[clevfan]

Jockey and trainer suspended, accused of "race fixing"

(Muskegon, October 7, 2005, 3:53 p.m.) A jockey and trainer at Great Lakes Downs in Muskegon are in trouble with the state.

State racing officials have put Roberto Perez on indefinite suspension for betting on a horse other than the one he jockeyed.

State racing officials say Perez walked away with $5,000 following the fourth race on Tuesday.

It is not against the rules for jockeys to bet on a horse, but it has to be the horse that they are riding.

When racing officials found out Perez had allegedly violated that rule, they launched an investigation.

That investigation determined Perez bet on a number of horses and a number of combinations to place. That helped him take the super-trifecta, which requires the better to get the first four finishers in a row.

Racing officials tell 24 Hour News 8 that they are not done with their investigation.

While the state is holding one other ticket on the super trifecta that night, pending the investigation, officials say it does not appear the person that placed that bet was involved with Perez.

Meantime, a trainer that cashed the winning wager for Perez is also suspended.