Hollywood Park: Debut winner Amarish earns stakes shot

Amarish is bound for a juvenile stakes in coming months after an impressive win in Saturday’s second race, his career debut, at Hollywood Park.

Trained by Jeff Bonde for Jerry Durant, Amarish led throughout 4 1/2 furlongs, winning by 7 3/4 lengths under jockey Edwin Maldonado.

Amarish was timed in 50.98 seconds, not far off of Southern Fireball’s 2009 track record of 50.67 seconds.

“I could have broken the track record, but they don’t pay extra for that,” Maldonado said. “He galloped out very strongly.”

Bonde said on Sunday that Amarish, by Scat Daddy, will be pointed to the $100,000 Willard Proctor Memorial Stakes over 5 1/2 furlongs on June 16 or the $200,000 Hollywood Juvenile Championship over six furlongs on July 14.

“It depends on the horse, but he’ll be in one of them,” Bonde said.

Amarish was purchased at the Ocala Breeders’ Sale of 2-year-olds in-training in March for $200,000.