Bond Says Buddha Improving From Leg Injury That Knocked Him Out Of Derby 128

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (May 4, 2002) - Mary and Gary West's Buddha, the winner of the Wood Memorial (GI), was reported by his trainer to be improving on the day after an apparently minor leg injury knocked him out of Kentucky Derby (GI) 128.

Trainer H. James Bond, who would have made his first appearance in the Kentucky Derby with the son of Unbridled's Song, said Buddha was displaying signs of significant improvement on the day after he was found to be lame in his left front leg.

"With no medication he's almost 90 percent right now," Bond said. "The timing is terrible. You just can't do anything about it, but you know he's a really nice horse and I'm very disappointed. But I'm also happy that he's standing in that stall and not laying down somewhere."

The results of the first round of tests on the colt's injured leg are promising, according to veterinarian Dr. Larry Bramlage.

"We X-rayed his left knee, ankle and shin today," said Bramlage. "The results are back and they're fine, so we're proceeding with 'plan A'."

The next step in that plan is to ship Buddha to Rood & Riddle equine clinic in Lexington, Ky., on Monday. The colt will undergo a nuclear bone scan there and, if all goes well, Bond can begin to think of returning Buddha to training.

"We want to really see exactly what it is," Bond said. "Hopefully we can get him back on the right road again for the fall."

Although Buddha's defection from the Kentucky Derby was a crushing disappointment for Bond, his spirits were lifted on Kentucky Oaks Day when he saddled William Clifton's 3-year-old Legislator to win the Crown Royal American Turf (GIII) on the Churchill Downs grass. The upset victory by Farda Amiga in the Kentucky Oaks (GI) also provided Bond with reason for cheer. The Oaks result left him smiling because Bond's stable at Saratoga includes a 2-year-old Dynaformer colt named Dynometer. He is a half-brother to the Kentucky Oaks winner and could be the type of youngster that is capable of bringing Bond back to Churchill Downs next spring.

"What a nice colt," said Bond. "He could be any kind of horse."

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