAHILL - Staff Writer | ∞
When the Television Games Network (TVG) broke off negotiations with Churchill Downs Inc., speculation ran rampant in chat rooms and betting lines across America about what the next move would be.
The bombshell came on Monday when Churchill Downs announced it has bought half of Magna Entertainment's Horse Racing Television (HRTV) and would begin broadcasting its meet on April 28.
This truly is a marriage between the Hatfields and the McCoys.
Magna and Churchill Downs Inc., have been the two controlling companies in the industry. Whenever Magna would buy a track like Santa Anita, CDI would purchase a Hollywood Park. Magna bought Gulfstream Park in Florida; CDI grabbed Calder. You get the idea.
For now, the feud is over ---- and it could spell the end of TVG as we know it.
For years now, HRTV and its betting wing, XPressBet, would rule the year from January to April. Then TVG would control the remaining eight months, with the exception of Oak Tree's meet at Santa Anita.
Now HRTV ---- which can be seen along with TVG on Cox Cable's digital sports package ---- will gain quality programming throughout the year, as TVG's exclusive agreements come to an end at such tracks as Churchill Downs, Arlington Park (in August), Fair Grounds Race Course (November) and Calder (April 2008).
"It's a pretty big deal to pick up first-class racing like that when Santa Anita is not going," said Kirk Hoover, one of HRTV's top on-air talents. "This will pick up the quality of programming and make it better for the viewers and bettors. Everyone is very positive and very encouraged that we're going to have a lot more programming to fill all the time.
"I know the biggest winners are the fans and the bettors. They will be able to bet more quality racing and see more of it."
Betting is one of the keys, especially in California, because the new company, TrackNet Media Group LLC, will set up an Advance Deposit Wagering system at www.twinspires.com.
Right now, Californians can only legally bet with TVG, XPressBet and Youbet.
There have been many complaints about all three companies, and the California Horse Racing Board has expressed displeasure with the trio because a bettor can't have just one account and bet all tracks available at simulcast facilities.
It would seem only logical twinspires.com would apply for a license with the CHRB in order to get into a lucrative market.
The next domino to fall could be New York racing, which is seen exclusively on TVG. State legislators have put the franchise up for bid; currently, six suitors are under consideration, including a group with both CDI and Magna. If that company wins the bidding, the only major tracks TVG could hold are Keeneland and Del Mar. And exclusive agreements with those groups will expire in the years to come.
Del Mar and TVG
Del Mar's contract with TVG runs out after the 2008 season. While a new contract in a swiftly changing industry might be good, there is nothing that can be done currently.
"I'd rather not say we're unhappy with it," said Del Mar executive vice president Craig Fravel. "The deal has done very well. If I had it to do over again with hindsight, there are things I would do differently, but we think television has been good for us.
"Of all the tracks in the country, Del Mar has benefitted more from it virtually than any place. We've been happy with it, but when the time comes to take a look at (a new contract), we're going to keep our options open and figure out what our best opportunities are."
Fravel didn't want to discuss any bad dealings with TVG other than to mention "business issues" between the two companies, but he did discuss the positives of the track's association with TVG.
"The good thing is that they have delivered a lot of customers in California and expanded the distribution of our signal," said Fravel. "They have been supportive here at Del Mar of getting on-site programming and live coverage of our racing events. We're very fortunate to have had a lot of support from them on that stuff."
Polytrack update
Fravel said Del Mar's conversion to the synthetic Polytrack "is going great."
Workers are finishing the 7-furlong chute in order to accommodate a pair of horse shows in the arena next to Surfside Race Place. Fravel said the shows use the chute for lunging rings and warm-ups of the thoroughbreds. The Polytrack in that area is expected to be finished by today.
"It will be nice to see some real horses on there," Fravel said.
Completion of the entire track is expected around April 20. At that time, Del Mar will ask a few trainers to bring horses down to gallop on the new surface. No official workouts can be held at Del Mar until a week before the 43-day meet.
"We're not set up as an auxiliary training center," Fravel said. "We don't think it's a good idea to be shipping horses down to do workouts."
Clarification
In an item in the Feb. 24 column, handicapper Bob Ike's blog didn't mention the name of the trainer who lost a $27,000 voucher in a betting machine at Santa Anita. That name was obtained from other sources.
Finishing lines
> Trainer Doug O'Neill is doing his best to keep his top 3 year olds separated. Unfortunately, Southern California fans will suffer. After Great Hunter's win in last Saturday's Bob Lewis at Santa Anita, O'Neill announced the colt's next race would be at Keeneland in Lexington, Ky., because owner J. Paul Reddam wants to keep the horse on synthetic surfaces until the Kentucky Derby. Great Hunter trains on Hollywood Park's Cushion Track. Keeneland has Polytrack. O'Neill's Liquidity will run in today's Louisiana Derby at the Fair Grounds and could come back to California for the Santa Anita Derby. Notional is being pointed for the March 31 Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale, Fla.
> Still no official word from O'Neill on the next start for Santa Anita Handicap winner Lava Man, although a new wrinkle has been added. Despite all indications of a trip to Dubai for the $6 million World Cup, O'Neill checked with Churchill Downs officials about the Woodford Reserve, to be run on the grass on the Derby Day card.
> Jockey Richard Migliore has told anyone who will listen that he will be staying in Southern California through Del Mar. The transplanted New Yorker won the Grade I Kilroe Mile aboard Kip Deville last Saturday at Santa Anita.
> Santa Anita Handicap last-place finisher Awesome Gem, owned by West Point Thoroughbreds, will be given a rest and pointed toward a summer campaign that may include Del Mar's Pacific Classic. Arson Squad, who scratched out of the Big 'Cap due to an abscess, will also receive a break and be pointed toward Del Mar's $1 million race.
> Proud Tower Too, one of the top sprinters on the West Coast, has a tendon tear and will be out a minimum of six months.
The Horse Racing Column runs every other week. Contact staff writer Jeff Nahill at (760) 740-3550 or jnahill@nctimes.com.
Tracks that Horse Racing Television (HRTV) will be adding following its 50 percent acquisition by Churchill Downs Incorporated:
Churchill Downs (April 2007)
Arlington Park (August 2007)
Fair Grounds Race Course (November 2007)
Calder Race Course (April 2008)
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