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Bond's Buddha stabled

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- H. James Bond had a favorite anecdote leading up to today's Kentucky Derby.

He would go to a party, people would ask what he did for a living, and when he told them he was a trainer of 27 years, they would become interested. Then someone would ask how many times he had entered a horse in the Derby.

When he told them "none," they would go away.

Bond, who has trained Grade I winners such as Behrens, Val's Prince and Will's Way, used the story to emphasize his exuberance in finally having a worthy contender in Buddha, the co-favorite at 5-1 in the morning line.

All that ended about 5 a.m. Friday when the Wood Memorial-winner protected his left front foot coming out of his stall and was diagnosed with a bruise that forced Bond to scratch him.

"I'd always said I wouldn't come to the Derby unless I thought I had a horse that could really run," Bond said, almost in tears. "He's an amazing horse, so it's tough, very disappointing."

Buddha, a lightly raced son of Unbridled's Song, had three wins and $489,600 in four starts. He arguably is the best Derby prospect to go out this late since A.P. Indy withdrew on race day in 1992.

"This has to be so disappointing for the owner and trainer," said Dr. Larry Bramlage, on-call veterinarian for the American Association of Equine Practitioners. "But this is the way to take care of a horse."

Bramlage said Buddha was "50 percent better but still lame" by 11 a.m. He said the injury could have occurred by stepping on a stone. Tests next week will determine Buddha's ability to train for a possible start in the Preakness on May 18.

The scratch almost ended jockey Pat Day's streak of consecutive Derbies at 18, but by 1 p.m. he replaced Corey Nakatani aboard Blue Burner, owned by George Steinbrenner. The move was made because Nakatani has a mild concussion after a fall Thursday at Hollywood Park and was advised not to fly.

"I did not want somebody to get taken off to give me the opportunity to ride," Day said. "But if Corey's not up to riding, I'm tickled pink to have the opportunity."

Buddha was in the 10th post, so the first gate will be vacant, with Johannesburg moving to the No. 2 spot and posts 3-9 also moving one gate to the right.

There are no additions once official entries are drawn.

Because of the reduction in field size, the winner's share of the purse drops $30,000 to $1.175-million.

WALK IT OFF: Harlan's Holiday trainer Ken McPeek hopes to ditch his crutches and walk to the paddock today. He's been using crutches and a golf cart to get around since breaking his ankle.

"I can walk a little ways but it gets stinging after a while. Maybe I can get my vet to give me some bute," he said, referring to a horse analgesic.

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