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April 12, 1999, The New York Times
"The nation's leading harness driver and two other top drivers at Freehold Raceway have been suspended for six months and fined $500 each as a result of what officials called unsatisfactory performances last month.
The New Jersey Racing Commission handed down the penalties Saturday against George Brennan, the leading driver in North America, and Jim Morrill Jr. and Howard Parker, due to a lack of effort.
The commission launched an investigation after a March 10 race generated suspicious wagering payoffs, officials said. In that race, Brennan finished last (eighth) on My Dream Come True, the 2-1 second choice. Parker on Bo Knows Matt (7-1) finished seventh, and Morrill was fifth on Neirda No, the 7-2 third choice.
The resulting trifecta paid only $92.50 although the No. 1 horse, World Class Storm, an 8-1 shot, won the race and the No. 3 horse, Letsgo Sparkle, a 29-1 shot, finished third. The favorite, the No. 2 horse, The Shawnster, also 2-1, was second. The 1-2 exacta paid $26.40, although the winner returned $19.
The judges learned that one bettor wagered heavily on the 1-2 exacta and the 1-2-3 trifecta. An investigation revealed that the bettor was Parker's chauffeur, who transported him from Freehold to the Meadowlands daily.
The bettor earned $24,000 for his wagers, but has been unable to collect $6,000 because the judges ordered the parimutuel windows closed when they became suspicious of the payouts. The bettor, who was not identified, has hired an attorney to have the winnings released."
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