Shiny Nova has been installed as the 7-2 morning-line favorite for the $24,750 Evanston Stakes at Wyoming Downs on July 5.

© Hodges Photography

By Louanne Wainscott, StallioneSearch

EVANSTON, WY–JULY 4, 2026–Sunday afternoon at Wyoming Downs features an 11-race program, with first post at 1:05 p.m. The featured event is the $24,750 Evanston Stakes, in which a field of nine Quarter Horses, 3-year-olds and up, will sprint 300 yards in the fifth race at approximately 2:45 p.m.

Shiny Nova has been installed as the 7-2 morning-line favorite. The five-year-old gelding enters the stakes after his four-race winning streak was snapped in the 307HR Open Maturity Trial, where he encountered trouble before making a mild late bid. Before that setback, he opened his 2026 campaign with three consecutive victories, including wins over optional claiming company, the Allred Brothers Stakes, and the Turf Paradise Championship Challenge Stakes. The accomplished gelding has compiled 13 career victories and earned $171,688.

Owned and bred in Idaho by J. P. Samples, Shiny Nova is by Racy Casanova and out of the First To Shine mare Alltheshine. Tony Hyde trains the gelding, who will break from post three with Luis Cruz Ruiz aboard.

Jolie Laide is the 4-1 second choice on the morning line and brings strong graded stakes form into the race. The four-year-old mare exits a fourth-place finish in the Grade 1 Junos Request Stakes, where she was part of a four-horse photo finish and was beaten by just a neck. She entered that race off a determined neck victory over open allowance company. With six career wins, four runner-up finishes, and earnings of $190,362, she has consistently competed against quality competition.

Owned by Doug Ruby, the Oklahoma-bred mare is by Big Lew and out of the Jesse James Jr. mare Two Wines. James Kevin Goodnight conditions Jolie Laide, who will leave from post seven with Luis A. Valenzuela aboard.

The rest of the field adds depth to an evenly matched stakes field, setting the stage for one of the day's most competitive races. With proven stakes performers and accomplished sprinters lining up for the 300-yard dash, fans and bettors can expect a tightly contested finish in the $24,750 Evanston Stakes.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Would you like more industry news delivered directly to your inbox? Click here to sign up.