Big Evs broke prominently and powered his way to a half-length victory in Friday’s $920,00 Juvenile Turf Sprint (G1), striking for the international contingent in the first of 14 Breeders’ Cup races at Santa Anita over two days.

International participation during Breeders’ Cup Friday has come up strong. Horses representing England, Ireland, France, and Japan are among the entries.

In his final season of riding at Royal Ascot, legendary jockey Frankie Dettori picked up a ninth victory in Thursday’s 2 1/2-mile Gold Cup (G1), guiding the lightly raced Courage Mon Ami to an 8-1 upset.