X Y Jet ready for takeoff in Golden Shaheen

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – He has had two long layoffs, including one of more than a year, and two knee surgeries since he last was in Dubai, but X Y Jet is in a better place for the $2 million Golden Shaheen on Saturday than he was when favored to win the race in 2016, trainer Jorge Navarro believes.

“He’s had three knee surgeries, but he’s as clean now as he’s ever been,” Navarro said. “Last time I was here I couldn’t train the horse.”

Navarro said he babied X Y Jet along, unable to get him properly fit for the 2016 Shaheen, because the horse was fighting soreness. X Y Jet finished second in the race that year.

“Last time he was here he didn’t have any workouts,” said Navarro. “Now he’s tight – very tight.”

X Y Jet has won all three of his starts since returning in December from his 13-month break.

“We gave him the right amount of time after that,” Navarro said. “It took me seven months to get him ready. I did it how I wanted to. The owners kept asking, ‘When are we working, when are we working?’ I said we weren’t ready.”

Navarro said he was thrilled with X Y Jet’s draw in post 2 for the Shaheen. The speedball has held a lead in his last 13 starts, and he is going to the front Saturday.

“You guys saw a fast horse the last time he was in Dubai,” said Navarro. “I’m not bragging, but this time he’s faster.”