Stormy Liberal, Conquest Tsunami hit the board in Al Quoz Sprint

Saturday's Group 1, $1 million Al Quoz Sprint was well represented by American horses on the Dubai World Cup 2018 undercard.

Run at 1,200 meters (about six furlongs) straight on Meydan’s turf course, the one-two finishers of the 2017 Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint, Stormy Liberal and Richard’s Boy, led the way. Their Peter Miller stablemate Conquest Tsunami joined them, as well as the Mark Casse-trained Holding Gold.

The four Americans broke in the middle of the course. Conquest Tsunami, who beat Stormy Liberal in the Grade 3 Daytona Stakes last out, was near the lead. Richard’s Boy settled behind Conquest Tsunami, Stormy Liberal was on the far side of the grandstand and Holding Gold, a Grade 2 winner, was behind horses.

With about 200 meters left, the field spread out and Godolphin’s Jungle Cat loomed up beside Conquest Tsunami. Stormy Liberal found plenty of running room and put in a bid, but it was Jungle Cat to get up for the win. The time was 1:09.37.

Stormy Liberal was a game second and Conquest Tsunami held for third. Richard’s Boy finished in sixth and Holding Gold was seventh.

“All three ran great,” Miller said of his horses. “I couldn’t be happier. As for Story Liberal, it was great to see him run to form. He just got beat.”

Joel Rosario, the jockey aboard Stormy Liberal, speculated what could have happened had they not been on the far side.

“I thought I might go by when we came into the last 200m but the winner was too tough,” Rosario said. “We raced away from the others, and maybe my horse might have done a little better with some company, but he’s still run a very good race.”

Victor Espinoza, who rode Conquest Tsunami, added, “I had a good run. I wanted to wait for as long as possible, but it was impossible. He ran pretty good. He ran an amazing race.”