X Y Jet making his return in stakes race

It is only fitting that the relaunch of X Y Jet should come at Gulfstream Park.

The 6-year-old will be making his first start in 13 months in Saturday’s $100,000 Grade 3 Mr. Prospector Stakes, a race he won two years ago in the midst of a five race winning streak. Half of the gelding’s six career victories have come at Gulfstream.

X Y Jet’s streak ended, and his issues began, after running second in the 2016 Dubai Golden Shaheen, when he emerged from that race with a chip in his left knee. X Y Jet was sidelined until October of that year and made two more starts before his connections opted for surgery.

Not wanting to take any chances, trainer Jorge Navarro decided to allow X Y Jet to heal completely, putting him back into training a month ago. Leading up to Saturday’s race, Navarro said his pupil is working better than he has ever seen him work, and the morning line oddsmaker at Gulfstream seems to concur. X Y Jet is the clear 7-5 early favorite in the 10 horse Mr. Prospector field.

Navarro will be doubling down in the race as he will also saddle Fire Mission, who is working on a winning streak of his own. The 7-year-old has won his past four starts, all optional claiming races. The Mr. Prospector will be his first attempt at graded stakes company.

Quijote, the second choice at 5-1, is coming off of a come from behind win in the Millions Sprint Preview at Gulfstream Park West last month. The win was his fourth in his past six starts. Like Fire Mission, First Growth has been assigned early odds of 6-1. He is a winner of eight of his last nine and was last seen capturing the Claiming Crown Express three weeks ago in his first Gulfstream start.

The 6-furlong Mr. Prospector is the 10th race on the 11-race card with an approximate post time of 4:37 p.m.