Terribly Great 2's: Amarish

While colts and fillies fetch glossy prices, it is not often that you see a 2 year old gelding sold for $200,000. But that's exactly the price owner Jerry Durante paid for the precocious Amarish, at the Ocala Breeders' March Juvenile Sale. With a red X through any breeding aspirations, the bay was purchased with races in mind; races like the 5 1/2 furlong, $100,000 William Proctor Memorial... which today, Amarish won.

Having triumphed by 7 lengths in his lone career start in a time just fractions off the Hollywood Park track record for 4 1/2 furlongs, Amarish was sent off as the clear-cut favorite. As the gelding paraded the grounds of his initial victory, heads nodded... he looked the part.

Amarish was fitted into slot 6, and the gates burst open. The rest was routine; the gelding wrestled the restraint of jockey Edwin Maldonado, who pinned him snugly in stalking position up until the turn, where he  smiled and waved goodbye to the six unworthy rivals. Amarish burst away from the field - and if a horse could grin, he would've. The gelding remained undefeated in a 5 length romp.

As an avid follower of the 2 year old division, I am licking my lips in anticipation for whatever this kid may bring. His pedigree, while weak on the sire line, shows some promise on the maternal side.

Amarish's sire, Scat Daddy, flourished with limited ground to cover. He placed 18th in the 2007 Kentucky Derby, following victory in the 1 1/8 mile Florida Derby. Two sons of Scat Daddy, Daddy Long Legs and Daddy Nose Best, raced in this year's Kentucky Derby. They, too, showed a need for less track, finishing a dull 10th and 20th. Amarish's grandsire, Johannesburg, is known for being a sprint influence. He himself placed 8th in the 2002 Kentucky Derby. Johannesburg is sired by Hennessy, who won 4 of his first 5 starts before failing to triumph again.

Amarish's broodmare sire, however, is the great Awesome Again: a 10 furlong winner on multiple occasions, including the Breeders' Cup Classic. Awesome Again is sired by Deputy Minister, an "awesome" distance influence. Deputy Minister is the damsire of Belmont winners Jazil, Sarava, and Rags to Riches; he is also the sire of Mane Minister, Go For Wand, and Touch Gold, among other champions.

Although his capability of stretching out is certainly a debatable topic, I tout Amarish as one of the top 2 year olds to be eyeing in the coming months of 2012. Whether or not he can go the distance, this gelding is sure to provide thrills, chills, and a bottle full of hope!