War Emblem’s Owner Files Lawsuit Over Bonus

The majority owner of Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner War Emblem has filed a lawsuit seeking the $1-million bonus for the colt’s victories in the Illinois and Kentucky derbies.

The Thoroughbred Corp. filed the suit Monday in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles against The National Jockey Club, which runs Sportsman’s Park, the Chicago racetrack that sponsored the bonus.

The dispute is about who is entitled to the $1-million bonus--Thoroughbred Corp. owner Prince Ahmed bin Salman or War Emblem’s previous owner, Russell Reineman, who retains a 10% interest.

Reineman was sole owner when the colt won the Illinois Derby on April 6. Five days later, he sold a 90% interest in War Emblem to Bin Salman, who paid $990,000 in cash, according to the lawsuit.

Three weeks later, War Emblem won the Kentucky Derby, which triggered the Sportsman’s Park bonus. Reineman contends he’s entitled to half of the $1 million. The Thoroughbred Corp. says it should receive all of the money because it owned 90% of War Emblem when he won the Derby.

On May 30, Sportsman’s Park told The Thoroughbred Corp. that it would not pay the bonus because Reineman had sent a letter claiming he was entitled to the entire $1 million.

Jurisprudence

The friend of a woman allegedly drugged and raped by two men while Oakland Raider defensive tackle Darrell Russell videotaped the attack testified that she felt “weird” after tasting the drink prosecutors say was spiked by Russell.

The testimony came in the third day of Russell’s preliminary hearing in Alameda County Superior Court. Prosecutors allege Russell spiked the drink with a date-rape drug .

Russell is charged with 25 felonies as an accomplice to his friends, Na’eem Perry and Ali Hayes, who appear on the videotape. The three men have pleaded not guilty.

Football

Green Bay signed linebacker Hardy Nickerson, a 15-year veteran and five-time Pro Bowl selection released by Jacksonville on June 3 in a cost-cutting move. Terms were not released.... Linebacker Mike Jones, who made the game-saving tackle in St. Louis’ Super Bowl victory over Tennessee two years ago, signed with the Raiders.... Former Notre Dame quarterback Matt LoVecchio said he will play at Indiana in 2003 after sitting out next season because of NCAA transfer rules.... Duke quarterback D. Bryant has been ruled academically ineligible for next season.

Tennis

Defending champion and top-seeded Lleyton Hewitt defeated American qualifier Mardy Fish, 7-5, 6-3, to advance to the third round of the Queen’s Club at London....Thomas Johansson defeated Ivan Ljubicic, 6-4, 6-3, to advance to the quarterfinals of the Gerry Weber Open at Halle, Germany.

Miscellany

Formula One officials are set to strip Michael Schumacher of his Austrian Grand Prix victory, the German magazine Auto, Motor and Sport reported Wednesday.

The publication quoted sources from FIA, the sport’s governing body, saying Rubens Barrichello, Schumacher’s Ferrari teammate, would be awarded the Grand Prix title.

Ferrari sports director Jean Todt ordered Barrichello to slow down on the final straight of the May 12 race, allowing Schumacher to win the race and help his bid for a fifth world title.

Marion Jones won the women’s 200 meters in 22.32 seconds, the fastest time in the world this year, and Alesia Turova of Belarus set a world record of 9 minutes 21.72 seconds in the women’s 3,000 steeplechase in the Golden Spike meet at Ostrava, Czech Republic.

She broke the record of 9:22.29, set June 5 by Poland’s Justine Bak.

Edson Buddle scored in the final minute of overtime and the Columbus Crew defeated the New England Revolution, 2-1, at Foxboro, Mass.

In her first WUSA game since returning from a knee injury, Mia Hamm scored the winning goal, in the 72nd minute, and the Washington Freedom defeated the Boston Breakers, 2-1, in front of 4,399 at Washington.

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T.J. Simers’ column appears on W2.