Day To Sub For Nakatani On Blue Burner In Derby 128
May 3, 2002

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (May 3, 2001) - Trainer Bill Mott said Friday afternoon that Pat Day will pick up the mount on Blue Burner in Kentucky Derby 128 because of an injury to jockey Corey Nakatani on Thursday at Hollywood Park.

"Corey was still experiencing some dizziness and the physician recommended he not ride Saturday because he may have had a concussion," Mott said.

"With the unfortunate injury to Buddha, Pat became available, and at this point, it would be a no-brainer. Pat and I have won a lot of races together here."

With the pickup of the mount on Blue Burner, Day will extend his streak of consecutive Derbys to 19. Day, who won the 1992 Derby on Lil E Tee, rode his first Derby in 1982, and then began his streak in 1984.

"I did not want somebody to get taken off in order to allow me the opportunity to ride," Day said. "If somebody was named on a horse and they were able and willing to ride, I wanted the opportunity to go to them. But if Corey's not up to riding I'm tickled pink to have the opportunity. I've certainly had a great deal of success with Billy over the years. He's a quality horseman and Hall of Fame trainer and I look forward to the opportunity."

Quotes from Pat Day:

Q: On picking up the Derby mount on Blue Burner (comments made around 1:15 p.m. EDT)

"Doc (agent Doc Danner) called me just a bit ago. I guess Corey (jockey Corey Nakatani) went back to the doctor this morning and doesn't feel that he's quite up to participating tomorrow. So he has taken off and made Blue Burner available and Billy Mott has given us the call."

Q: The chances seemed slim this morning that you would get a chance to ride in the Derby...

"I did not want somebody to get taken off in order to allow me the opportunity to ride. If somebody was named on a horse and they were able and willing to ride, I wanted the opportunity to go to them. But if Corey's not up to riding I'm tickled pink to have the opportunity. I've certainly had a great deal of success with Billy over the years. He's a quality horseman and Hall of Fame trainer and I look forward to the opportunity."

Q: You've had some emotional swings today...

"We're excited at the prospect of being in the race, but that certainly doesn't take away from the disappointment we feel for Buddha and for his connections."

Earlier comments from Day regarding the injury to Buddha:

Q: You had been excited about Buddha's chances in the Kentucky Derby...

"I was as optimistic and enthusiastic as I've ever been. Going into the Derby I felt real good. He really showed me a lot in his race in the Wood (Memorial). I was just very, very taken by where he was at with regards to his lack of experience. He just had a wonderful mind, he wanted to do right, he seemed to have all the right equipment and was coming up to the race in great shape. We were just enthusiastic and optimistic about our chances."

Q: Talk about your conversation at the barn with trainer H. James Bond...

"My heart really goes out to him. Obviously it's his first Derby. He's never been here before. He always said that he wouldn't come unless he thought he had a chance and he certainly had all the confidence in this colt and was optimistic about his chances. Jimmy was beating himself up this morning, running everything through his mind: what he could have done, what he should have done, what he didn't do. But the bottom line is that he covered all the bases. Whatever has happened was beyond his control, in spite of his paying so much attention to every detail. But that's just human nature, I think. Especially as the trainer -- the one that's in control over overseeing the caretaking of the individual -- when something like this happens I guess it's only natural that, although it's wrong, it's natural that you would question yourself as to whether you've done something you shouldn't have done or didn't do something you should have done. There's a lot of questions running through his mind and the fact that he's not going to be able to participate is just a real tough pill to swallow."

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