Buddha retired with injury

Buddha, winner of the Grade 1 Wood Memorial in April, has been retired because of a torn muscle in his right hind gluteal area, trainer James Bond said Tuesday.

Bond said it was the same tear that first surfaced in July and prevented Buddha from running in the Jim Dandy.

"It must not have healed properly," Bond said. "We could give him more time and more time, but it didn't seem like it was the right thing to do. We felt it was in his best interests to retire him."

There are no stud plans as of yet for Buddha, who is owned by Gary and Mary West.

Buddha, a son of Unbridled's Song, has had a star-crossed career. After finishing 10th in his only start at 2, Buddha underwent epiglottal surgery. He was turned over to Bond in late December and reeled off three consecutive victories this year, including a head decision over Medaglia d'Oro in the Wood at Aqueduct.

He was one of the morning-line choices for the Kentucky Derby, but was withdrawn from the race the day before with a bruised left front foot. While prepping for a return in the Dwyer Stakes in July, Buddha got sick and missed that race as well. He ends his career with three wins from four starts and earnings of $489,600.

"It hurts because he was one of the best I ever trained," Bond said. "Untapped potential. Just a horse with so much talent, he was scary."