Big Brown's Owner Threatened before Belmont? [Archive]

Anne FS

Oct. 25, 2008, 02:52 PM

Anyone see the interview with, who was that? Rick Dutrow or someone else? who said that the day of the Belmont the police came to him and said there were credible threats that if ANYTHING happened to BB in that race, he & his family would be killed.

It was a rotten interview, with poor sound. So was he saying that's one of the reasons BB was pulled up?

grayarabpony

Oct. 25, 2008, 02:54 PM

What a crock of ****. I just saw the interview on TV.

Anne FS

Oct. 25, 2008, 02:58 PM

I keep hopping to the internet to see the story posted, but it's not up on Sports Illustrated or the ABC or Breeders Cup sites yet. Very weird story.

Glimmerglass

Oct. 25, 2008, 03:18 PM

Drvmb1ggl3

Oct. 25, 2008, 03:26 PM

Rick was classic Rick yesterday when ESPN did the piece on female trainers and Dutrow scoffed at the notion ;) Even D. Wayne was willing to say "back then" when started up it wasn't popular, but today said racing today rightfully is equal opportunity.

Dutrow is a grade A wanker. The number one person in his barn, and the person probably as important in Big Brown's success, was Michelle Nevin.
He just likes to be controversial.

Kavania

Oct. 25, 2008, 03:33 PM

I diden't see that interview, sounded pretty interesting though. :yes:

Acertainsmile

Oct. 25, 2008, 03:56 PM

They interviewed Mike Iavarone....

Anne FS

Oct. 25, 2008, 04:05 PM

Wondered who that was. They were talking about how his post-race criticism of the jockey was really because he was so upset about the threats, but the whole thing raised more questions than it answered.

RedMare01

Oct. 25, 2008, 04:48 PM

Rick Dutrow was such an a$$ in the interview yesterday. Glad Big Brown will be away from him now.

Caitlin

Barnfairy

Oct. 25, 2008, 05:30 PM

Anyone see the interview with, who was that? That was BB's owner, Mike Iavarone.

...who said that the day of the Belmont the police came to him and said there were credible threats that if ANYTHING happened to BB in that race, he & his family would be killed.

...So was he saying that's one of the reasons BB was pulled up?I didn't take him to mean that, but who knows. The tale seemed a little tall and the odor fishy.

abrant

Oct. 25, 2008, 06:21 PM

That was BB's owner, Mike Iavarone.

I didn't take him to mean that, but who knows. The tale seemed a little tall and the odor fishy.

I had that feeling originally when I heard it, but then I got to thinking and it's one of those stories you can't really make up. I imagine the media will pick up on at least a little bit because it's interesting... and they will be quick to verify with local police/security.

I don't think that even Mike Iavarone is stupid enough to tell a story like that with such serious implications that could be easily disproven.

As far as an excuse, it kind of flies. In the heat the moment when you fear for your life and that of your family, a jockey is as good as a scapegoat as any :)

And seriously, I have seen the FOB and they are creepy. I could see such a threat being made. Not carried out per say, but made for sure.

ArtilleryHill

Oct. 25, 2008, 08:09 PM

I don't think that even Mike Iavarone is stupid enough to tell a story like that with such serious implications that could be easily disproven.

Oh, I dunno--didn't he, er, embellish a few points (and not reveal others) on the c.v. he posted on the IEAH website about his Wall Street experience? That was pretty easy to find out about, too.

abrant

Oct. 25, 2008, 08:23 PM

Oh, I dunno--didn't he, er, embellish a few points (and not reveal others) on the c.v. he posted on the IEAH website about his Wall Street experience? That was pretty easy to find out about, too.

ROFL... Ok, add the world "AGAIN" to my prior statement :winkgrin:

It's people like him that keep the sport interesting, lol

Flash44

Oct. 27, 2008, 06:33 PM

I'm sure there are people who hit big by betting against Big Brown in the Belmont.

findeight

Oct. 27, 2008, 07:19 PM

I saw the Ivarone piece where he claimed he was shadowed by NYC detectives all week after they told him he and his family were in danger "if anything happened to BB". He indicated that was part of the deal with the jock pulling the horse up.

NYPD has had no comment and there was no follow up on the story by ESPN that is always looking to dig the dirt on sports figures. no remarks whatsoever other then the one live interview.

Odd this was not revealed before with so much money at stake and such a popular horse. No leaks in this day of those wanting to sell or even just share a story.

Basically, IMO, it belongs in the manure spreader. The rag/tabloid papers in NYC did not even pick it up and they miss NOTHING like this.

Flypony

Oct. 27, 2008, 11:14 PM

Too bad they were only threats.

harvestmoon

Oct. 27, 2008, 11:34 PM

Wow, nice.

gubbyz

Oct. 27, 2008, 11:37 PM

"And the Oscar goes to..." :lol: What a crock!

Glimmerglass

Oct. 28, 2008, 10:14 AM

Ray Paulick's Report delves into this topic today (http://www.paulickreport.com/blog/iavarone-death-threat/)

Death threats or not I don't know why the media really cares about the never-ending drama that surrounds IEAH. If "they" were threatened the day after the Belmont it might be more plausible. A lot of folks were burned with the horse effectively forcibly removed from finishing and ruining any chance with various exotic wagers like the superfecta.

Iavarone being threatened could easily go to the fact he mislead investors with his background, was tied in a notorious boiler-room penny stock firm before, and other financial dealing that ended in court.

kcmel

Oct. 28, 2008, 10:23 AM

***yawn***

mourningdove

Oct. 28, 2008, 09:22 PM

it is documented fact that big brown sprung a shoe and that is the reason he ended up not doing well. try running with half your shoe falling off some time. doesnt work that way. i have been an asst trainer for years and i know alot can happen to cause losing a race. http://hstrial-yhirsch.homestead.com/index.html this is where u can see more of big brown

findeight

Oct. 29, 2008, 01:27 PM

Yeah...we know that.

For some reason the head of the horsey hedge fund blames others for death threats against his family if anything happened to the horse and that was partially responsible in the horse being pulled up, something he did not mention for 6 friggen months. Something the sometimes maligned jockey never mentioned in his own defense.

The subject of his interview was supposed to be BBs retirement and current injury, not a conspiracy theory.

Blinkers On

Oct. 29, 2008, 02:40 PM

Man these guys do like to spin a yarn!
At Least they are consistent. Dutrow needs his vocal chords removed, and Ivarone has countless bloodstock agents he's ripped off as per commissions (which is ironic considering the blood sucking leeches agents tend to be), and investors have been burned and lashing out. Story off the year! These two seriously need to step out of the dung colored spotlight!

Glimmerglass

Oct. 29, 2008, 03:09 PM

Because it never seems to end: Paulick "Iavarone Death Threat: It's News To NYRA" (http://www.paulickreport.com/blog/iavarone-death-threat-its-news-to-nyra/)

I still find his previous day's report citing Iavarone saying explicitly he woke up at 10 am the morning of the Belmont mind blowing. 10am on the biggest day of all? Come on. Is the guy narcoleptic (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=we9_CdNPuJg&feature=related) or something? ;)

Texarkana

Oct. 29, 2008, 08:24 PM

***yawn***

My sentiments exactly...

Coral

Nov. 3, 2008, 10:48 AM

Although I question setting aside part of the coverage of the Breeders' Cup for what is old news, just to put the issue to bed: Police confirm Iavarone's story. (http://news.bloodhorse.com/article/47841.htm)

grayarabpony

Nov. 3, 2008, 10:51 AM

Oh well, that makes it all legit then. :yes:

Glimmerglass

Nov. 3, 2008, 12:18 PM

Police confirm Iavarone's story. (http://news.bloodhorse.com/article/47841.htm)

I was amused by this remark:

Iavarone said he was incensed reading two blog reports casting doubt on his story.

:D

I guess I'm still wondering why this is news at all. I'm sure for example Bo Derek gets hate mail and threats for accepting a position on the CHRB after being a PeTA supporter. Larry Jones clearly was the recipient of death threats although I don't think each day that he goes to DelPark he has a wall of Delaware State Troopers around him.

Was this "news" because NYRA didn't give him extra security yet a 'threat' was out there against MI? Otherwise it is even further making a mountain out of a mole hill.