Buddha Gallops, Puts Unblemished Record On Line In Wood
By, Jenny Kellner

OZONE PARK, N.Y. (April 12, 2002) -- Kentucky Derby (GI) hopeful Buddha, trying to remain undefeated this year when he faces seven other 3-year-olds in the $750,000 Wood Memorial (G1) at Aqueduct, galloped 1 1/2-miles Friday (Apr. 12) morning in preparation for the race.

"I'm still smiling, so that means everything is fine," said trainer H. James Bond, whose colt drew the rail under Pat Day. "He's got speed if he needs it. It's all up to Pat now. My hands are tied."

Wood favorite Medaglia d’Oro galloped on Apr. 12, as did second choice Saarland. Also starting in the Wood, which has produced the past two Kentucky Derby winners in Fusaichi Pegasus (2000) and Monarchos (2001) are Blue Burner, Iwin, Laissezaller, Nokoma, and Sunday Break.

The 1 1/8th-mile race goes off at 4:15 p.m. EDT and is part of the "Big 3 Pick 3" along with the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (GI) and the Arkansas Derby (GII).

"The post position is fine," Hall of Fame trainer Bobby Frankel said of Medaglia d’Oro, who drew post four. "I don't think he needs to be on the lead. After the way he came back in (the Grade II San Felipe), I would think he can rate nicely."

Like Frankel, Shug McGaughey was pleased with the way Saarland raced in his last start -- the Gotham Stakes (GIII), in which he was second -- and the way he is prepping for the Wood.

“He has such a great attitude," said McGaughey, who added Saarland's post position of seven in the eight-horse field is fine with him. "He wants to run and that makes him very easy to train and be around. He has trained well and has been more aggressive in his works, and that has shown me that he is ready to run."

Nokoma, beaten 28 lengths in the Florida Derby, will start the Wood wearing blinkers for the first time.

"Blinkers should put him into the race," said trainer Todd Pletcher. "There's speed in the race, but not an overwhelming amount. I would imagine he should be in the first tier of horses."

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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