Sunland: Warrens Venedalucy outruns favored stablemate Wine Thief in Bold Ego

Trainer Justin Evans is off to such a great start at Sunland Park’s meet that even when his 6-5 favorite Wine Thief failed in her bid for her fourth consecutive victory, Evans still walked into the winner’s circle with her stablemate, Warrens Venedalucy.

The 4-year-old Warrens Venedalucy ($12.40), coming out of a series of longer races, handled the cutback to 5 1/2 furlongs to win Saturday’s $50,000 Bold Ego Handicap for fillies and mares. Crafty Contessa, the 2-1 second choice, set the pace and battled with Warrens Venedalucy through most of the stretch, before settling for second, beaten about a length. Wine Thief rallied to get third.

Ridden for the first time by Alfredo Juarez Jr., Warrens Venedalucy completed the distance in 1:03.74 for her third win in 10 starts this season and her fifth win in 22 lifetime starts. Evans, the leading trainer at the recently concluded meet at Zia Park, came into Saturday’s program with 13 wins in 32 starts (41 percent) at Sunland.