Grade 1-winning gelding Reef Runner has rejoined trainer David Fawkes' barn at Gulfstream Park to continue his recovery from a soft tissue injury, as reported by BloodHorse. While the homebred turf sprinter is currently shedrowing, official track training remains delayed until his healing process completes.
Owned by Alex and JoAnn Lieblong, Reef Runner established himself among the nation's premier turf sprinters earlier in 2026. His campaign included a victory in Saudi Arabia's 1351 Turf Sprint (G2T), a fourth-place finish in Dubai's Al Quoz Sprint (G1T), and a Grade 1 triumph in the Jaipur Stakes at Saratoga Race Course in June 2026. However, inflammation following a workout approximately one month after the Jaipur Stakes required him to pause racing operations and enter rehabilitation at Nick Esler's Sandhurst Thoroughbreds at the Oak Ridge Training Center near Morriston, Florida.
Speaking on November 10, 2026, from Churchill Downs, Fawkes noted that while he initially hoped for a four-month rehabilitation period, the gelding's timeline is moving closer to six months. Fawkes stated that attending veterinarians have provided a favorable prognosis for Reef Runner to race again once fully healed.
Concurrently, Fawkes is preparing Monarch Stables' four-year-old filly No Other Like You for the $100,000 Claiming Crown Glass Slipper on November 14, 2026, at Churchill Downs. Claimed for $35,000 in January 2026 at Gulfstream Park, the filly has logged two victories and finished in the money in six of nine subsequent starts, including a transition start over dirt on October 14, 2026, at Keeneland.
