Injured Buddha pulls out; Derby down to 19 starters

Associated Press

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Buddha hung his head. So did trainer Jim Bond.

The handsome gray colt, one of the favorites for today's Kentucky Derby, was scratched with a bruised foot on the eve of the race and sadness replaced excitement at Barn 48.

"I always said if there was a bump we wouldn't do it, and there's a bump in the road," said a despondent Bond, who had hoped to saddle his first Derby starter. "It's very disappointing for my clients and myself, but Buddha will have another day,"

The Wood Memorial winner was the 5-1 co-second choice with Came Home on the morning line. Bond decided to pull out of the race after arriving at the barn and seeing his colt favoring his left front foot.

The scratch reminded fans of the shock of Derby favorite A.P. Indy being removed from the field because of injury on race day, 1992.

Despite Buddha's departure, the Derby remains wide-open with 19 3-year-olds running for the roses.

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