Two more arrests in CA case

Following the bribery sentencing of a former cohort, two more Cal Expo drivers--Todd Ratchford and Jason Maier--were arrested between races Jan. 18 in connection with an alleged conspiracy to fix a May 5, 2006, race at the Sacramento harness track.

Ratchford, 42, and Maier, 24, posted bail the following morning and were released. Arraignment was scheduled for Jan. 26 in Sacramento Superior Court.

Canadian-born Ratchford, fourth in the current driver standings, faces felony counts of conspiracy, grand theft and accepting a bribe to not use his best effort in a horse race. Maier, a provisional driver who won the race in question and owned the winner Green Fields, was charged with grand theft and conspiracy.

Both were scheduled for arraignment Friday, Jan. 26.

In all, four drivers were arrested in the case as track and state officials culminated a eight-month investigation.The others were Daniel Maier and Ray Burt.

Daniel Maier, Jason's 22-year-old brother, was arrested Jan. 12 at New York¹s Monticello Raceway and will be extradited to California for prosecution on conspiracy, bribery and grand theft charges.

Driver-trainer Raymond Burt pleaded guilty Dec. 19 for accepting a bribe to not use his best effort in a horse race and was sentenced Jan. 16 to three years probation in exchange for his cooperation. Burt, who also served six days in county jail, agreed to testify against his former cohorts. (By Debbie Arrington)

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