Big Brown Owner IEAH Buys Share Of Derby Contender

RICHARD ROSENBLATT

NEW YORK (AP) — The owners of 2008 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Big Brown have themselves a top contender for the Triple Crown races this year after purchasing a 50 percent interest in I Want Revenge.

IEAH Stables completed the deal Monday with breeder/owner David Lanzman five days before I Want Revenge runs in the $750,000 Wood Memorial at Aqueduct Racetrack — a final prep race before the Kentucky Derby on May 2.

"We're thrilled to have such an enormous talent join our stable," IEAH president Michael Iavarone said in a statement. "He appears to be improving at the right time and I'm looking forward to a great working relationship with the pre-existing connections."

The deal was put together by bloodstock agent Nick Sallusto. The purchase price was not disclosed.

I Want Revenge won the Gotham Stakes by 8½ lengths at Aqueduct last month, and is the likely favorite for the 1 1/8-mile Wood. IEAH now owns two of the top 3-year-olds in I Want Revenge and the filly Stardom Bound, the leading contender for the Kentucky Oaks.