Word: guida
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Dates: during 1980-1989
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...investors. Unfortunately, it is not one big happy family. Niatross's various owners have slapped one another with lawsuits, attempting to gain control over the colt's future. On one flank are Breeder Elsie Berger and Trainer-Driver Clint Galbraith; on the other is Stockbroker Louis Guida, manager of the Niatross syndicate. At issue is which breeding farm will have the benefit of his prestigious services...
When Galbraith took his strapping (16 hands high) colt to the races, Niatross showed none of the gangliness of youth, winning his first six starts. Enter Stockbroker Guida, a Merrill, Lynch executive who dabbled in harness syndications as a sideline. In September of 1979, Guida bought half-interest in the colt for $2.5 million in cash plus performance bonuses. He quickly recouped that investment by selling 20 shares at $200,000 each...
Niatross continued to dominate the pacing field as a three-year-old, finally running up a string of 19 consecutive wins. In July the agreement between the owners came unraveled-and so did the colt. Galbraith and Berger sued Guida, hoping to invalidate the sale. The central issue was where Niatross would stand at stud. Galbraith wants the horse at the Scottsville, N.Y., farm run by his wife. The purchase agreement stipulates that Niatross will go to a farm of Guida's choosing. For her part, Berger will say only that she wants her colt to remain...
Such performances further enhance his value as a stud, but Galbraith and Berger are eager for him to continue to race. Says Berger: "I want to see him race as a four-year-old. God put breath in this horse so that he could bring excitement to the people." Guida disagrees: "What if he takes a false step and is injured? Right now, he's worth $40,000 per breeding. But the risks are great, and everything could be lost...
Already lost is the dignity of the warring factions. One day before the Messenger Stakes, Guida won a court ruling that puts Niatross out to stud in 1981. But the bitterness remains, and Galbraith and Berger plan to appeal. Laments Berger: "He's such a regal animal. I hope that all this doesn't reflect on the horse." It couldn't. Niatross is the best that's ever been. -By B.J. Phillips Reported by Peter Ainslie/New York...