Amundson heads New York string for DePaz

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – The Maryland-based trainer Horacio DePaz has brought a small string of horses – all New York breds – to Belmont where he hopes to expand his presence as the year moves along.

Amundson, a gelding by Curlin, is the best of the quartet for DePaz. A two-time allowance winner at Belmont in the fall, Amundson was entered Friday for Monday’s $100,000 Hollie Hughes Stakes for New York-breds at six furlongs.

DePaz said he wanted to look over the race before deciding whether Amundson would run. Amundson has not raced since finishing last of six in the City of Laurel Stakes at Laurel on Nov. 30. In that race, Amundson may have regressed off the career-best 92 Beyer Speed Figure he earned winning an Oct. 18 allowance at Belmont by 8 3/4 lengths.

“He was doing well, but the way he ran was pretty impressive,” DePaz said. “That was a pretty solid field, too. We always thought he had talent. He likes Belmont, that’s for sure.”

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Amundson has run once at Aqueduct, finishing eighth in his career debut last January as part of a 3-5 favored entry along with Dr. Lloyd, who won the race. DePaz said Amundson didn’t handle the ship up from Maryland very well. Amundson was gelded after that race and came off the bench with a 10 1/4-length maiden victory at Delaware Park in June.

Among DePaz’s other New York-based horses is the 3-year-old filly Sharp Starr, who was entered to make her second start in Saturday’s fourth race. She finished a wide third in her debut here last month.

DePaz also has Winners Laugh, a 3-year-old unraced half-brother to Amundson who just shipped in from the farm, and Whispering Rose, a 3-year-old filly by Afleet Alex who finished last, 17 lengths behind Finite, on turf at Kentucky Downs in her debut.

DePaz said he still has a 10-horse string in Maryland but is hoping to establish a stable in New York.

“I’ll keep horses here, try to pick up some 2-year-olds and pick up some horses,” he said.

◗ Amundson was one of eight horses entered in the Hollie Hughes. The race also drew defending Hollie Hughes winner My Boy Tate, Say Florida Sandy Stakes winner Arthur’s Hope, Binkster, Cerretalto, Eye Luv Lulu, Morning Breez, and P J Advantage.