Rousanne stretches out for El Paso Times Handicap

Trainer Justin Evans is looking forward to running Rousanne over longer distances, so he’s grateful for the bit of added real estate she will pick up Sunday in the $50,000 El Paso Times Handicap at Sunland Park.

Rousanne is part of a nine-horse field for the El Paso Times, a 6 1/2-furlong race for 3-year-old fillies. Evans had entered Rousanne in the $100,000 Riley Allison that was to run Saturday at Sunland for its mile distance, but on Friday, he said she will go in the El Paso Times.

“We kind of liked the distance of the Riley Alison because I do want to stretch her out,” Evans said.

But he thinks the El Paso Times will set up well for the late-running Rousanne, and he also believes the field will be smaller than originally drawn with some of the horses in the El Paso Times entered back in an upcoming allowance at Sunland.

Evans said he would look at moving Rousanne to two turns for the next 3-year-old filly stakes at Sunland – the Island Fashion.

Key contenders

Rousanne (Last 3 Beyers: 53-40-56)

* She was third in a six-furlong allowance against males Jan. 4 at Sunland in her last start, with the race going in a quick 1:09.40.

“Her last race was a really good race,” Evans said. “She was closing on the end of it, and the further they went, the more ground she was making up. She really galloped out strong.”

* Glen Murphy has the mount on Rousanne, who was third in the Debutante last summer at Churchill Downs.

Freakin Amazing (Last 3 Beyers: 72-63-40)

* She won the Arizona Juvenile Fillies at Turf Paradise on Dec. 27 in her most recent start.

Jaycito sold to stand stud in Venezuela

Jaycito, a Grade 1 winner at 2 who had been based in New Mexico, has been sold to stand stud in Venezuela, said Evans. The deal was done about two months ago. Evans trained Jaycito for Tony Pennington, who purchased the horse at auction and won the Curribot Handicap with him last February at Sunland.

Jaycito is a career winner of 5 of 29 starts and $452,934. The son of Victory Gallop registered his biggest career win in the Norfolk in 2010.