Profiles from the Horse Racing Nation: Justin Evans

Trainer's Tales Profiles series began with a look at the career of one of racing’s characters from yesteryear. In this edition, we will focus on an up and comer in the sport. While many racing fans might recognize the 2014 top two trainers by winners, Steve Asmussen, and Karl Broberg, how many have heard of the third name on that list, Justin Evans? It is my honor to introduce HRN readers to Justin, along with wife Vanesa, and son Austin, in this month’s edition.

Much as I did, Justin gained the skills that he applies to his training today, at the smaller racing venues of America. In Justin’s case, his life in racing began at Prescott Downs in Prescott, Arizona. For those unfamiliar with Arizona, Prescott is an old mining community located a short drive to the northwest of Phoenix.

Although the track closed in 2000 and moved to a larger Yavapai Downs nearby, several good trainers have run their horses there over the years, including Bob Baffert.

As a child, Justin made the track home from the time he could walk. He was an owner on record there, at three years of age. Until he was eighteen, Justin worked with his folks, who were themselves training horses at Yavapai.

At that point, Justin struck out on his own, taking a small string of horses to Turf Paradise. While there he acquired tutelage from notable horsemen in their accord, Darrell Alvey (TB) and Owen McDaniel’s (QH).

It would seem those old boys taught Justin well, and in the years since branching out on his own, Justin has been steadily adding to his list of accomplishments. As well as finishing third in races won in 2014, his barn was eighth in that category in 2012-2013. In total, Justin has achieved no less than twelve leading trainer titles.

Justin puts particular emphasis on a few of the goals That he has met to this point of his career. Included are his first training title at Yavapai Downs, and his Claiming Crown victory at Canterbury Park with Eagle Storm (FL), Stormy Atlantic-My Shy Gal by Malagra. In addition, his first training title at Sunland, “Because it was such a hard track to break into, and the first major track to win a title at.”

Other horses of merit that have competed for the Evans Stable are:

Our Choice (NM), Desert God- Neat Choice, by First Draft Choice

McKenna’s Justice (KY), Medaglia d’Oro-Regretfully, by Lit de Justice

African Rose (FL), Bwana Charlie-Darby Rose, by Red Bullet

Our Choice (NM) was a $25,000 claimer that went on to earn $239,000 and was the stable's first significant stakes performer. McKenna’s Justice (KY) took Justin’s richest race to date, the Zia Park Distance Championship. African Rose (FL) began her career in the barn and was twice named New Mexico’s top older female with current earnings of $353,656.

Another horse making a scene for the Evans Stable is Rebranded (KY) (Tiznow-Bayou Breeze, by AP Indy). This colt captured the Ruidoso and Colorado Derbies in 2014, and was victorious when recently making his initial start against aged males.

Justin shares his success with several other members of the team, foremost, wife Vanessa who raises their two-year-old son Austin while taking care of everything behind the scenes, and both can be found at the races daily.

The stable's barn personnel take pride in their work, and they are a huge part in the overall success that Justin enjoys. Another person contributing to the stables +30% winners is rider Ry Eikleberry, whom Justin claims, "Always gives 110% efforts to every horse he climbs aboard.”  

Finally, no barn is complete without actively participating owners.

“Tom and Sandy McKenna and Judge Lanier have been giant as clients for the Evans team, keeping the barn full of horses year-round," said Evans. "A new group to the outfit is Teed off Stable, already adding quality horses to the stable. Also Tony Pennington, Jackie, and Sylvia all continue to impress with their repeated contributions of quality stock. They dominate the claim box, and we are blessed with clients that trust me to do my job, and provide me the horses necessary to be successful.”

Much like any trainer in this sport, Justin aspires to win a Kentucky Derby someday. In addition, winning a Breeders’ Cup Championship.

For now, the family’s plans are to remain at their home in New Mexico. However, a move to Southern California may be considered when son, Austin is of age to begin school.

Great job thus far, Evans Racing!