X Y Jet continues winning ways in Gulfstream Park Sprint

X Y Jet is ready to take on the world in next month's Dubai Golden Shaheen (G1) after rolling to his fifth consecutive victory in Saturday's $100,000 Gulfstream Park Sprint (G3).

Under Emisael Jaramillo, X Y Jet bobbled slightly at the start but was still able to grab a half-length lead over Trouble Kid through an opening quarter in :21.84. The lead was extended to a length after a half in :43.92, but the best was yet to come from the gray son of Kantharos. Opening up a three-length lead in the stretch, X Y Jet had more than enough cushion to hold off a modest late bid from Candip to win by 1 1/4 lengths.

"They put pressure on him, but when they looked him in the eye, he got in the bridle," Jaramillo said. "When he turned for home, he got in a different gear. In the lane, it looked like he was waiting on horses, but he has so much class, when I called on him, he just drew away again.”

The 1-2 favorite in a field of seven, X Y Jet returned $3 after completing 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:15.95 on a fast track. Candip edged clear of Ready for Rye late to finish second by 1 1/2 lengths, while Ready for Rye just held third by a neck over Griff.

A share of X Y Jet was reportedly bought this week by Rockingham Ranch, which now co-owns the four-year-old gelding with Gelfenstein Farm. Trained by Jorge Navarro, X Y Jet heads to Meydan Racecourse in Dubai with three straight stakes tallies. Earlier in the meet, he captured the Mr. Prospector (G3) by 9 1/4 lengths and the $150,000 Sunshine Millions Sprint by 4 1/4 lengths.

Conducted over a straight six furlongs, the Golden Shaheen should be right in X Y Jet's wheelhouse. He'll ship to the Middle East for that $2 million event with a career mark of 14-6-5-1, $365,653.

“I'm going to keep him happy now,” Navarro said. “I'm going to go [to Dubai] and go on a vacation. I'm going to go on the 12th or the 13th [of March]. He's going to go on the 15th. I want to make sure I'm there before he gets there and everything is fine.”

In the opening event of the 13-race card, the $75,000 Texas Glitter, Manhattan Dan took command from the start and drew off to an impressive 5 1/4-length victory in the five-furlong grass test for three-year-olds.

Appearing to be under a snug hold by Javier Castellano, Manhattan Dan led by a length through an opening quarter of :21.49, was up three lengths after a half in :43.80 and finished up in :54.97 on firm ground. The 2-1 second choice in a field of nine, he paid $6.80.

Noholdingback Bear, also at 2-1 and the post-time favorite took over second approaching the quarter pole but could gain no additional ground. He finished 1 1/2 lengths ahead of Monster Bea for the place.