A Case of You Makes His Case in Al Quoz Sprint

A Case of You  could only manage a fifth-place finish in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1T) at Del Mar in November, trainer Adrian McGuinness judging that five-furlong distance was a bit too short.

He was proved right as A Case of You edged clear in the final furlong going about six furlongs in the Al Quoz Sprint Sponsored by Azizi Developments (G1T) March 26 at Meydan Racecourse, handling a tough field that included some of Godolphin's sprint stars.

Jockey Ronan Whelan took full advantage of a draw that put him right on the inside rail from the start of the race, going straight down the Meydan turf chute. Improving with each stride, A Case of You got to the front inside the 200-meters mark and ran on to win by 1 1/4 lengths.

Happy Romance , a 4-year-old Dandy Man  filly, found a late burst of speed to get up for second, relegating Godolphin's Man of Promise  into third. In the local prep for the Al Quoz, Man of Promise was a 4 3/4-lengths winner with A Case of You second.

The American contingent made little impression on Al Quoz with Casa Creed  finishing fifth with Luis Saez up for trainer Bill Mott and Get Smokin  fading to finish last for Flavien Prat and trainer Mark Casse.

"I thought I might have committed too early," Whelan said, bringing a sweat-soaked winner back to the winner's enclosure.

"Halfway, I knew he'd stay the trip well. We had the rail and I didn't want to be giving it away. He came on so much from the prep run on Super Saturday. Having that experience stood to him and he improved so much from it."

A Case of You came to 2021 Breeders' Cup off an impressive victory over heavy ground in the Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp Longines (G1) at Longchamp Oct. 3. He easily won a prep race on the all-weather in Ireland in February before hopping a flight to Dubai.

Bred by Limestone and Tara Studs in Ireland, A Case of You could not meet a 3,000-Euro reserve at the Goffs Sportsman's Sale as a yearling. He was put into training with John McConnell before selling privately to the McGuiness stable

As to plans for the rest of the season and a year-end target, McGuinness said, "Breeders' Cup. Definitely."

This year's Breeders' Cup is at Keeneland in Kentucky.

"He's a very, very good horse," McGuinness said. "We might get some credit now. People said it was a weak Abbaye he won but one thing is for sure—it wasn't a weak race today. He's only four and he'll only get better. I think he'll win another group 1 this year and the long-term target at the end of the year will be back at the Breeders' Cup."

Godolphin came into the race with solid chances to sweep the placings. William Buick, with his choice of the lot, accurately selected Man of Promise, who did the best of the group. Frankie Dettori took the mount on Naval Crown , finishing fourth. Creative Force , coming off a long layoff, reported 14th.

"He ran very well," Buick said of Man of Promise. "I think that's a career best really on form. I know he was really impressive last time but obviously the winner has come on for the last run but I was very happy with him all the way really."