Past Due

In the "Your Word vs. My Word" department, comes news from Jeff Mullins, trainer of I Want Revenge (who was scratched the morning of the Kentucky Derby from the race) that IEAH Stables owes him $40,000 in fees related to the care, training and riding of the colt. In case you need a refresher course, this is the same IEAH, under the leadership of Michael Iavarone, that campaigned Big Brown (including the steroids and Belmont fiasco).

Mullins sent a letter to New York State Racing and Wagering Board general counsel, Robert Feuerstein, stating that IEAH has failed to pay its bills. "I urge the New YOrk State Racing and Wagering Board and NYRA to immediately put a freeze on (IEAH's) horseman's account in an effort to assure that all of their past due financial responsibilities are met before they are paid any purse monies," Mullins wrote, according to a report in Bloodhorse.

This latest financial scandal joins the lawsuit filed by co-owner David Lanzman against IEAH, alleging the syndication violated its contract by subsequently selling more than 10% of its share of the colt without notifying Lanzman. IEAH countered with the assertion that Lanzman failed to disclose injuries to the colt that forced his removal from the Derby.

Tit for tat, perhaps, but to me it sounds like a lot of ill feelings are floating around with regard to the way that IEAH does business. None of which surprises me. These are people who treat thoroughbreds as commodities, not horses.

I hope Mullins gets his money but I also don't think that the NYRA is going to suspend IEAH's account simply because they have too many other horses in training that would be affected. I would also wager that there are a lot of unpaid bills floating around the thoroughbred world these days and that Mullins may simply have to wait his turn.

None of which makes the practice of "stiffing" your trainer, rider and vets for services rendered pertaining to the care of your horse "right" but unfortunately it happens more often than you think. Bravo to Mullins for bringing it out in the open--let's hope it gets him paid.