Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino
Sunday, March 12, 2017
by Eric Alwan
Leading trainer Justin Evans explodes with 4 winners on Sunday
Justin Evans, a 4-time Sunland Park trainer champion, exploded with 4 winners on Sunday’s 9-race card.
With dead aim on his fifth consecutive Sunland Park leading trainer’s title, Evans got off to a good start on Sunday winning the first race with the 1-5 favorite Alumni and jockey Elvin Gonzalez going four and one-half furlongs.
Evans earned his second win in the 3rd race with Myheartsinthecity ridden by Ameth Gonzalez. The wire to wire winner paid $4.40.
In the 4th race going one mile, Evans hit pay dirt for the third time as the prohibitive favorite May Weather (1-2 odds) repelled all challengers with Elvin Gonzalez in the irons.
The Tizzler wrapped up a great day for the Evans barn winning the 7th race at six and one-half furlongs. Miguel Perez rode the even money favorite to victory with a front running attack.
In total this season, Evans has won 35 races from 126 starters. His horses have earned over $630,000 in the first 51 days of the Sunland Park meet. Evans is 12 winners in front of Henry Dominguez in the Thoroughbred Trainer standings.
Live racing resumes on Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. A 9-race all-Thoroughbred card is planned. The $85,000 New Mexico State University Handicap at one mile an 70 yards happens on Saturday, March 18. Albert Dominguez Memorial winner Weather Dodger tackles the very sharp Hit a Lick and an excellent supporting cast.
Sunland Park’s biggest day happens on Sunday, March 26. The $800,000 Sunland Derby (Gr. III) and the $200,000 Sunland Park Oaks headline a stakes filled program worth over $1.5 million. The winner of the Sunland Derby (Gr. III) earns 50 qualifying points to the Kentucky Derby.
Photo courtesy of: Coady Photography
