This seems to be fixed now. VM guest is on VMware Tools 8.6.10 build 913593 running under VMware Workstation 9.0.2. It has the VMware SVGA 3D driver 7.14.1.1211. The host is on nVidia 314.22 (9.18.13.1422). If anyone has this problem, update your stuff. 
I'm not sure if the bug was on the VMware or the nVidia side.