HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – One horse conspicuous by his absence when Saturday’s $175,000 Gulfstream Park Turf Sprint was drawn on Sunday, although for good reason, was Grade 2 winner Reef Runner.
Trainer David Fawkes had originally planned on bringing Reef Runner back in the Turf Sprint following his one-length victory in the Janus Stakes on Dec. 20. The performance capped off a huge 2025 campaign during which Reef Runner also won the Grade 2 Eddie D at Santa Anita and finished fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint.
But that all changed after Reef Runner was tendered an invitation to the 1351 Turf Sprint to be decided on the Saudi Cup undercard at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh on Feb. 14.
“We’ve been pointing him for the race in Saudi since we learned of the invitation earlier this month,” said Fawkes. “I’m really excited and looking forward to the experience. I’ve never done this before, although taking care of all the details to go there has been a little nerve-wracking. I don’t even have a flight booked yet.
“He’s been training well over the Tapeta here along with Asher’s Edge, who is in the Turf Sprint on Saturday. He’s doing very well too, although unfortunately he drew a very tough post.”
Asher’s Edge has post 12 in the 13-horse field, which has one also-eligible.
Fawkes will also be the trainer of record when British Isles goes postward in Saturday’s $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational. The Grade 3-placed California invader is trained by Richard Baltas.
“I don’t really know a lot about him. He just came into the barn a couple of days ago,” said Fawkes. “The other two California horses, Madaket Road and Full Serrano, have also shipped into our barn for the race as well.”
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