It was a good day in the desert for OBS graduates, with X Y Jet taking the Golden Shaheen (G1) and Coal Front scoring in the Godolphin Mile (G2) on Dubai World Cup Day at Meydan.
The third time was the charm for Rockingham Ranch & Gelfenstein Farm’s X Y Jet in the $2,500,000 Golden Shaheen (G1). After a narrow loss to fellow OBS graduate Mind Your Biscuits a year ago and a second place finish in 2016, the 7-year-old Florida-bred son of Kantharos took the lead at the start and never looked back, leading from gate to wire and scoring by a length and a half. Trained by Jorge Navarro, he now boasts five graded stakes wins, compiled a 25-12-7-2 career record and earned $3,098,609 to date. The two time OBS graduate was first consigned by Two Sharp Hats to the 2013 Winter Mixed Sale before they sold him for $56,000 at the 2013 August Selected Yearling Sale. Selected Sale conformation photo
It’s the eighth victory in the Golden Shaheen (G1) by an OBS graduate. Mind Your Biscuits took the last two renewals, following Secret Circle (2015), Big City Man (2009), Saratoga County (2005) and Caller One in 2001 and 2002.
Robert LaPenta and Head of Plains Partners LLC’s Coal Front sat just off the pace on the outside in the $1,500,000 Godolphin Mile (G2), went after last year’s winner Heavy Metal (GB) down the stretch and caught him in the shadow of the wire for the victory. It’s the third straight graded stakes win and fifth overall for the newest OBS millionaire, now 9-7-0-0 for trainer Todd Pletcher with $1,679,138 in earnings. The 5-year-old son of Stay Thirsty was purchased for $575,000 by Steven W. Young on behalf of Mr. LaPenta at the 2016 OBS April Sale after turning in an Under Tack quarter in :21 1/5. watch his under tack video