Reef Runner Takes Turf Sprint Classic For Ortiz And Fawkes

AMERICAN CHALLENGER DENIES LAZZAT IN A PHOTO FINISH

Image: Reef Runner (USA) hits the line first in the Group 2 USD$2m Turf Sprint Presented by Qiddiya City. Credit: JCSA// Mathea Kelley

For many, American raider Reef Runner (USA) had gone under the radar in the build-up to the Group 2 USD$2m Turf Sprint Presented by Qiddiya City.

Under the floodlights at the King Abdulaziz Racecourse, however, the Irad Ortiz partnered 5-year-old showed that he was more than well suited to both the trip and a track that he was encountering for the first time.

As is typical for American sprinters, when the gates opened, he jumped well and took up position behind the Japanese leader Shin Forever (USA), while the French raider Lazzat (FR) travelled in third position on his outside.

When they came into the final straight, the James Doyle partnered Lazzat made his move and went into the lead, but Reef Runner was not far behind and kept closing in on him to beat him by a neck on the wire in 1:18.238. Commanche Brave (IRE), trained by Donnacha O’Brien finished three-quarters of a length behind the pair in third place.

It was a first starter in Saudi Arabia for trainer David Fawkes and owner/breeders Alex and JoAnn Lieblong.

Quotes

Irad Ortiz Jr, jockey, Reef Runner, 1st: “We broke from the 10-hole [gate] and he’s been running five furlongs [1000m], so I suspected that he was going to put me in a good position without using too much. That’s what I wanted to do.

“He broke excellent and without using him, I was forwardly placed. I couldn’t drop in because I had the Japanese horse right next to me, so I stayed outside of him. Then James [Doyle on Lazzat] went ahead, so I followed him and was able to stalk in behind him. Then, turning for home, I was biding my time and when I hit the clear and asked him, he gave me a good kick, like he always does.”

David Fawkes, trainer, Reef Runner: “I thought Irad did a great job. He had him in a perfect position the whole time. He told me where he was going to be sitting and that is where he was.

“He is a trier. I wasn’t bothered about the draw at all as it is so far around the backside. I love coming to a place and win the first time. Everything was perfect. The horse trained excellent, it means a lot to me. I know we beat a really good horse from France. I think we might go to Dubai if we get invited.”

James Doyle, jockey, Lazzat, 2nd: “Very disappointed to get beaten obviously. He’s a horse that we love but when we got the 12 stall, for a horse who’s quite fast, there was a disadvantage. He has only been beaten a short distance.”

Ryan Moore, jockey, Comanche Brave, 3rd: “He ran a very good race from a quick turn around.”

**ENDS**