Sports briefs for January 14, 2005

Friday, Jan. 14, 2005 | 10:01 a.m.

Mob associates charged in gambling crackdown

A plot to fix a horse race by doping one of the animals was among crimes alleged in a crackdown on sports gambling that has resulted in charges against 17 defendants, including three reputed mobsters, authorities in New York said Thursday.

The horse -- A One Rocket -- won the Dec. 18, 2003, race at Aqueduct Raceway in a scheme that included the cooperation of a racehorse trainer and a harness driver, according to federal prosecutors.

Both men were among those charged. Another man arrested in the scheme had placed bets on the fixed race and encouraged others to do so, the government said. More arrests were possible, officials said.

The horse race was part of an indictment that portrayed a sprawling gambling operation that processed more than $200 million in bets over four years. Three reputed Gambino organized crime family members were charged.

The defendants were accused of taking bets on horse racing and other sporting events as law enforcement authorities capped a two-year probe into the gambling operation in New York, Florida, California and Nevada.

Charges included gambling conspiracy, money laundering, horse-doping conspiracy, loan sharking and wire fraud. If convicted, nine of the defendants could face life in prison while the others could face 10 to 20 years in prison.

The indictment also seeks the forfeiture of at least $200 million, including homes in several states.

His latest suspension lifted, jockey Patrick Valenzuela will race fo the first time in six months Saturday at Santa Anita. He received six mounts on the nine-race card including Mass Media for trainer Bobby Frankel in the San Fernando Stakes.

Agassi still in doubt

Andre Agassi's quest for a fourth Australian Open championship remained in doubt a day after withdrawing from the Kooyong Classic exhibition tournament in Sydney because of a hip injury.

Ivo Minar and Lleyton Hewitt reached the final of the Medibank International in Sydney today. Hewitt, the No. 1 seed, defeated Max Mirnyi 6-7 (4), 6-3, 6-2 and Minor beat Radek Stepanek 6-1, 6-2.

Unseeded Zheng Jie upset No. 2 seed Gisela Dulko 6-2, 6-0 to win the Moorilla International today at Hobart, Australia.

Pippen sues lawyers

Former Chicago Bulls all-star Scottie Pippen has sued a Chicago law firm claiming he was wrongly persuaded to use a financial adviser who lost millions of dollars of Pippen's money through questionable investments. The suit does not seek specific damages, but Pippen's attorney said "$20 million would not be overstating the problem."

Kim headed to jail

A South Korean court today upheld the two-year prison term facing former IOC vice president Kim Un-yong for embezzlement and bribery. Out on parole since October because of health problems, Kim, 73, has exhausted his appeals and was expected to return to prison.

Tuberville honored

Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville won the Paul "Bear" Bryant coach of the year award presented by the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association.

Tiger chips in

The Tiger Woods Foundation announced it would give $100,000 to tsunami relief efforts in Asia, and the PGA tour will match that amount.