Horse doping facet of probe into gambling ring limited to Ne

Investigators said they discovered evidence against trainer Greg Martin, who was arrested on charges of horse doping, conspiracy, and wire fraud, through wiretaps of other suspects, including David Applebaum. Investigators say the charges against Martin center around a victory by A One Rocket in the first race at Aqueduct on December 18, 2003. Applebaum, who was charged in the horse-doping conspiracy and faces 43 other counts, allegedly placed a large wager on the race and won thousands of dollars when A One Rocket won by ten lengths, the New York Times reports. Investigators say Martin and harness driver Rene Poulin, of Secauscus, New York, gave A One Rocket a milkshake before the race in question, the New York Times reports. Both are charged with horse doping. Investigators said Martin, son of Racing Hall of Fame trainer Frank "Pancho" Martin, administered milkshakes on more than one occasion. Milkshakes typically are illegal baking soda solutions that are believed to counteract the effects of lactic acid, which causes fatigue, in horses. Doug Burns, Martin’s attorney, told the newspaper he had just begun his review of the indictment and would not comment on the case The investigation was conducted by the Joint Organized Crime Task Force of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New York Police Department in cooperation with the Thoroughbred Racing and Protective Bureau, the investigative arm of the Thoroughbred Racing Associations; the National Indian Gaming Commission; and agencies of the Indian Gaming Working Group, according to the New Jersey Star-Ledger.