Controversy in the 132nd Kentucky Derby

The estate of James T. Hines Jr. announced it had sold a partial interest in Arkansas Derby winner Lawyer Ron to Our Legal Team, LLC.

Lawyer Ron will stand at Stonewall Stallions upon his retirement from racing. Our Legal Team, owned by Audrey Haisfield, operates Stonewall Stallions in Versailles.

Ron Bamberger, executor of the estate, said terms of the deal, including the percentage of ownership, were confidential but added that Lawyer Ron would race in the name and colors of the James Hines Jr. estate Saturday.

''I did not need permission from the family (to execute the deal), but I did confer with them and decided this was in their interest,'' said Bamberger, who is also Lawyer Ron's namesake.

''Of course, it was emotional for them selling any interest in the horse. The biggest thing they wanted was for the estate's name and colors to be part of the Kentucky Derby picture. That was non-negotiable,'' he added.

Hines, who also bred Lawyer Ron, accidentally drowned in his pool at his Owensboro home on Feb. 21.

Although a stud deal is in place, Bamberger insisted Lawyer Ron would race beyond his 3-year-old season as long as the son of Langfuhr remains in good health.

Lawyer Ron, the 4-to-1 second choice in the morning line for the Derby, comes into the race having won his last six starts including the $1 million Arkansas Derby on April 15. The chestnut colt will remain in the care of Bob Holthus, who was the sole trainer for Hines.

''It won't affect our preparations (for the Derby),'' Holthus said of the sale. ''(Lawyer Ron) doesn't know anything about it, and I'm not going to tell him.''

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