Gary Stevens accepts Breeders' Cup mount

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Arcadia, CA (SportsNetwork.com) - Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens will mark his return to race riding in next week's Breeders' Cup at Santa Anita. The rider announced Thursday he will be aboard Sivoliere in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf on Friday, Oct. 31.

"It was something that I knew I would need to do eventually. I just put it off until I had to deal with it," Stevens stated. "I always hoped I would be able to ride in the Breeders' Cup this year, but I knew that I wasn't going to do it unless I was 110 percent. I'm so grateful to have owners and trainers that believe in me."

The 51-year-old Stevens had knee replacement surgery on July 25.

"Nothing can top the Breeders' Cup I had last year. But being able to go out there and ride at the highest level, for great people only 3 months after having a new knee put in, well it's right up there," Stevens said.

Last year, Stevens won the Preakness Stakes with Oxbow and the Breeders' Cup Classic aboard Mucho Macho Man. He has 4,988 wins and $236,951,490 in career earnings.