A court battle between the owners of a Newport stable that breeds, trains and races horses began this week in Bangor.

One partner, Rocco Boni, and his wife, Donna, of Wethersfield, Conn., have filed three claims in Penobscot County Superior Court against the other partner, Stanley Craig of Newport.

According to the most serious of the allegations, Craig converted the Bonis’ money and personal property for his own use, and caused confusion in the process of registering horses by creating a corporation with a name similar to that of their joint operation, Sonny Rock Stables Inc.

Craig said Thursday that his attorney had advised him to withhold comment except to deny all of the allegations.

The Connecticut couple, who according to court documents contributed $200,000 to the operation, is seeking $400,000 in damages for investments, personal property and profits they say they lost because of Craig’s alleged actions.

Craig, they claim, assumed for his own use a 1988 Chevrolet truck, a horse trailer, six sulkies, harnesses and bridles, and various other items.

In the same lawsuit, they contend that he created a corporation known as Sonny Rock Stables deliberately to confuse the registration of five horses — Pussy Willow, Rejoice, Trusty Lite, Fine Tooth Comb and Lisa Frasier’s Boy — with the United States Trotting Association.

In a second lawsuit, which also names Craig’s wife, Althea, the Bonis are asking for the court-ordered sale of the Newport farm and division of the proceeds.

The third lawsuit states without further elaboration that the jointly owned Sonny Rock Stables Inc. owes Rocco Boni $40,000.