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| Staff Writer |
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Big Evs is heading back to California with aspirations of joining an elite club as the 3YO seeks to emulate Golden Pal's remarkable achievement of winning the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint both as a juvenile and against older horses.
Trained by Yorkshire-born Mick Appleby, Big Evs broke his handler's Royal Ascot hoodoo during an exceptional juvenile campaign before claiming Breeders' Cup glory at Santa Anita. The son of Blue Point, owned by Paul and Rachael Teasdale's RP Racing, returns to America attempting to cement his legacy at Del Mar on November 1-2.
"He's a once in a lifetime horse and a lot of trainers dream of having a horse like this," said Appleby, who had turned down substantial offers for the colt named after friend Paul Evans, who passed away in 2022.
The journey to California represents a significant milestone for the Teasdales, who made the brave decision to retain ownership despite lucrative offers. "We got there late, we only got there on Thursday and his race was on Friday. We arrived about an hour before the Breeders' Cup launch party," Paul Teasdale recalled of their previous triumph. "When we went on Friday it was a brand new experience, we didn't know what to expect. They looked after us enormously well, they are great people and very friendly, but it was slightly overwhelming at times."
Golden Pal, trained by Wesley Ward, remains the only horse to achieve this remarkable double, having triumphed at Keeneland in 2020 before succeeding at Del Mar the following year. Appleby sees similar traits in his charge: "He's so quick and he's not the biggest, so he can nip round that bend and with his natural speed, America just seems to suit him."
Into Mischief heads the sire standings with eight pre-entered runners across various divisions. The Spendthrift Farm stallion, commanding a US$250,000 stud fee for 2025, looks to add to his impressive US$9.28 million Breeders' Cup earnings through candidates including Pyrenees and Newgate in the US$7 million Gr.1 Classic.
His contingent spans both dirt and turf disciplines, showcasing remarkable versatility. Gina Romantica, fresh from defending her Gr.1 First Lady Stakes crown, will challenge males in the Gr.1 Mile, aiming to improve upon last year's fourth-place finish. Among the juveniles, Citizen Bull enters the Gr.1 Juvenile following victory in the Gr.1 American Pharoah Stakes.
Not This Time, standing at Taylor Made Stallions for US$175,000, follows with seven entries, including Gr.1 Turf Sprint favourite Cogburn. Meanwhile, Curlin, whose progeny have garnered eight Breeders' Cup victories, fields five runners including defending Gr.1 Distaff champion Idiomatic.
Marathon specialist Next has been confirmed for the Classic following a five-furlong breeze in 1:01 at Turfway Park. Though pre-entered in both Classic and Turf, connections are favouring the dirt challenge for the gelding who has won nine of his last ten starts.
Among the juveniles, Totally Justified is set for the Fillies Turf after working four furlongs in :50 2/5 at Keeneland. Quickick takes an unconventional approach in the Juvenile Fillies division, likely skipping her final pre-race workout, while rival Nooni impressed with a sharp five-furlong move in :59 1/5 at Santa Anita.
The championships have launched careers of numerous legends, including American Pharoah, who claimed the 2015 Juvenile en route to Triple Crown glory, and Flightline, whose spectacular 2022 Classic victory crowned an unbeaten career. Other notable winners include Zenyatta, who made history in 2009 as the first female to win the Classic, and Goldikova, who captured an unprecedented three consecutive Miles (2008-2010).
The historic Del Mar racetrack, nestled along the Pacific coast, hosts the championships for the third time, having previously staged the event in 2017 and 2021. The venue's unique atmosphere and testing conditions have produced memorable moments, including Knicks Go's front-running Classic victory in 2021.
For the Teasdale team, the return to America carries added significance with promising juvenile Big Mojo also making the journey. However, all eyes will be on their stable star's final career start. "It would mean everything for him to go back there and win again," Teasdale reflected. "It would be a fantastic way for him to sign off and say 'look who I am and how good I am'. He's proved everyone wrong and has trained on really well this year. He won a nice Group Two at Goodwood, was third in the King Charles at Royal Ascot and we look forward to going back to the Breeders' Cup, which will hopefully suit him."
The two-day championship meeting, featuring purses totalling more than US$31 million, continues to attract the world's finest thoroughbreds, cementing its position as the definitive end-of-season championship event in global racing.