Lightly-Raced Buddha Steps Up, Wins Wood Memorial
By, Jenny Kellner

OZONE PARK, N.Y. (April 13, 2002) -- If there was a knock against Buddha going into the $750,000 Wood Memorial (GI), it was that the handsome gray colt had only made three starts in his career, earning just $39,600 with a pair of victories in Florida this past winter.

On a warm, cloudy afternoon at Aqueduct Race Course, that all changed.

Hooking up with early pacesetter Medaglia d’Oro midway down the backstretch, Buddha wrested the lead from the favorite as they straightened for home and prevailed by a head in a furious stretch-long duel to the wire. His time for the 1 1/8th-miles was a good 1:48.61.

Sunday Break, who closed to challenge the leaders on the turn, finished a half-length back in third. Another 2 3/4-lengths back was Saarland, followed by Blue Burner, Iwin and Nokoma. Laissezaller was pulled up on the backstretch with a fractured right hind leg, was vanned off the track and was later euthanized.

The first four finishers will likely go on to the Kentucky Derby (GI).

“He’s an amazing animal,” said winning trainer H. James Bond, who trains Buddha for Gary and Mary West. “The only instructions I gave (jockey) Pat Day were ‘Do not let Medaglia d’Oro get out by himself.‘ He secured the rail, pushed him up there in the inside ... he’s a winner.“

The next stop for Buddha will likely be the May 4 Kentucky Derby, said Bond. The Wood has produced the last two Kentucky Derby winners in Monarchos and Fusaichi Pegasus.

“We’re going to take it one day at a time with him for the next three weeks,” said Bond of Buddha, who earned $450,000 to remain undefeated in three starts this year. “Yes, he is lightly raced, and that’s a concern. But how can you take it away from owners like the Wests who have put so much into the game? If the horse’s health is well, why not take a chance? This horse is getting right at the right time.“

Buddha, the second choice in the field of eight, returned $8.20, $4.20 and $3.60. Unplaced in his only start at age 2, Buddha was a 4 1/4 length winner of his maiden race at Gulfstream Park on Feb. 9, then came back with an eye-popping 9 1/2-length allowance victory on Mar. 16 that earned him a Beyer speed figure of 106. Both victories were under Edgar Prado, who was committed to ride victorious Harlan’s Holiday in the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (GI) at Keeneland Race Course.

“That second race was amazing, the way he came six-wide“ said Bond. “He is one of those exceptional students that does everything right. That’s why he’s here today. He’s easy to train, and does everything right.”

Medaglia d’Oro, who was also making his fourth lifetime start after his surprise victory in the San Felipe, paid $3.60 and $3.20 under Laffit Pincay Jr.

“He was fine,” said trainer Bobby Frankel of Medaglia d‘Oro, who set early fractions of :23.84, :46.98 and 1:10.14. “It’s on to the Derby. It was a good race.“

The Japanese-bred Sunday Break, ridden by Gary Stevens, returned $4.70 for show as his three-race win streak was snapped in his first stakes start.

“I’m delighted with his effort,“ said trainer Neil Drysdale of Sunday Break, who won an allowance at Aqueduct on Mar. 27. “He got a little tired in the end but this is a race he can move forward off of. We’ll go on to the Kentucky Derby.“

“These are three good horses and it was a great finish,“ said Stevens. “This horse has come a long way in a short time and Neil and I think he can improve off it. I want to ride him in the Kentucky Derby if he gets in.“

Saarland, who trailed through the early going under John Velazquez and closed four-wide on the second turn, had an excellent outing, said trainer Shug McGaughey.

“I thought this was a great race for him,” said McGaughey of Saarland, winner of the Remsen Stakes (GIII) at Aqueduct last fall and second to Mayakovsky in the Gotham. “We were asked to do the impossible -- close into a paceless race. The horses that were ahead of us were 1-2-3 all the way around. We made out run and beat the horse (Blue Burner) that was second in the Florida Derby (GI). If he comes out of this race okay and (owner) Cynthia (Phipps) wants to go to the Kentucky Derby, I have no problem with that.“

Blue Burner will probably not go on to the Kentucky Derby, said trainer Bill Mott.

“There is not much to say about his race,” said Mott. “He had his chance to run and it never happened. The lack of pace didn’t help us but he never put in a run, anyway. It was not an encouraging performance.”

Laissezaller, who was to have remained in Mott’s barn following the Wood, suffered a comminuted fracture of the right hind pastern.

"Laissezaller's injury was unsalvageable," said New York Racing Association veterinarian Celese Kahn. "Radiographs were taken before the decision was made to euthanize the horse."

Jenny Kellner is one of the most respected, multi-faceted journalists in New York. She served as the New York Islanders beat writer for the New York Times and has covered Thoroughbred horse racing and professional football for several major publications in the Big Apple and beyond. She is a frequent contributor to a myriad of Thoroughbred racing trade publications and has covered numerous Kentucky Derbys and Breeders' Cups.

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