Judge dismisses gambling lawsuit against American Pharoah's owner
A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit over $1.65 million in gambling debts against the owner of American Pharoah on Thursday, according to the Associated Press.
The lawsuit was filed in March 2014. American Pharoah's owner, Ahmed Zayat, filed a motion last month asking a judge to throw out the lawsuit, which accused him of owing $1.65 million to a man who says he gave Zayat money to use for gambling bets that were placed at offshore casinos.
The dismissal comes just two days before American Pharoah tries to complete the Triple Crown by winning the Belmont Stakes. The horse already won the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes this year.
“Justice always prevails,” Zayat told the AP. “I have said before these are all lies from A to Z. And the judge ruled in our favor. Could not have happened at a better time.”
• LAYDEN: American Pharoah's entourage faces public journey to Belmont
In his motion, Zayat had argued that the lawsuit should be dismissed because it was filed after the six-year statute of limitations and because the man suing had not come up with a written contract between the two.
A federal judge dismissed it on the basis that it was filed after the statute of limitations had expired in New Jersey, according to the AP.
On Monday, Zayat was hit with a $10 million libel lawsuit that alleges he made "blatant" and "malicious" lies to the media in the wake of the gambling lawsuit. The libel lawsuit is still pending.
- Molly Geary
