Blue Point edges out the Americans in Dubai's Al Quoz Sprint

Declared a non-runner at the gate a year ago in the Group 1, $2 million Al Quoz Sprint, Godolphin’s Blue Point proved too good for America’s traveling turf sprinters on Saturday’s Dubai World Cup night card.

Under William Buick, the 5-year-old stormed down the center of the track to leave the Peter Miller-trained duo of Belvoir Bay and champion Stormy Liberal a close second and third, respectively.

The victory represented a double for trainer Charlie Appleby and jockey William Buick, who said Blue Point, off as the 3-5 favorite on the U.S. tote, “just traveled so well.” A race prior, the Melbourne Cup winner Cross Counter won the Dubai Gold Cup (G2).

"You never get too confident too soon, but I felt William had everything pretty much covered there, and it was only a matter of pressing the button," Appleby say.

The six-furlong Al Quoz Sprint, contested without a turn, also featured Glen Hill Farm’s Caribou Club, who did not factor late after breaking alertly.

Blue Point’s final time of 1:08.39 was a race record.

While without a victory in 10 runnings of the Al Quoz Sprint, U.S. runners have been competitive with five placings in the stakes' last three years.

Stormy Liberal, who went on to have an Eclipse Award-winning season in 2018 as top turf male, was second a year ago, too. The mare Belvoir Bay entered off back-to-back Santa Anita Park stakes wins.

“They were super runs, they both ran their races," Miller said of his duo. "I can’t complain about it. We just got beat by the home team, and that was probably the difference. I think maybe if the race was at Santa Anita we might have had the edge.

“All congratulations to Sheikh Mohammed and his team. Blue Point is a super horse and it was no disgrace finishing second and third to him. I’m very pleased we came over.  I’m hoping maybe I’ll see Blue Point in the Breeders’ Cup at Santa Anita. He can come and we’ve got a score to settle."