Mick Appleby Aims for Double Triumph at Breeders’ Cup

Mick Appleby is optimistic about Big Evs' chances as he seeks to secure consecutive Breeders’ Cup victories despite facing a challenging post position. The talented sprinter, son of Blue Point, triumphed in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint at Santa Anita last year. Returning to California for the final race of his career, he has drawn stall 11, adjacent to Archie Watson’s speedy Bradsell in stall 12. Appleby acknowledges the need for Big Evs to leverage his natural speed to navigate the race successfully.

“We would have preferred a draw between four and five,” Appleby said to Sky Sports Racing. “But he has excellent gate speed, and we hope he can start quickly and secure a good position going into the bend.” He identifies Steven Asmussen's Cogburn as a primary contender but emphasises that all competitors pose a threat at this elite level, where luck can play a pivotal role.

Appleby also intends to saddle Big Mojo, who shares the same owners as Big Evs, hoping to replicate his predecessor's success in the Juvenile Turf Sprint. Well-drawn in stall three, Big Mojo offers a contrasting racing style and aims for victory against rival Aesterius with whom he's had a fiercely competitive match-up at home. “We believe both horses have strong chances, and we’re just hoping for favourable conditions on race day,” Appleby added.