Sunland Park: Evans rides wave of success into Bold Ego

Trainer Justin Evans is nearing the end of what has been his best year. As of Thursday, he ranked eighth among all North American trainers in wins and will seek to add another Saturday, when he sends out Wine Thief and Warrens Venedalucy in the $50,000 Bold Ego Handicap at Sunland Park.

The Bold Ego is a 5 1/2-furlong race for fillies and mares. The field of eight includes Winter Book, winner of 5 of 7 starts, and Crafty Contessa, who has gone 5 for 9 in 2013.

Wine Thief will start as the 122-pound highweight. She is chasing her fourth straight win in a streak punctuated by a victory in the $55,000 Zia Distaff on Nov. 27. Wine Thief rolled home by four lengths under jockey Ry Eikleberry.

“The race the other day in the Zia Distaff, she was poised to pounce, and when Ry pushed the button, she just exploded,” Evans said. “Really, it was her breakout race.”

Warrens Venedalucy won a $40,000 optional claimer over 6 1/2 furlongs at Zia in her last start Nov. 6.

“She’s shortening up, but she’ll show speed,” Evans said.

Warrens Venedalucy could get a tracking trip off of Winter Book, who will break to her inside. Wine Thief could settle into a stalking position Saturday.

“Both drew good spots outside,” Evans said.

Evans through Wednesday had won 179 races from 769 starters this year and had stable earnings of $2,532,149. The numbers eclipse his 2012 season, when he won 163 races and had stable earnings of $2.4 million.

“It’s been my best year ever,” Evans said. “It’s been awesome.”

Evans, 32, is the defending training champ at Sunland, and he is coming off the training title at Zia.

Jaycito points to Sunland Handicap

Jaycito, a Grade 1 winner at 2, finished fourth Tuesday in an optional claimer at Sunland in his comeback from a near-six-month layoff. The start was his first for Evans and owner Tony Pennington after being purchased for $50,000 out of a Fasig-Tipton Kentucky auction in July. Evans said the meet objective for Jaycito is the $75,000 Sunland Park Handicap on April 13.

Before that race, Jaycito will be considered for the $50,000 Winsham Lad Handicap at Sunland on Jan. 5, but is more likely for the $50,000 Curribot on Feb. 9, Evans said. He noted the horse lost a front shoe in the race Tuesday.

◗ Homerun Berti, who won his third straight race in the $50,000 KLAQ at Sunland on Dec. 13, has a meet goal of the $75,000 Bill Thomas Memorial on the Sunland Derby undercard March 23, Evans said. His schedule could include the Phoenix Gold Cup at Turf Paradise.

“Growing up in Phoenix, it’s a race I always wanted to try and win,” Evans said.