Alex and JoAnn Lieblong’s homebred turf sprinter Reef Runner (USA) is set to make a splash in Saturday’s Group 2 USD£2million 1351 Turf Sprint Presented by Qiddiya City, showcasing the kind of form that has marked him as one of America’s most consistent sprinters. Florida-based trainer David Fawkes, making his first venture into the GCC racing scene, has brought his charge in top condition and ready for the challenge.
Fawkes, whose training résumé boasts G1 Breeders’ Cup Sprint winner Big Drama (USA), triple G1 winner Sheer Drama (USA), and dual G1 winner Take D’ Tour (USA), believes Reef Runner has the tools to excel over the 1351m distance. “I’m confident he’s got his A-game coming,” Fawkes said. “He really closes and tries hard every time, so hopefully it’s good enough.”
Boasting seven wins, five seconds, and five thirds from 22 starts, Reef Runner has amassed $627,580 in prize money, consistently running with top turf sprinters from 1000m to 1300m. He impressed in September with a commanding victory in the G2 Eddie D Stakes over a distance similar to this weekend’s test and finished a creditable fourth in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint despite encountering traffic and a slower pace.
Fawkes acknowledged a controversial moment in the G3 Green Flash, where Reef Runner was disqualified from a first-place finish and placed second behind Motorious (USA). “Honestly, in the Green Flash he should not have been disqualified,” Fawkes said. “This added distance this weekend is really going to help him. He has no problem letting the pace go and sitting behind, so hopefully there is some speed.”
The 5-year-old son of Lieblong’s G1-winning star The Big Beast (USA) arrives off a smooth victory in Gulfstream Park’s Listed Janus Stakes on December 20 and has impressed in his morning gallops at King Abdulaziz Racecourse. Fawkes praised the horse’s professionalism: “He shipped like an old pro, takes everything in stride, and nothing upsets him. He’s ready.”
With Reef Runner looking to outshine America’s dual 1351 Turf Sprint runner-up Casa Creed (USA), connections are quietly optimistic. If the Florida-bred can reproduce his US form on the GCC turf, Saturday could see a new chapter in Fawkes’ illustrious career.
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