An early strike for the Europeans at the Breeders' Cup at Santa Anita with the Blue Point (IRE) colt Big Evs leading home a 1-2-3 finish for the internationals in the $1 million Group 1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint.
Ridden by Tom Marquand for Mick Appleby, Big Evs sat off the pace set by Crimson Advocate. Tacking over halfway down the straight, Big Evs held the challenge of the Group II Norfolk Stakes winner Valiant Force (Malibu Moon), who came with a sweeping run from the tail of the field to finish a half-length short.
Zoustar's Group III Sirenia Stakes winner Starlust was three-quarters of a length back in third under Frankie Dettori.
It was the fourth win in six starts for Big Evs, whose only failure came when taking on his elders in the Group 1 Nunthorpe Stakes at York.
The winner of the Listed Windsor Castle at Royal Ascot and the Group III Molecomb at Glorious Goodwood, Big Evs was coming off a two and three-quarter length romp in the Group II Flying Childers at Doncaster on September 15.
Winning owner Paul Teasdale said the son of Blue Point was named in honour of his friend Paul Evans, who died a year ago.
"It just seemed a natural thing to call him Big Evs," Teasdale told Blood-Horse.
"Paul Evans was a personal friend of 40 years, and we went racing for 25 years together. We really wanted him to be a great horse in memory of Paul to keep his name alive for him and his family."
Marquand said he had concerns about the speed of the race and the tight turning track.
"English gate speed is very different from American gate speed, and we were just hoping he'd be fast enough out here," he said.
"I think he's tough as well. He had that speed today. He did break a half-length slower than a couple of them."
A 50,000gns purchase for Michael Cleere from the Houghton Bloodstock consignment at the 2022 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale. Big Evs was purchased privately in March.
Bred by Rabbah Bloodstock, Big Evs is from the Oasis Dream mare Hana Lina a half-sister to Group II Ascot Diadem Stakes and Group II York Lowther Stakes winner Lady Of The Desert (Rahy) who was second in the Group 1 Haydock Sprint Cup and Group 1 Prix del'Abbaye de Longchamp, and third in the Group 1 Newmarket Cheveley Park Stakes.
Lady of The Desert's daughter, Queen Kindly (Frankel), emulated her dam when winning the Lowther Stakes in 2016. Queen Kindly's daughter, Queen Me (Dubawi), came within a neck of making it an extraordinary three-peat last year.
The two-time King Stand Stakes winner Blue Point is covering his fourth book of mares at Darley Stud's Victorian base at Northwood Park for $44,000. He will return home to Kildangan Stud with a fee increase from €35,000 to €60,000 in 2024.
