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Sunday, May 26, 2002

Although Pittsburgh native Russell Reineman is thrilled that War Emblem has a chance to win the Triple Crown, he's not real happy about the handling of the $1 million bonus the colt is due from Sportsman's Park for winning the Illinois and Kentucky Derbies.

Reineman sold 90 percent of War Emblem to Prince Ahmed Salman's The Thoroughbred Corp., for $900,000 after the Illinois Derby.

Reineman told the Chicago Sun Times he believes he should receive at least half of the bonus. The Thoroughbred Corp.'s position is that he is entitled only to a 10 percent share.

Reineman said nothing had been resolved in the dispute, but would not comment further. "My attorney's asked me not to talk about it," he said. "It's entirely in their hands." He referred to his lawyer and the attorneys for the prince and Sportsman's Park.

Neil Papiano, a Los Angeles attorney who represents The Thoroughbred Corp., told The Blood-Horse, an industry magazine, that the contract clearly mandated a 90-10 split of the bonus.

According to the publication, the contract reads in part: "After the purchase price has been paid, seller will present Jockey Club papers to the buyer showing the buyer's full ownership. The seller warrants the title to the colt will be conveyed as clear without any liens, without any encumbrances, or without any claims by the seller."

Reineman didn't make it to Baltimore to see War Emblem win the Preakness Stakes, but he said it had nothing to do with the dispute. "I just had too many things on my mind," he said. Reineman owns a steel company in Chicago, where he resides.

Reineman was, however, in front of the television set when Victor Espinoza and War Emblem held off late-charging long shot Magic Weisner.

"I was happy the kid did it," Reineman said. "I was worried for a while that he wouldn't do it. I hope he does it for the Belmont, too."

As of Friday, Reineman hadn't tried to handicap the huge field of challengers War Emblem might face in the Triple Crown finale June 8.

He said his staff had gathered the past performance records of the potential runners for him and that he would look them over this weekend.

"One of my friends looked it over and told me it doesn't look like it's too hard a race," Reineman said. "I hope it all holds together and he does his job."

Despite the dispute between Reineman and the Prince, Bob Baffert, the colt's new trainer, called the minority owner to congratulate him the Mondays after the Derby and Preakness.

"I don't know him, but he was kind and considerate, and I appreciated it very much," he said. "He's done a great job with this horse."

Prix d'Normandy update

Prix d'Normandy, the rejuvenated 12-year-old Meadows trotter profiled in this spot two weeks ago, continues to dominate in the $20,000 claiming handicaps at The Meadowlands in East Rutherford, N.J.

He scored his fourth victory in six starts at the Big M with Tyler Stillings once again in the bike. Stillings, assistant trainer to Mark Goldberg, gave the gelding this past Wednesday off, but he's entered to race in the same class again three days from now.

Stillings bought Prix d'Normandy for $4,000 late this winter and slowly worked him up through the ranks at The Meadows before moving on to the Meadowlands.

Meadows report

MEC at The Meadows reported good and bad news at the State Harness Racing Commission meeting April 25, according to minutes recently released.

Race Secretary Tom Leasure reported total handle for March down 4.3 percent compared to March 2001. Xpress Bet (telephone wagering) was down 36.9 percent and YouBet was down 26.8 percent. New Castle OTB declined 9.1 percent; Moon, 9.3 percent; and West Mifflin, 7.9 percent. Harmar was even with last year.

On the positive side, Leasure said, in-state simulcasting was up 10.6 percent for March compared to 2001 and interstate simulcasting was up 11.3 percent.

Elmer Schweninger, executive director of the Meadows Standardbred Owners Association, told the commission no further purse cuts would be needed this year if track business continued at its current rate.

Pohla Smith can be reached at psmith@post-gazette.com.