Zia Park: Evans going after three stakes on Oaks card

Justin Evans, the runaway leader in the trainer standings at Zia Park in Hobbs, N.M., will be out in full force Sunday when Zia Park puts on an 11-race Thoroughbred card led by the $300,000 Zia Park Oaks. Evans has nine starters on the program, including representatives in three of the five stakes. The stakes are worth a combined $845,000.

Evans has Lady of Luck in the 1 1/16-mile Oaks. She missed by a neck in a second-level allowance at Zia on Oct. 19.

“She ran a really good race and seems to be improving by big strides every time we lead her up there,” Evans said.

In the $150,000 Zia Park Distance Championship, Evans will send out two starters, including recent auction purchase Jaycito, a Grade 1 winner at 2 who is now 5. The race will be Jaycito’s first since finishing fifth in a $62,500 optional claimer at Betfair Hollywood Park on July 7.

“We were trying to get a prep race for him, but we got a little bit behind the eight ball,” Evans said. “He has been training really well coming into the race.”

Key Decision also goes after being claimed for $32,000 at Santa Anita. The barn’s other stakes starters are Warrens Venedalucy and Wine Thief in the $55,000 Distaff.