Quotes On Buddha's Scratch From Kentucky Derby 128

Quotes from the Press Conference Friday morning where it was announced Buddha would scratch from the 128th Kentucky Derby. Speaking was H. James Bond, trainer of Buddha, and Dr. Larry Bramlage, On-Call Veterinarian for the American Association of Equine Practioners.

BOND - "The horse (Buddha) came out of his stall this morning right before 5 a.m. and he was off in his left front leg. Our preliminary looks shows more of a foot, possibly a bruised foot right now. We're going to do what's best in the interest of the horse and wait for another day. It's very disappointing for my clients and myself but Buddha will have another day."

BRAMLAGE - "Doctor Reed (Dr. Ken Reed) is his primary care veterinarian and he's looked at him and I looked in on him this morning. I can't add much to what Mr. Bond had said other than it's time to find the right diagnosis and it's got to be so disappointing to his connections, but this is the right way to take care of a horse. We'll get the diagnosis and we'll go on for another day. It's too bad he's only three once."

Q: There was no indication of a problem until this morning?

BOND - "No. Nothing in the work or the gallop."

Q: Is the injury serious enough to keep him out of the Preakness?

BOND - "Right now, you have to see what happens. Right now, it's very unlikely. I always said if there's a bump we wouldn't do it and there's a bump in the road. The timing is terrible."

BRAMLAGE - "Unfortunately you don't have time to do anything significant and still get him ready for tomorrow morning. All we know right now and it's been about two hours. All that we know is that he's protecting that foot. And exactly what it is we'll have to have radiographs and have to determine the site of the tenderness. He can't point to where it hurts."

BOND - "I always said I wouldn't come to the Derby unless I had horse that could really run. I thought this was special; I thought this horse was going to be the horse. This is tough."

Q: What happens next. Where will the horse go?

BOND - "Dr. Bramlage and Dr. Reed will find out what the problem really is and try to do what's best for the horse. Hopefully we'll be back someday."

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