Four Playfair Jockeys, Trainer Suspended

SPOKANE - A man in jail on a murder charge was the apparent ringleader in a race-fixing scandal at Playfair Race Course, a state racing investigation indicated.

The Washington Horse Racing Commission on Tuesday suspended the licenses of four jockeys, an agent and the jailed trainer. The investigation focused on five November races.

Trainer Dale Norwick was the focus of an investigation into manipulation of five trifecta races at the Spokane track, according to documents released by the commission. Norwick is in Benton County jail awaiting trial on unrelated felony charges, including murder. He is scheduled for trial in September, accused of pushing his brother-in-law off a cliff in 1982. The death was originally ruled accidental.

Norwick's attorney, Robert Thompson, previously said Norwick denies the race-fixing accusations.

The racing commission's action is independent of possible criminal charges by the Spokane County prosecutor's office. Scott Bergsrud, the track's leading rider the past two years, was among those whose licenses were suspended.

The jockeys are accused of holding back mounts to affect the outcome of races..

Jockeys Darren Parker, Tim Masters and Jeff Jones, and agent Leroy Nelson also had their licenses suspended.

A summary of the investigation states that in March, Jones told investigators he had been paid $1,100 by Norwick to finish no higher than fourth in certain races on three dates in November.

Jones "agreed to, or did take money, in order to improperly influence the result of a race or races," the commission said.

Nelson denied any participation. "This is tearing me up," he said.