X Y Jet was first out of the gate and first home with a powerful front-running performance to capture Saturday’s US$2.5 million, Group 1 Dubai Golden Shaheen sponsored by Gulf News at Meydan Racecourse.

Trained by Jorge Navarro for owners Rockingham Ranch and Gelfenstein Farm, X Y Jet had finished second twice previously in this event, defeated a neck in 2016 when collared by Muarrab and by a head last year to Mind Your Biscuits.

Emisael Jaramillo hustled X Y Jet from the gate on Saturday night and immediately took command of the race with Matera Sky, piloted by Yutake Take, applying pressure through an opening 400m in 24.34 seconds.

The 7-year-old Kantharos gelding maintained his advantage into the turn as Matera Sky tried to keep pace with Imperial Hint saving ground in third. As the field straightened away, Matera Sky again took aim at the pacesetter, but X Y Jet found another gear and flew home a length and a half winner. X Y Jet completed 1200m in a final running time of 1:10.75.

A game and determined Matera Sky stayed on for second, a half-length in front of Imperial Hint. Promises Fulfilled rallied belatedly up the rail to finish fourth with Drafted, Fight Hero, Nine Below Zero, Switzerland, and Tato Key completing the order of finish. Roy H was a nonstarter.

X Y Jet, bred in Florida by Didier Plasencia, improved his record to 12-7-2 from 24 starts, while banking US $1.5 million to bring his bankroll to $3,095,513.

QUOTES

Jorge Navarro, Trainer, X Y JET (1st)—“I don't know what I'm feeling right now. I guess it will hit me later on. I do feel a lot of pride in my horse. They knocked him and they forgot he lost twice here by a nose. But he did it today. He won the race and he was the best against the best horses here tonight."

Emisael Jaramillo, Jockey, X Y JET (1st)—“I'm very happy. For me, this is so special. I'm very excited. I've come back two times and now I've won today, it's very emotional for everyone with the horse. What a horse he is."

Brian Trump, representing owner Rockingham Ranch, XY Jet (1st) —"I can't believe he did it. Defeat in the past has made this victory that much sweeter. Today, it was his time. It was obviously disappointing when Roy H came out, but when this horse is on his game, he's very hard to beat in anything he contests. He looked very strong the entire way around, he was in the position he needed to be in, but seeing him cross that line was so exciting. He's such a special horse and the team has done a tremendous job with him."

Hideyuki Mori, Trainer , MATERA SKY (2nd)—“He ran really well today. This was his first time sitting off the pace like that and he showed great restraint saving himself for the final part of the race. I’m very happy with his performance. Hopefully we can take him abroad again, maybe to the Breeders’ Cup."

Yutake Take, Jockey, MATERA SKY (2nd)—“He ran a very good race and moved nicely throughout. He was in top shape and handled the ground even better today than he did during the week in training. He put in a very good effort against a top American challenger. A performance like that give us hope we can take him to the US in the future.”

Jose Ortiz, Jockey, IMPERIAL HINT (3rd)—“The winner X Y Jet outbroke me so I had to track him. The pace wasn’t that fast, so X Y Jet was able to get a pretty easy time in front and that’s why I came out three-wide before the turn to challenge. My guy ran on pretty good but I never felt we were going to get there. With a stronger pace it might have been different.”

Robby Albarado, Jockey, PROMISES FULFILLED (4th)—“He missed the break a little bit and that cost him his position. This kind of races you can't make any mistakes and he did, a little mistake there."

Patrick Dobbs, Jockey, DRAFTED (5th)—“He had a disaster run. He jumped OK but the horse on the outside came over and he got taken out of the race. He resented the kickback after that but has run an amazing race to finish fifth.”

Joao Moreira, Jockey, FIGHT HERO (6th)—“He did not travel during the race, which we expected, but I had to work harder than I thought. He did pass some horses so he did bring his best but I just think my horse found the company too hot. Both the trainer and I are satisfied with his performance.”

Adrie de Vries, Jockey, NINE BELOW ZERO (7th)—“It was going fast. I was travelling really well, a little bit too much forward. But he jumped well so I had to follow them, keep the momentum. He got tired half way through the straight.”

Mickael Barzalona, Jockey, SWITZERLAND (8th)—“He broke OK, but they took me off and it was a fast race for him."

Shane Foley, Jockey, TATO KEY (9th)—“That was a different race from the ones he’s been in here this year. They went so hard from the start and he was on the back foot all the time.”