Nelson Denies Playing Role In Playfair Race-Fixing Scheme Hearing Expected To Conclude Today As Jockey Agent Fights For License

Jockey agent LeRoy Nelson was not part of a race-fixing scheme at Playfair Race Course, Nelson’s attorney contended Wednesday.

Spokane lawyer Pat Stiley spent Day 3 of an administrative hearing poking at the state’s contention that Nelson was among six who participated in the manipulation of races in November, 1993.

Attorneys for the Washington Horse Racing Commission attempted to demonstrate before administrative law judge David G. Hansen how Nelson observed a betting pattern that ruled out horses ridden by jockeys Scott Bergsrud, Tim Masters, Darren Parker and Jeff Jones.

The four jockeys have had their licenses revoked for allegedly agreeing to keep their horses out of the top three in certain trifecta races at the Spokane track in ‘93.

Washington State Patrol investigators say the plot was financed by former thoroughbred trainer Dale Norwick of Pasco, who is in jail awaiting sentencing for a conviction of two counts of conspiracy to murder.

That case is unrelated to the race fix.

Racing commission mutuels inspector Mike McLaughlin outlined how Norwick cashed in at Playfair after apparently buying off jockeys who agreed to restrain their mounts, allowing Norwick to exclude them from his wagers.

To win a trifecta bet a horse player must pick the top three finishes in order.

Records show that Norwick - between Nov. 5 and Nov. 15, 1993 - placed 310 bets at Playfair totaling $14,134. He won $53,724 for a net profit in five days at the track of $39,590, McLaughlin testified.

“If LeRoy was in on it like Norwick was in on it why didn’t he bet like Norwick?” Stiley said.

Stiley pointed to parimutuel wagering records that show that Nelson put money on horses ridden by Masters and the other three when the fix was apparently in place.

“If you add up all the times that Nelson put $24 and $60 on horses ridden by jockeys that were apparently promising to be out of the top four, how much money did he waste?” Stiley said.

Nelson is the only one among the originally charged six who is appealing his June 27 emergency suspension.

Nelson, who obtained a court order allowing him to work at Playfair last season, said he hopes that this hearing at the state attorney general’s office will eventually lead to his continued employment at race tracks in the state.

Attorneys say they expect to conclude today. Hansen will review testimony and forward his recommendation to the commission - whether Nelson will receive a license.

The decision rests with the racing commission, which issued the original order of suspension and can choose to disregard Hansen’s recommendation.

Nelson said that not only did he not participate in the alleged fix, he confronted Bergsrud - his client - about what he thought were suspect races.

Nelson said he asked Bergsrud what was going on. The rider said he knew nothing about it, Nelson testified.

Bergsrud told the hearing Tuesday that he was asked by Nelson if he was interested in making some extra money by restraining his horses. Nelson testified Wednesday that the conversation never took place.