Becomes 189th Florida-bred Millionaire

BY BROCK SHERIDAN

Alex and JoAnn Lieblong’s Florida homebred Reef Runner steered from behind the leaders at the top of the stretch to target 7-5 favorite Lazzat (Fr) and take over with 100 meters to the finish and win the $2 million 1351 Turf Sprint presented by Qiddiya City (Group 2) on the Saudi Cup undercard at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh Saturday. With Irad Ortiz Jr. aboard, the David Fawkes-trained gelding finished 1,351 meters on the good/firm turf course in 1:18.24, becoming the 189th Florida-bred millionaire with the $1.2 million first prize increasing his career earnings to $1,827,580.

Shin Forever set the pace on the rail with Zio Jo between horses in second and Lazzat three-wide while Ortiz kept Reef Runner tucked in behind that trio on even terms with Panja Tower (Jpn) and Marvelman (Ire) to his inside. 

Lazzat circled Shin Forever and Zio Jo to come out of the turn in front before Ortiz took Reef Runner to the outside at the top of the stretch to begin his run. The late running Reef Runner drew even with Lazzat with 200 meters left then got the edge in the final strides to win by a neck as Comanche Brave (Ire) ran on late, finishing another three-quarters of a length farther back in third. They were followed in order by Time to Dazzle, Panja Tower (Jpn), Fortune Time (Jpn), Annaf (Ire), Zefzaf, Marvelman, Love De Vega (Ire), Geography (Ger), Zio Jo and Shin Forever.

Reef Runner paid $21.10.

 

“We broke from the 10-hole and he’s been running five furlongs, so I suspected that he was going to put me in a good position without using too much,” Ortiz said. “That’s what I wanted to do.

“[Reef Runner] broke excellent and without using him, I was forwardly placed. I couldn’t drop in because I had the [Pana Tower (Jpn)] 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.”

Fawkes, who along with the Lieblongs, was making his first trip to the Middle East, praised Ortiz for the ride.

“I thought Irad did a great job,” Fawkes said. “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.

“[Reef Runner] 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.”

A winner of the Grade 2 Eddie D over the downhill turf course at Santa Anita in September, Reef Runner entered the 1351 Turf Sprint off a length triumph in the $125,000 Janus going five furlongs on the turf at Gulfstream Park on December 20. He has now crossed the wire first in four of his last five races going back to a length victory in the $70,000 Warrior’s Pride overnight handicap at Gulfstream on August 3. However, he disqualified for interference and placed second to Motorious (GB) in the Grade 3 Green Flash at Del Mar on Aug. 30. Reef Runner was fourth in the Grade 1 Prevagen Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint won by Shisospicy at Del Mar on November 1.

The victory improved his career record to eight wins in 23 starts with five seconds and five thirds. 

Reef Runner is by The Big Beast out of Blame mare Paradise Bay, a half-sister to Grade 1-winner Paradise Woods, stakes-winner Forest Chatter, stakes-placed Broken Bridle and graded stakes-producer Economy of Motion. The Lieblongs purchased Paradise Bay for $350,000 at the 2017 Keeneland September Yearling Sale and saw her win one race in four starts as a 3-year-old. Paradise Bay has produced three winners from four starters and five foals for the Lieblongs including Florida-bred Big Paradise, also by The Big Beast, winner of the 2024 Juvenile Turf Sprint at Gulfstream Park. Paradise Bay has an unnamed yearling filly by Omaha Beach and was bred to Life is Good in 2025.

Return to the February 14 issue of Wire to Wire