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Jockey inquiry in Pennsylvania

By Compiled from Times wires

© St. Petersburg Times, published September 8, 2000

Several jockeys working at Penn National Race Course have been questioned by federal authorities in an apparent race-fixing and bribery investigation.

At least six jockeys were summoned to appear Wednesday before a federal grand jury sitting in Harrisburg, Pa., but it was unclear if any actually testified, since the grand jurors recessed after their lunch break. But authorities continued to question the jockeys individually in FBI offices.

Penn National management is aware of the investigation and has been cooperating, said Fred Lipkin, director of publicity for the Grantville racetrack. He said authorities were probing "allegation of improprieties in racing conduct," but declined to elaborate.

Grand jury proceedings, in which prosecutors typically seek indictments, are secret.

David Barasch, the U.S. attorney for Pennsylvania's Middle District, cited that secrecy as he declined to confirm whether an investigation was under way.

In 1984, the track was hit by a race-fixing scandal when seven jockeys were arrested in a sting operation by the state Attorney General's Office. In that case, an undercover agent offered $1,000 to jockeys to fix a race, but no races were actually fixed. Five of the jockeys pleaded guilty and two were convicted of conspiracy. All received probation and fines and were suspended by the state Horse Racing Commission.

MORE HORSE RACING: The Florida Derby, celebrating its 50th anniversary March 10 at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale, will carry a record purse of $1-million, becoming one of the richest thoroughbred races in state history. Only Breeders' Cup events have offered bigger money in Florida. The Derby's new purse represents a $250,000 increase.

AUTO RACING: Rick Carelli passed Kurt Busch with 21 laps to go and held off late challenges by Busch and Greg Biffle to win the Kroger 200 NASCAR Craftsman Truck race in Richmond, Va. The victory was Carelli's fourth in the truck series, but first since he suffered serious head injuries in a crash last year in Memphis, Tenn. "I always knew I could come back after what happened to us last year," he said of the single-truck crash, caused by a cut tire that sent his truck slamming into the wall. Carelli's victory might have come just in the nick of time, too. While celebrating with a few doughnuts in the front stretch, his Ford eventually died on the grass, forcing him to walk to the post-race celebration at the .75-mile Richmond International Raceway. "I don't think I broke it, but I may have," he said. Biffle, the series points leader and defending race champion, finished second to pad his lead.

BASKETBALL: Brad Miller, the 7-foot free-agent center who spent the past two seasons with the Charlotte Hornets, signed a Chicago offer sheet for a three-year, $12-million deal. He averaged 7.7 points and 5.3 rebounds in 17.5 minutes last season. ... The SuperSonics signed 6-foot-10, 270-pound forward Ruben Wolkowyski to a two-year contract. He played professionally in Argentina the past seven seasons and played on the Sonics summer league team in July. He averaged 10.6 points and shot 59 percent from the field and 83 percent from the free-throw line. ... The Atlantic Coast and Southeastern conferences have formed an officiating program to assign referees for regular-season and post-season tournament men's games starting with the 2000-01 season. ACC commissioner John Swofford said the move will provide a larger pool of officials for both leagues. ... Jan Gangelhoff, the woman who reported academic fraud in the University of Minnesota's men's program, might plead guilty to her role in helping students cheat and become a key federal witness, according to KSTP-TV in Minneapolis.

CYCLING: Alessandro Petacchi took the lead in the final sprint and won the 12th stage of the Tour of Spain. Angel Casero held to his lead in the overall standings.

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