HORSE RACING : Bettor Makes $20,000 Profit on Computer Error

A Friday night at Los Alamitos turned into an unexpected bonanza for an unidentified racing fan.

Because of a computer error, the patron collected more than $20,000--after taxes--even though he had only two winners on a Bet-a-Buck ticket for that evening’s races at Hollywood Park.

The Bet a Buck, which was instituted at the start of the Hollywood Park meeting and requires a bettor to pick the first or second-place finisher in nine races, ended after the ninth of 13 races Friday night.

According to Bob DiGiovanni, the mutuel manager at Los Alamitos, the correct payoff of $8,456 for nine winners was transmitted from Hollywood Park to Los Alamitos. A second incorrect transmission followed shortly thereafter, saying two of nine was worth $25,342.

“About two to four minutes after the (ninth race) was official, we got a call from the tote room at Hollywood Park, informing us of the error,” DiGiovanni said. “Our prices were corrected, but at the end of the night, our tote report showed a $25,342 overpayment.

“During those four minutes, (the unidentified fan) put the ticket through and was paid. It’s not uncommon, especially in the Pick Six and Bet a Buck, which only costs $1, for people to buy several tickets and run them through. This one came up good.”

DiGiovanni said American Totalistator, which was responsible for the error, has agreed to reimburse Los Alamitos the money.

“They’ve promised reimbursement this week,” he said. “We’re not out anything.”

Horse Racing Notes

Bien Bien, who was scheduled to make his next start in the $300,000 American Derby at Arlington International Race Course on July 19, might instead remain at Hollywood Park for the $200,000 Swaps Stakes six days later. A 3-year-old son of Manila, Bien Bien has won twice, both times on turf, including a decisive victory in the Cinema Handicap. The American Derby is also on the grass. The Swaps is run at 1 1/4 miles on the dirt. Perhaps the weakness of Sunday’s Silver Screen Handicap, the prep for the Swaps, persuaded trainer Juan Gonzalez to think about keeping Bien Bien at home. “He’s been training very well (on the main track) and we’ll take a long look at the Swaps,” Gonzalez said. . . . Another Gonzalez-trained 3-year-old, the filly Pacific Squall, worked five furlongs in 58 2/5 Monday morning, preparing to face Race The Wild Wind in the $200,000 Hollywood Oaks on Sunday. . . . Bet On The Bay, also trained by Gonzalez, scored a 3/4-length victory over Dr. Augusta in the $32,000 allowance feature race Monday. Bet On The Bay, ridden by David Flores, covered six furlongs in 1:09 2/5 and paid $5.40, $3 and $2.40. Dr. Augusta, ridden by Chris McCarron, finished one length in front of Dodsworth and returned $4.00 and $3.20. . . . Still sore after his Friday night spill, Pat Valenzuela was off his mounts again Monday, but he is expected to be back Wednesday.