Multiple graded stakes-winning
X Y Jet continues his impressive comeback from a string of injury-laden layoffs. The 2016 Dubai Golden Shaheen sponsored by Gulf News (G1) beaten favourite and runner-up has conditioner Jorge Navarro, also the trainer of expected Godolphin Mile (G2) favourite Sharp Azteca, excited for this year’s 1200m event, despite the strength of the field expected.
After racing only twice between March 26, 2016, and December 23, 2017, the muscular gray gelding won three consecutive stakes this winter, including a romp last out in the Pelican Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs on February 17th and a sharp comeback in the Mr. Prospector (G3). He has since given his connections positive vibes in spades as he prepares to ship over from his South Florida base.
“He’s just one of the boys of the barn,” Navarro said. “I really like our chances going into the race – perhaps just as good or better than Sharp Azteca’s. Everything has gone right for him since he came back and he ran a huge race last out at Tampa. It was a gutsy call to take him up there and I stressed about it for two weeks, but I’m glad we did. Now I don’t have to put six or seven works in him and he will be ready (because of that race).
“He hasn’t been an easy horse to train because you have to figure him out,” Navarro continued. “He’s an old warrior with battle wounds, so you just have to manage him and let him tell you when he’s ready to do things. His attitude hasn’t changed at all. He’s still a mean horse who wants to tear you up sometimes and (when he runs) he loves the competition, but he also protects himself.”
Owned by Rockingham Ranch and Sharp Azteca’s owner Gelfenstein Farm, X Y Jet will be joined in the gate by some of the top sprinters in the world, including his own banner-mate, champion American sprinter
Roy H, who is trained by Peter Miller. Still, Navarro remains confident that his charge will give him every chance of taking home a personally coveted Dubai prize.
“When we did the last surgery on him, there was worry that he wouldn’t come back, but I knew that he would let us know,” Navarro said. “We really took our time with him and he was in the barn for seven months before he started galloping. It has paid off and now he’s doing extremely well.
“Walking into Meydan… I can’t explain it,” Navarro concluded. “It’s like going to the top of the racing world and is just a thrill. I was a hotwalker when I started and wasn’t supposed to be doing what I’m doing right now. To have a chance to win those two races… I can’t explain what that would feel like. There are Derbies and Breeders’ Cups out there, but this is Dubai, and to think that I could win one or both is pretty amazing.”
In other news, Roy H worked a solid 600m on Wednesday morning and remains on target for the Dubai Golden Shaheen, skipping the Triple Bend (G1), as does defending champion and revenge-seeking Mind Your Biscuits, who was third to him in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) in November.
Locally,
Comicas and
My Catch get a chance at a tiebreaker on the Carnival when the respective Dubawi (G3) and Al Shindagha Sprint (G3) winners clash in Super Saturday’s Mahab Al Shimaal (G3), the 1200m course and distance prep for the Dubai Golden Shaheen. It is worth noting that the latter, who adores low barrier draws and a rail-skimming ride, drew poorly in post 10 of 11. The frontrunner has speed to his inside and outside in
Yalta (post 8) and Raven’s Corner (post 11).
In Japan, a pair of solid sprinters are confirmed as pointing toward the race. Group 3 winner Dios Corrida, a four-time stakes winner over this distance, will take a second shot at the race after finishing 11th last year. Appearing to be in better form, he won three of his final four races in 2017, including the Capella Stakes (G3) at Nakayama for trainer Yoshitada Takahashi. He will possibly be joined by
Matera Sky, a 4-year-old Kentucky-bred son of Speightstown who has shown promise this season with a pair of 1200m dirt stakes wins, including the Kashihara Stakes at Kyoto on February 17th.
Current Dubai Golden Shaheen Possibles (not necessarily invitees): Roy H, Mind Your Biscuits, Takaful, X Y Jet, Matera Sky, Dios Corrida, D B Pin, My Catch, Comicas, Reynaldothewizard, Raven’s Corner, Muarrab, Yalta
Unedited Press Release: Dubai Racing Club