This just in from Tom Armstrong, who created the (sadly defunct but great) site Buddhawatch. (The story recounted in the following first paragraph is, of course, the story from which TheWorstHorse.net got its name. The following is actually from the Buddhawatch site, and it’s an honor to reproduce it here.)

“The Buddha said that there is one fundamental truth we all must come to terms with in our lives: the truth of impermanence. He said some people realize it immediately upon hearing of the death of a stranger far away. These people, he said, are like a racehorse who runs having seen the mere shadow of a whip. Others realize it only when someone they know dies; they are like the horse who runs when the whip touches its hair. Others realize it only when someone they love is dying; they are like a horse that needs the whip to cut into its flesh. And finally, some of us will only come to terms with death on our own deathbed – like a horse who won’t run until the whip cuts through flesh all the way down to the bone.

This from the www.sgi-usa.org website, page titled “On Persecutions Befalling the Buddha”:

… Shakyamuni Buddha suffered innumerable persecutions: For ninety days he was forced to eat horse fodder; a huge boulder was dropped on him, and though it missed him, his foot was injured and bled; …

From ESPN’s website, approx date 5/3/02 …

His speed and courage down the stretch in the Wood Memorial transformed him into a national figure and one of the early favorites for the Kentucky Derby. Many handicappers thought Buddha’s talent might overcome his inexperience in The Great Race, but they’ll never find out.

Buddha was scratched Friday morning.

Trainer Jim Bond announced early Friday morning that he had scratched the gray son of Unbridled’s Song from Saturday’s Derby because of an injured left foot.

“The horse came out of his stall this morning right before 5 o’clock and he was off in his left front leg,” Bond said. “Our preliminary look 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.”

Buddha’s injury kept him out of not only the Kentucky Derby, but the Preakness and Belmont Stakes, as well, meaning this Buddha missed out on all three jewels … of the Triple Crown.

Can’t thank you enough for sending this one, Tom. It made our day.