California-based trainer Jeff Mullins has received the purse and training expenses owed to him by IEAH for his conditioning of top colt I Want Revenge in 2009.
Mullins had filed a complaint with the California Horse Racing Board in an effort to collect the $31,336 he was owed by New York-based IEAH, which owns I Want Revenge in partnership with David Lanzman. The amount owed Mullins was IEAH’s portion of the trainer’s share of the purse from when I Want Revenge won the April 4, 2009 Wood Memorial (gr. I) and other expenses incurred by the trainer. Lanzman had previously paid his portion of the purses and expenses owed Mullins.
Mullins said he received his money Feb. 2, one day before the CHRB was to conduct a hearing based on the trainer’s complaint.
I Want Revenge, a son of Stephen Got Even, has not raced since the Wood. The colt was the morning line favorite for last year’s Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) but was scratched on the morning of the race due to an injury. A lawsuit between IEAH and Lanzman over the colt is in the process of being settled, with a hearing scheduled for Feb. 12 to determine whether contingencies related to the settlement have been satisfied, according to Mike Meuser, an attorney representing Lanzman.
I Want Revenge is presently at a farm near Goshen, Ky. and will return to the track once the legal issues have been satisfied.
Mullins said it is his understanding that IEAH is in the process of acquiring all of I Want Revenge, who will be sent to trainer Rick Dutrow to be conditioned.