After long layoff, X Y Jet pulls away to win

If there were any concerns about X Y Jet’s long layoff, they were quickly put to rest Saturday at Gulfstream Park.

The 5-year-old gelding, who hadn’t raced in 13 months, shot out of the gate to take the early lead in the $100,000 GIII Mr. Prospector Stakes and the only question was who could hold him off through 6-furlong race.

First Growth was the only horse in the 10-horse Mr. Prospector field that could give him a challenge. But when jockey Emisael Jaramillo tapped him at the head of the stretch, that was all the reminder X Y Jet needed as he pulled away for the half-length victory.

X Y Jet was clearly the class of this field, having hit the board with a second the place finish in the 2016 Dubai Golden Shaheen. However, he emerged from that race with an injury to his left front knee that required surgery.

Given most of this year to fully heal, trainer Jorge Navarro wasn’t quite sure what to expect from his pupil.

“It’s crazy what I’m going through right now. I asked myself all the time: ‘Is he ready?’ Come on, it’s been two years,” Navarro said. “Two races in two years. We’ll see how he come out. If he comes out, they’re in trouble. That’s all I can say.”

Indeed the field was in a bit of trouble as Jaramillo, X Y Jet’s regular rider, took him immediately to the front. His winning time was 1:09.45.

“Our fear was that the horse hasn’t run for a long time and he might get tired,” Jaramillo said, “This horse is on top again.”

As such, Navarro said that the ultimate goal for the son of Kantharos is to get back to the Golden Shaheen in March. To bridge to that race, Navarro said that his start could likely come in the Sunshine Millions Sprint at Gulfstream on Jan. 20.

Sonic Mule held on show, four lengths back. for