GI Jaipur Stakes winner Reef Runner (The Big Beast) will get some space between races and will most likely target the GII Troy Stakes at Saratoga Aug. 9 as his next start.
The son of The Big Beast began his 2026 with an electric victory in the G2 1351 Turf Sprint at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in mid-February, and checked in fourth a month later at Meydan in the G1 Al Quoz Turf Sprint. Sent home after those jumps, he denied defending champion Ag Bullet (Twirling Candy) in his first start back in North America last weekend during the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival.
“I think [Reef Runner's next race] will be the Troy, which is two months from now,” trainer David Fawkes said. “I'll be honest with you, between running in Saudi Arabia and running in Dubai and then coming back home to run so big in New York, I'm not in a big rush to run him back in 10 days, if you know what I mean. I'm going to give him a little extra time.”
Reef Runner earned an automatic berth to the GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint this October at Keeneland with his win in the Jaipur.
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