Though Nysos and other American-trained horses were denied by Forever Young in the $20 million Saudi Cup (G1), two sprinters from the United States claimed a pair of $2 million stakes races earlier on the Feb. 14 card at King Abdulaziz Racecourse. California shipper Imagination took the Riyadh Dirt Sprint (G2), followed a half-hour later by a mild upset from Florida-based Reef Runner in the 1351 Turf Sprint (G2T).
Deviating from his customary style of stalking the early pace, Imagination came from the clouds after being hampered at the start of the Riyadh Dirt Sprint, patiently handled by Eclipse Award-winning jockey Flavien Prat. Picking off rivals on the far outside in the stretch, he reeled in the fatigued leaders to take command late in the race over 1,200 meters (about 6 furlongs).
He defeated fellow American and longtime leader Just Beat the Odds by three-quarters of a length, timed in 1:12 for the distance on a fast track.
"For the first time, that last 100 meters was kind to me," said winning trainer Bob Baffert, referring to late fades and heartbreaking losses in the Saudi Cup and supporting races through the years.
The Hall of Famer said the plan is to freshen Imagination before pointing to a race in the U.S. He suggested the $1 million Metropolitan Handicap (G1), known as the Met Mile, as a possibility at Saratoga Race Course on Belmont Stakes day, June 6.
Imagination paid $3.60 to win as the favorite in a worldwide pari-mutuel pool.
"When you come to the desert, you have to be way the best," Baffert said.
Local runner Muqtahem ran third, ahead of Japan's American Stage in fourth. Another American shipper, Lovesick Blues, was fifth.
With the Riyadh Dirt Sprint part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series: Win and You're In, Imagination earned a paid, automatic berth into the Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) this fall at Keeneland. He was second in that same race Nov. 1 at Del Mar.
Baffert trains Imagination, a 5-year-old, for owners SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Stonestreet Stables, Dianne Bashor, Bob Masterson, Waves Edge Capital, Catherine Donovan, and Tom Ryan. He is now a grade 2 winner at ages 3, 4, and 5. His owners purchased the son of Into Mischief for $1.05 million from Bridie Harrison at the 2022 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.
Into Mischief, seven times the leading general sire in North America, stands this breeding season for $250,000 at Spendthrift Farm near Lexington.
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Connections Hope for Dubai Invite for Reef Runner
A race after the Riyadh Dirt Sprint, another Breeders' Cup alum—Reef Runner, fourth in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1T)—pounced in the stretch under Irad Ortiz Jr. in the 1351 Turf Sprint, wearing down favored Lazzat by a neck.
Trained in Florida by David Fawkes for owner/breeders Alex and JoAnn Lieblong, Reef Runner won the 5-furlong Janus Stakes on the Gulfstream Park turf Dec. 20 in his one start that followed the Breeders' Cup. Before the Breeders' Cup, he scored in the Eddie D Stakes (G2T) at Santa Anita Park in a race at about 6 1/2 furlongs over a distance similar to the 1351 Turf Sprint.
"I know we beat a really good horse from France," Fawkes said of Reef Runner defeating Lazzat. "I think we might go to Dubai (next) if we get invited."
Reef Runner ran 1,351 meters (about 6 1/2 furlongs) in 1:18.24. He paid $21.10 for a $2 win bet in pari-mutuel wagering.
Ortiz said he was able to secure a good early position without needing to ask his mount and followed Lazzat when that one made his move. "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," the rider said.
Comanche Brave showed ahead of American Time to Dazzle in fourth. Another American, Zio Jo, ran 12th.
Reef Runner is a 5-year-old gelding by The Big Beast out of the Blame mare Paradise Bay. The Lieblongs raced both Paradise Bay and The Big Beast before their mating. Paradise Bay captured a maiden race at Sam Houston Race Park in 2019 for trainer Steve Asmussen, and The Big Beast took the 2014 King's Bishop Stakes (G1) at Saratoga for Tony Dutrow.
The Big Beast, who entered stud in 2016, stands this breeding season for $2,000 at McDowell Farm in Arkansas.
In other graded stakes action on the grass Saturday:
- Royal Champion ($5.80), trained by Karl Burke for exors of the late Sheikh Mohammed Obaid, defeated Facteur Cheval and Survie in the $3 million Neom Turf Cup (G1T). Oisin Murphy piloted the winner, who completed 2,100 meters (about 1 5/16 miles) on turf in 2:06.22.
- H.O.S. Syndicate's Sons And Lovers ($27.20) outran Tabletalk and Tarriance in the $2.5 million Red Sea Turf Handicap (G2T). The Joseph O'Brien trainee covered 3,000 meters (about 1 7/8 miles) under Dylan McMonagle in 3:11.56.
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