I Want Revenge retired from racing

The star-crossed I Want Revenge, winner of the 2009 Wood Memorial, has been retired from racing, owner Michael Iavarone confirmed Thursday.

I Want Revenge suffered from a throat issue that compromised his breathing and led to him being scratched out of an overnight stakes at the gate at Aqueduct on March 11.

“He retired sound,” Iavarone said. “For whatever reason, he displaced. We could do a throat surgery on him, but we gave he gave him every chance. When he developed that problem, he’s probably telling us something’s not right.”

Iavarone said he had not yet made a deal with any farm to stand I Want Revenge.

I Want Revenge, a son of Stephen Got Even, retired with a record of 3-3-6 from 14 starts and career earnings of $928,000.

He began his career racing for his breeder, David Lanzman, before IEAH bought into the horse following his victory in the Grade 3 Gotham. After overcoming a stumbling start to win the Wood, I Want Revenge went to the Kentucky Derby as the favorite but was scratched the morning of the race due to an ankle injury.

I Want Revenge was the subject of a bitter legal dispute between Iavarone and Lanzman that ended with Iavarone buying Lanzman out of the horse.

I Want Revenge made six starts since returning from that ankle injury, finishing third in the Suburban and Iselin in 2010, second to Hymn Book in an overnight stakes at Belmont in May 2011, and second to Redding Colliery in the Evening Attire in January.