Reef Under The Radar In 1351 Turf Sprint

FLORIDA’S DAVID FAWKES WITH FIRST SAUDI ARABIAN RUNNER

Image: Reef Runner at King Abdulaziz Racecourse, February 9, 2026.

Credit: Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia / Neville Hopwood.

Thursday February 12, 2026 – Alex and JoAnn Lieblong’s homebred talented turf sprinter Reef Runner (USA) enters the fray of Saturday’s Group 2 USD£2million 1351 Turf Sprint Presented by Qiddiya City in serious form for David Fawkes, who is no stranger to top-class runners in his yard.

The Florida-based trainer has trained the likes of G1 Breeders’ Cup Sprint winner Big Drama (USA), triple G1 winner Sheer Drama (USA) and dual G1 winner Take D’ Tour (USA) in a long, well-respected career, but makes his first foray into the GCC region with his current stable star.

‘I’m hoping with the distance and the way the track is laid out that it sets up for him,” Fawkes said. “I’m confident he’s got his A-game coming, but if he’s good enough, I don’t know. He really closes and tries hard every time, so hopefully it’s good enough.”

Boasting a record of seven wins, five seconds and five third places from his 22 starts and $627,580 in prize money, Reef Runner has been a picture of consistency against America’s top turf sprinters, ranging from 1000m to 1300m.

A good fourth in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint after a bit of traffic and a slower-than-expected pace, he was ultra-impressive taking the G2 Eddie D Stakes just prior in September over a similar trip to this weekend’s test.

In fact, in 12 stakes-race starts, he has finished fourth or better 11 times, including three victories. The total would be four, if not for being disqualified from his first-place finish in August’s G3 Green Flash and placed second behind well-regarded Motorious (USA).

The son of the Lieblong’s G1-winning star The Big Beast (USA) enters off a facile victory in Gulfstream Park’s Listed Janus Stakes on December 20.

“Here’s the thing; in the Green Flash he should not have been disqualified and I think they were a bit unfair to him there, but honestly [the 1000m distance] is almost a bit too short for him and I think you saw that in the Breeders’ Cup, too,” Fawkes said.

“This added distance is really going to help him, I believe. He has no problem letting the pace go and sitting behind, so hopefully there is some speed.

“On paper, in the Breeders’ Cup, there was a ton of speed, but when the bell rang no-one went to the front and Irad [Ortiz Jr] on the winner [Shisospicy] just went out there by himself,” Fawkes continued.

“So that filly had an easy lead and won the race, but our horse ran a great race to be fourth. When he goes, he goes, and he’s not afraid to roll the dice.”

Hoping to do one better than America’s dual 1351 Turf Sprint runner-up Casa Creed (USA), the muscular bay 5-year-old has made a positive impression in the mornings at King Abdulaziz Racecourse, boasting a positive coat and ample energy.

‘He’s been going really well and his work the other day was really great,” Fawkes said.

“The track is a little deeper than he’s used to, so he just did a maintenance three-eighths [600m] and he galloped out strong and he’s done everything right.

“He shipped like an old pro, takes everything in stride and nothing upsets him,” Fawkes concluded. “He’s ready.”

***ENDS***