Gambling ring trial date set

The trial involving 16 people indicted in an illegal gambling ring back in December is set to begin on Feb. 6, 2006, in Manhattan Federal Court.

Judge Miriam Goldman Cederbaum set the trial date during a status conference held in her New York City courtroom on Thursday. All 16 of the charged parties were present. A 17th person indicted, Marvin Meyerowitz, died May 8.

Among the defendants was trainer Greg Martin, indicted on charges of fraud and conspiracy in connection with alleged use of alkalizing agents on a winning horse at Aqueduct in December 2003.

Martin was charged along with former harness driver Rene Poulin and Gerald Uvari, a former Thoroughbred owner and said to be head of the gambling ring, which is alleged to have handled more than $200 million in wagers on horse racing and other sports over a five-year period.