IAVARONE DEATH THREAT
“The morning of the (June 7) Belmont Stakes, I had been woken up around 10 a.m.,” he told Mayne. "There was a knock on my door and there were several New York City Police Department detectives. They asked me to come outside because they didn’t want to talk to me in front of my family. They told me there had been a serious death threat lodged against me, basically from Tallahassee, Florida, from an extremist saying that if anything should happen to Big Brown in the race, myself and my family were not safe. Basically I was followed by eight to nine New York detectives all day, everywhere I went. Obviously after the horse was pulled up the rest is obvious.”
Mayne said ESPN/ABC learned of Iavarone’s story the day before the live interview aired and suggested that Iavarone’s emotional reaction to Big Brown’s defeat was “painted by that threat, not what the shortfall was of not winning the Triple Crown.”
“Obviously the horse is sound and is retired so I would not believe they would have any reason to harm myself or my family,” Iavarone said. “They have not told me the case is closed.”
The strange timing of Iavarone’s revelations notwithstanding, there are some details about his story that just don’t add up. I was seated directly behind Iavarone in the box section of Belmont during the running of the Belmont Stakes, and saw just one person who was clearly serving in a security capacity – a burly African-American man wearing a dark suit, an open collared white shirt and a “Big Brown” button on his lapel. It appears to be the same individual who has traveled with Iavarone to other races, including last weekend’s Breeders’ Cup.
Immediately after the race, while Big Brown was being unsaddled, I stood directly below the IEAH box and took a series of photographs of a shocked Iavarone, who was surrounded by his family members and fellow IEAH executive Richard Schiavo. There appeared to be no additional security around Iavarone and his family, only the same bodyguard described above. Certainly, I didn’t see “eight or nine New York detectives” in the immediate area.
I’m not accusing Iavarone of making up a story about a death threat. There were a series of incidents and revelations that made Iavarone something of a lightning rod with individuals within and outside of the racing community, some of which inflamed animal rights activities. There was the revelation that Big Brown raced legally on anabolic steroids when he won the Derby, the disclosure that Iavarone had lied about his past life as a “high profile banker on Wall Street,” the fact he had been fined and suspended by the National Association of Security Dealers, and the determination to run Big Brown in the Belmont despite suffering a quarter crack and missing training before the race.
Attempts by the Paulick Report to contact New York Racing Association officials to determine their knowledge of the alleged death threat and increased New York Police Department security detail were not successful.
Copyright © 2008, The Paulick Report
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Tags: belmont park, belmont stakes, Big Brown, espn, Horse Racing, iavarone death threat, IEAH, IEAH stable, kenny mayne, kentucky derby winner big brown, Michael Iavarone, New York Racing Association, Paulick Report, Ray Paulick, richard schiavo, Triple Crown
October 28th, 2008 at 9:59 am
I agree that it is highly suspicious. Michael Ivarone and Rick Dutrow both were very open in the days leading up to the Belmont. He just didn’t act like a man with a death threat against his family. Had it been me, my family would have immediately gone into hiding, not paraded at Belmont. I’m definitely not saying he is lying, it’s just strange to me.
October 28th, 2008 at 10:20 am
Ray - What happened to the Ivarones unfortunately reflects the depth of money concerns in any aspect of the horse business.
My practice concentrates on fradulent horse sales, hidden commissions and many rotten practices. They all involves some very nasty individuals who may seem innocuous. People always wonder why I have a very high end security system and Dobermans who don’t like strangers.
Our business is filled with people who are very greedy as I’m sure you know. The unfortunate thinking that Mr. Ivarone would have manufactured the “story” is problamatic of people who could not possibly believe that there is such evil in our business; I know much better.
October 28th, 2008 at 11:00 am
I was at the Belmont and in fact was parked directly across the path from Baffert’s (?) barn, where BB was stabled. After the race I walked through the tunnel and saw Iavarone talking to a few media types. I have a credential but was not wearing it yet I was able to get close into this small clutch of folks. At this time, BB had just left the spit barn and his condition following his dreadful showing was not known. Clearly the possibility existed that he might have been “hurt” though I was standing at the gap for the race and saw him leave the track not apparently lame.
If Iavarone’s story is true, then until confirmation could be made that BB was unhurt, then at that moment he was fearing for his and his family members’ lives. After speaking with a few of us and takig questions, he walked back to the barn alongside his body guard, the big African American man in the photo. I stuck around for at least 30 minutes, maybe more. I saw John Lee of NYRA, we chatted about attendance. I saw a few other media members that I know. Poeple were hanging around, hoping to get a story or figure out what had happened. Most of the folks were leaning on the fence outside the barn. No one set up a security perimeter of tape or pylons.
I saw no uniformed police other than a single NYRA Security man. I also saw no plainclothes men who looked like security, apart from Iavarone’s usual body guard.
While I realize that the backstretch at Belmont is pretty secure, Iavarone seemed pretty relaxed. I saw a couple of well dressed young women (teens maybe?) who I figured were family members. While there was some tension about, it didn’t seem undue considering the concern that everyone had for BB after his showing on the track.
October 28th, 2008 at 11:16 am
How sad, if this story is really true…..death threats are not a funny joke these days and should be taken seriously. I’m surprised the New York City Police Department Detectives did not follow up and inform Mr. Ivarone of their findings……I know I would want to know the status, if it involved the safety of my family…..By the way, how is Big Brown doing regarding his hoof / bulb injury?? I have not heard a single bit of info regarding the Big Fellow . I would love to hear some update on Big Brown!
October 28th, 2008 at 12:10 pm
Iavarone was still asleep at 10 AM on Belmont Stakes day???
So did jockey KD know of the threat and was afraid for Iavarone and his family and decided to air on the side of safety? Did KD get the same threat and decided to pull BB up?
Were bettors deceived?
October 28th, 2008 at 12:31 pm
I would not be at all surprised to learn that death threats were made against Iavarone and/or Dutrow, whether or not the dramatic scenes described by Iavarone actually occurred on Belmont day. I heard someone screaming “criminals” and “killers” at the Big Brown team immediately after Big Brown won the Haskell.
Animal rights activists, whose rhetoric can be inflammatory, may have made threats. Also, the reading I’ve done in the short time I’ve been following racing tells me that Dave Johnson is right on the money. There are a lot of nasty individuals involved in racing. Motivated by greed or malice or both, there are people who are perfectly willing to harm horses - if not people - and have done so on numerous occasions.
All the more reason for the installation of a strong Commissioner with broad powers. Under the present hodge-podge of “fiefdoms,” racing is like the wild west with a different marshall in every town whose competence and disinterestedness vary wildly from one town to the next.
October 28th, 2008 at 12:51 pm
Jesse Jackson has an armed body guard during the keeneland sales.Now this Ivarone beauty has one,big one too.Sheik Mohamed wanders around keeneland as if on vacation.I went to the Br.Cup had dinner next to Clint Eastwood in Bev hills.Walked up to Mel Brooks and had a laugh with him.They didn’t seemed too worried.Funny how some people like to make themselves look important.I’m sure the sheriff was talking to him but it wasn’t about a death threat.
October 28th, 2008 at 1:53 pm
I am now waiting for the IEAH “rumor” that Big Brown was drugged like a rock star before the Belmont by the underworld. Look, this industry - like most - has its shadows, but more media outlets than the lazy ESPN would have been all over this story, especially with the leaks that flow to major daily newspapers in the (state of) New York.
October 28th, 2008 at 2:18 pm
Wow, Iavarone could sleep until 10 am on the morning of such a monumentally historic day? Presumably when he was taken out of earshot of his family, they too were all sleeping like babies on a day that will likely never be matched in their lives. I supposed that’s possible.
Are death threats generally made to the police? Isn’t it usually the intended victim who reports it to the police? Lesson in fibbing: don’t give too much detail. A simple “I’ve had a few threats and just feel more comfortable with Bruno at my side” would do. Or a candid “He makes me look more important and I get more attention when I walk through a room.” Often bodyguards are disguised to blend in and thus be more effective, but Mr. T appeared to be more of an attention getter.
October 28th, 2008 at 5:02 pm
If this was anyone else, it wouldn’t be met with skepticism; however, Iavarone has proven himself to be both slippery and a lying low life - that anyone would question it. That being said, some animal rights activists are so fanatical that some sort of a plot against Iavarone or another horseman could be credible, especially after the Eight Belles tragedy.
The IEAH run may be over in this game anyhow, lightning rarely strikes in the same spot twice.
October 28th, 2008 at 5:23 pm
phony ivaronne’story is a complete crock.
October 28th, 2008 at 8:19 pm
* The actual message was from Tricky Dick Dutrow, who said, “This horse better win or we’ll get killed, babe.”
* The “eight to nine” cops were actually the number of police that the Iavarone family van passed on the way to Elmont, because they all slept until 10AM and didn’t leave home until noon on Belmont Day. “Honey, daddy needs the bathroom, we have a Triple Crown on the line today.”
* Ray, next time I’d spend more time taking pictures of Mrs. Desormeaux rather than Mr. Iavarone.
October 29th, 2008 at 8:55 am
Shame on you Ray for not doing due diligence on the police protection that was put into place on Belmont Stakes day by the NYPD before reporting about the very real death threats made on Michael Iavarone and Richard Dutrow prior to the Belmont Stakes. On the morning of the Belmont Stakes, plain clothes detectives from the NYPD showed up at Michael Iavarone’s house informing him of the threat, which they took very seriously. At the time, I was at the IEAH tent at Belmont Park in meetings. I was approached by three plain clothes detectives who were sent there as well to explain what was going on. In total, there were at least eight detectives on hand at Belmont Park that day that were sent by the NYPD. It was explained to me, by one of the plain clothes detectives, upon their arrival that the NYPD and FBI had received a letter that was forwarded to them from the Tallahassee, FL Police Dept., threatening the lives of the owners and trainer of Big Brown if the horse were hurt or killed. I was able to view the letter, and read it myself. It went on to say that no one at Belmont Park would be safe. This was extremely troubling as we did not know who sent the letter or how serious the threats were. They were obviously serious enough to the NYPD to send officers to Mike’s house and to Belmont Park. Michael Iavarone knew nothing of the threats until the officers showed up at his house that morning. You may not have seen detectives with him but they were by his side at all times throughout the day. He was not allowed to go to the paddock area, men’s room, the jockeys room or anywhere on the premises without them. For some reason you report that “there are some details about his story that just don’t add up.” You base this on the fact that you stood directly below the IEAH box and took a series of photographs of Iavarone surrounded by his family members and go on to report that there appeared to be no additional security other than the burly African- American man. I too was right below the box Mike was in and there were at least four NYPD detectives standing with me, watching Mike and his family. You might want to check the photo that ran on the inside front cover of the Bloodhorse issue that came out right after the Belmont Stakes. You can clearly see a detective, with an ear piece in his ear, standing close to Mike. More importantly, you should have called the NYPD, the FBI, the Tallahassee Police Department or Michael Iavarone to get your facts straight before reporting about something you had no knowledge about.
October 29th, 2008 at 9:15 am
Even if his story is true, for Iavarone to pick BC day to tell his tale and on national TV no less, shows how egomaniacal he really is.
He further tarnished the image of the sport that has had its problems already. A sport he says he cares so deeply about.
Over the last year, we have had to hear him rant on how he is always looking out for the sport, with his Equine hospital (for profit of course) and a press release on how his horses will all be off drugs (except top making agent LASIX).
Yet on the biggest day, on national tv, he decides to bring up this incident from 5 months ago? And he wonders why people just don’t like him. No more lectures Mike..
October 29th, 2008 at 10:18 am
This is in response to the post by Kelly (or should I say an Ieah insider attempting to do damage controll). Where should I start. First of, were you actually at Mike Iavarone house when the detectives informed him of the threats on his life. Secondly, you must have some status to say the least for NY detectives to divulge such information and be privy to a letter to you. I don’t think so. It would be reckless for law enforcement to act in this manner especially regarding a threat of such magnitude. Yes, they would of informed the proper authority of such a threat (NYRA). Further more, you said that ‘you may not have seen detectives with him but they were by his side at all times throughout the day. He was not allowed to go to the paddock area, men’s room, the jockeys room or anywhere on the premises without them’. I can at a drop of a hat get several statements from people who saw Mr. Iavarone in the men’s room and paddock area and there were no individuals uniformed or plain clothes within 50yds of him. Apart form the African-American gentleman by Mr. Iavarone side that day there were police detectives present. However, not at Mr. Iavarone expense. There were opinions that was voiced publicly targeting the industry and mistreatment of horses and possible consequences if further injuries continued to plague these beautiful creatures. I have to admit I am not an avid Paulick Report reader, but this story got my attention and especially this post. Did you not read the report all the way to the end. ‘Atttempts by Paulick Report to contact New York Racing Association officials to determine their knowledge of the alleged death threat and increased New York Police Department security detail were not successful’. Also, it is understood that Law enforcement agencies does not voluntarilly confirm reports of this nature unless it’s in the best interest of the person in arms way or theirs.
In closing, I am now even more watchful of Mr. Iavarone and his connections. It is somewhat disturbing that this is the gentleman connected to the Ruffian Equine Medical Center currently in construction opposite Belmont Park. It would be wrong of me to dismiss these alleged threats made on Mr. Iavarone’s life, and sincerely hope there is no further danger to him or his family.
October 29th, 2008 at 1:21 pm
[...] Iavarone said in an interview during ABC’s telecast of the Breeders’ Cup World Champions… last Saturday that New York Police Department detectives came to his house June 7 to notify him of the threat, which he said came from “an extremist” in Tallahassee, Fla. A letter from this individual allegedly stated that if anything happened to Big Brown in the Belmont Stakes, neither Iavarone nor his family would be safe. The threat was said to have been relayed to the NYPD by the Tallahassee Police Department. [...]
October 29th, 2008 at 2:32 pm
In response to Outlaw.
I am not an IEAH insider. They are a client of mine as are numerous members of our industry. Call it damage control or whatever you’d like. I do not like to see anyone insinuate or imply that anyone I know (whether or not it be a client) is fabricating something when the facts that I know prove otherwise. No, I was not at Mike’s house. As I stated in my earlier post I was at Belmont Park and was informed by the detectives that came to Belmont Park that there were other detectives that were sent to Michael Iavarone’s house. I did see the letter postmarked Tallahassee, FL and it was shown to me by an NYPD detective. Whether or not you choose to believe me is of no concern to me. Whether or not this is against normal protocol in a situation like this is of no concern to me either. What does concern me is that a story was put out and the facts were not researched enough to warrant the story come out in the fashion it did. You seem to be well versed in law enforcement. If so, please advise Mr. Paulick on how best to go about reaching the proper authorities so that he may get his facts straight. I am not sure what Mr. Paulick’s agenda is here. Although I would assume that NYRA authorities would have been notified about this issue, and quite surprised if they weren’t, it would be a question for the FBI, NYPD or the Tallahasse Police Department to answer if they weren’t, not Ray Paulick or me and certainly not you trying to play armchair law enforcement on an issue you obviously know nothing about.
October 29th, 2008 at 2:37 pm
Has anybody considered the possibility that these 8 detectives were racing fans and made the whole thing up to get a better vantage point for the first Triple Crown since Affirmed? It is, after all, New York!
October 29th, 2008 at 2:44 pm
LOL. Hilarious Barry. Ray….you might want to look into this.
October 29th, 2008 at 4:13 pm
I have to agree that Barry version of this story seems more plausible.
October 29th, 2008 at 8:58 pm
In response to Barry, Kelly, and Outlaw:
Since the 8 NYPD Detectives only existed in Iavarones mind, sure, why not.
October 31st, 2008 at 11:06 am
Kelly, this is quite a contradiction. You are an insider , deny all you want.
“Iam not an IEAH insider. They are a client of mine as are numerous members of our industry. Call it damage control or whatever you’d like. I do not like to see anyone insinuate or imply that anyone I know (whether or not it be a client) is fabricating something when the facts that I know prove otherwise.
November 26th, 2008 at 3:10 pm
To al you think you know it all blowhards, I was in IEAH’s tent and there were plainclothes cops with earpeices EVERYWHERE.