TAMPA, FL – Rockingham Ranch and Gelfenstein Farm’s X Y Jet continued his torried comeback tour, winning for fun in Saturday’s $100,000 Pelican Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs.
Away under Emisael Jaramillo as the heavy 2/5 favorite, X Y Jet broke fastest and immediately took command by multiple lengths before the field had even left the backstretch chute. Setting swift splits of :21.87 and :44.41, X Y Jet exited the far turn as the one to catch, clearing away from his foes so strongly that he crossed the finish line at a light jog by 7 lengths in a final time of 1:09.17 (only .03 off of the stakes record) for the 6-furlong main track sprint.
“This horse wants competition,” Navarro said trainer. “He has not been an easy horse to train. He has great ability, but he can have a horrible temper. (Jaramillo) said he didn’t want to take a chance – if he’s going to win, make sure he’s going to win.”
Longshots Jaguar Poz and Divine Ambition rallied down the stretch to take second and third, respectively. Flashy Kyem nosed out fourth over First Growth, while Recruiting Ready and Union Grace completed the order of finish. Tyler U and Sweetontheladies were both scratched.
X Y Jet’s victory was his third in as many starts since returning from a 13-month layoff due to injury. The 6-year-old gelded son of Kantharos improved his record to 20-9-6-2 with career earnings of $990,813. Navarro has used this recent string of victories as a foundation for a trip to Dubai and a start in the Group 1 Golden Shaheen.
“He wants to go to Dubai (and) we want a vacation,” Navarro said. “We did the right thing coming here today, and now we’re ready for Dubai.”
X Y Jet returned $2.80 to win, $2.20 to place, and $2.10 to show. Jaguar Poz brought back $7 to place and $3.80 to show, while Divine Ambition paid $5 to show.
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