The rigors of traveling to and competing in the Middle East can be withering for some horses.
But not Reef Runner.
After two strong efforts against top international competition in Saudi Arabia and Dubai earlier this year, the gelding son of The Big Beast returned home to the United States in April and showed he was no worse for the wear June 6 when he captured the $500,000 Jaipur Stakes (G1T) at Saratoga Race Course and wrapped up a free spot in the Breeders' Cup.
"I gave him three weeks with Nick Esler (at the farm) and he did a great job with him," trainer David Fawkes said. "What do you say but, Wow! Anything you ask (Reef Runner) to do, he does."
Fourth in last year's Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1T), Reef Runner had a successful journey overseas as he won the 1351 Turf Sprint (G2T) in Saudi Arabia and was a close fourth in the Al Quoz Sprint (G1T), bankrolling $1,275,000 for owners/breeders Alex and JoAnn Lieblong.
The financial prize this time was $275,000 and as an added bonus, the 5 1/2-furlong turf sprint is a Breeders' Cup Challenge Series: Win and You're In event, and provided Reef Runner with a free return trip to the Turf Sprint at Keeneland.
"It's been a while," said Fawkes, who won the 2010 Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) with Big Drama. "But at least I have one of those wins under my belt."
The 5-year-old son of the Blame mare Paradise Bay came into the Jaipur off a series of solid works in Florida following his last start in the March 28 Al Quoz Sprint.
The 5-1 third choice ($12.48), he was bumped at the start but was still third as John the Beer Man led by a length with 2025 Jaipur winner Ag Bullet second through swift fractions of :21.19 and :43.13.
The speedsters dominated the race as Ag Bullet and John the Beer Man battled into the stretch. But when jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. tipped Reef Runner out in midstretch, he quickly collared them from the outside and registered a half-length victory.
"Irad said once he broke, the race was over," Fawkes said. "He was on the bridle and ready to roll."
Final time was 1:00.02.
"That was great," Ortiz said. "He always kicks at the end. He did it on his own. I never hit him. I was full of horse."
Calvin Nguyen and Joey Tran's Ag Bullet, a Twirling Candy mare trained by Richard Baltas, took second by a neck over Michael Caruso and Michael Dubb's John the Beer Man, a More Than Ready gelding trained by Rob Atras.
The win was the ninth in 25 starts for Reef Runner and lifted his earnings to $2,177,580.
He is the second of six foals from Paradise Bay and became her first grade 1 winner Saturday. She has also produced the stakes-winning Big Paradise, a full brother to Reef Runner, and her most recent foal is a 2026 Life Is Good colt.
Reef Runner is the first grade 1 winner for sire The Big Beast, who stands at McDowell Farm in Arkansas for $2,000.
Fawkes said he was uncertain of when and where Reef Runner would run next.
