Mullins, IEAH reach settlement

ARCADIA, Calif. - Trainer Jeff Mullins and New York-based IEAH Stables confirmed Wednesday they had reached a financial settlement regarding payment to the trainer for I Want Revenge's victory in the Wood Memorial at Aqueduct last April.

Mullins said the trainer received $31,336 from IEAH on Monday, which covered his share of the purse and other expenses related to the Wood.

Mullins, based in California, had filed a financial complaint against New York-based IEAH Stables with the Santa Anita board of stewards last month. A hearing on the matter scheduled for Wednesday was cancelled after Mullins informed racing board officials that he had been compensated.

"It's all settled," Mullins said.

IEAH, which co-owns I Want Revenge with David Lanzman, could have faced a sanction from Santa Anita stewards if the financial complaint had not been satisfied.

Mullins said he had sought assistance on the matter with officials from the New York State Racing and Wagering Board as far back as August.

In his complaint to the Santa Anita stewards, Mullins contended he was owed $20,625 in purse earnings and the rest in expenses from IEAH. Mullins said that Lanzman had paid his share of the earnings.

I Want Revenge has not started since the Wood Memorial. He was morning-line favorite for the 2009 Kentucky Derby but did not start because of an ankle injury. Michael Iavarone of IEAH said on Wednesday that the group is in the process of buying out Lanzman's share of I Want Revenge and that the colt is nearing a return to racetrack training.

I Want Revenge is in training at a farm in Kentucky and could be transferred to trainer Rick Dutrow in Florida this month. "

"We're hoping to have him there next week," Iavarone said.