The Big Beast’s Reef Runner Hands Lieblongs Victory In The 1351 Turf Sprint

[Wandering Eyes]

American runners had been in good form early on Saudi Cup Day, and Alex and JoAnn Lieblong's Reef Runner (The Big Beast) added another U.S. victory in the G2 1351 Turf Sprint. He narrowly defeated multiple Group 1 winner Lazzat (Territories), with Comanche Brave (Wootton Bassett) third. The final time for the distance over good/firm ground was 1:18.24.

The eventual winner stalked Lazzat out wide, before making his move in the straight. He defeated that game rival narrowly and withstood the rally of Comanche Brave for the win.

A winner of the GII Eddie D Stakes last year, the gelding ran fourth in the GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint in November. He ended 2025 with a tally in the Listed Janus Stakes in Florida.

Reef Runner is one of three winners from four to race for the winning Paradise Bay (Blame). He is a full-brother to Big Paradise (The Big Beast), who won the Juvenile Sprint Stakes at Gulfstream Park. Her latest offspring is a filly by Omaha Beach and she was covered by Life Is Good last spring.

Saturday, King Abdulaziz (Riyadh), Saudi Arabia
1351 TURF SPRINT (Presented by Quiddiya City)-G2, $2,000,000, King Abdulaziz, 2-14, 4yo/up, 1351mT, 1:18.24, gd.
1–REEF RUNNER, 125, g, 5, The Big Beast
            1st Dam: Paradise Bay, by Blame
            2nd Dam: Wild Forest, by Forest Wildcat
            3rd Dam: Uforia, by Zilzal
O/B-Alex & JoAnn Lieblong (FL); T-David Fawkes; J-Irad Ortiz, Jr.; $1,200,000. Lifetime Record: GSW-US, 23-8-5-5, $1,827,580.

 

#9 REEF RUNNER ($21.10) caught favored Lazzat in the $2,000,000 1351 Turf Sprint (G2). The American gelding by The Big Beast was piloted by @IradOrtiz for trainer @fawkesracinginc. pic.twitter.com/X49Kq7OECK

— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) February 14, 2026

The post The Big Beast’s Reef Runner Hands Lieblongs Victory In The 1351 Turf Sprint appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

View the full article