Reef Runner Returned from the Middle East Better Than Ever and Already Has a Secured Ticket to the Breeders' Cup
- Turf Diario
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Following his brilliant performances in Saudi Arabia and Dubai, the son of The Big Beast returned to the United States to capture the Jaipur Stakes (G1) at Saratoga and secure his spot in the Turf Sprint at Keeneland
SARATOGA SPRINGS, New York (Special to Turf Diario).– Trips to the Middle East usually leave traces. The demands of competing at the highest level in Saudi Arabia and Dubai, the long transfers, and the intensity of international commitments often end up taking a toll. But clearly, that was not the case for Reef Runner.
The remarkable sprinter trained by David Fawkes returned to the United States in April after a more than outstanding international campaign, and this Saturday he confirmed that he is going through the best moment of his racing life by capturing the Jaipur Stakes (G1), contested over 1100 meters on the Saratoga turf.
The victory carried a double reward. In addition to the $275,000 reserved for the winner, the son of The Big Beastearned an automatic qualification for October's Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1T) at Keeneland, thanks to the Win and You're In program. "I gave him three weeks off at the farm with Nick Esler and he did a fantastic job. What else can I say? Wow! Everything we ask this horse to do, he does," commented Fawkes, still impressed by his pupil's new demonstration.
The international campaign of the defender of the colors of Alex and JoAnn Lieblong had been superb. In February, he captured the 1351 Turf Sprint (G2) in Saudi Arabia and subsequently finished very close in the Al Quoz Sprint (G1) at Meydan, performances that brought him more than $1,275,000 in purses.
Back home and following a series of excellent workouts in Florida, Reef Runner arrived at the Jaipur ready for another major challenge.
The race did not begin in the best way. The dark bay suffered some bumps when the gates opened, although he quickly managed to settle into third behind John the Beer Man (More Than Ready) and the defending champion Ag Bullet(Twirling Candy), who set blistering fractions of 21s19/100 and 43s13/100.
The pacesetters seemed to have everything under control upon entering the homestretch, but when Irad Ortiz Jr. found room on the outside and launched Reef Runner's attack, the story changed completely.
With a devastating acceleration, the winner wore down both speedsters in the decisive meters and ended up prevailing by a half-length, covering the 1100 meters in an excellent time of 1m02s10/100.
"Irad told me that once he managed to settle him after the break, the race was over. He was full of horse and ready to run," Fawkes recounted.
Ortiz himself agreed with that view: "It was a fantastic feeling. He always has a very strong closing kick and this time he proved it again. He practically did it on his own. I never had to truly urge him," the jockey explained.
Ag Bullet preserved the second spot, just a head in front of John the Beer Man, while Reef Runner elevated his total earnings to $2,177,580, the product of 9 victories from 25 outings.
The story also held a special meaning for American breeding. Reef Runner became the first G1 winner for his sire The Big Beast, a stallion who currently stands at McDowell Farm, Arkansas, for just $2,000.
Likewise, he became the first top-level winner for his dam, Paradise Bay (Blame), who had already produced the stakes winner Big Paradise, a full brother to the Saratoga hero.
Now, with a guaranteed spot in the Breeders' Cup and after having demonstrated his capability both in the United States and on the grand international stages, Reef Runner looks ready to face even more ambitious goals. For now, he returned from the Middle East exactly the same way he left: winning. And perhaps, even a little better.
