Indictment Details Alleged Doping of X Y Jet

One of four indictments released in a United States District Court March 9 that charges prominent trainers Jorge Navarro and Jason Servis with doping-related crimes also specifically details drugging allegations regarding Navarro trainee X Y Jet, who died of an apparent heart attack in early January.

Under a section of the indictment titled "Doping X Y Jet," the indictment states that Navarro and others administered several adulterated and misbranded performance-enhancing drugs designed to evade drug tests prior to the gelding's victories in a Feb. 13, 2019 allowance optional claiming race at Gulfstream Park, and the March 30, 2019 Dubai Golden Shaheen Sponsored by Gulf News (G1) at Meydan. X Y Jet won both races, the latter a $2.5 million event.

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According to the indictment, Navarro and Marcos Zulueta, another defendant, spoke via telephone on or about Feb. 9, 2019 and discussed Navarro's need for a particular customized PED referred to as a "blocker" that would be administered to X Y Jet. Zulueta agreed to supply the PED by an overnight shipment.

The indictment adds that Navarro attempted to source additional PEDs, including additional doses of the blocker, from Christopher Oakes and veterinarian Gregory Skelton, both of whom are also listed as defendants. On Feb. 10, 2019, Navarro wrote to Oakes: "Do u have any of that new block the dr makes(?)" Oakes agreed to procure and deliver the blocker to Navarro before X Y Jet's upcoming race at Gulfstream.

The following day Navarro complained to Zulueta about X Y Jet's performance in a pre-race work and informed Zulueta that he had worked with Oakes to obtain the blocker for the horse. Navarro and Oakes formed a plan to secretly introduce a bottle of the blocker into the barn where X Y Jet was located before the allowance-level race at Gulfstream. Oakes confirmed he would smuggle the blocker into the racetrack and meet Navarro inside.

On or about race day, Navarro instructed Oakes to visit X Y Jet to administer the blocker and, if necessary, lie to racing officials in order to access the horse.

"Drive through. If anything, if they stop you, you are an owner and you come to Navarro's barn," Navarro instructed Oakes.

The indictment also notes that on or about March 22, 2019 just more than a week out from the Dubai Golden Shaheen, Navarro was in the United Arab Emirates with X Y Jet and personally administered various adulterated and misbranded PEDs to the horse, including a substance Navarro called "monkey."

The indictment said that substance, erythropoietin (Epogen or EPO), is a blood-builder that can increase stamina. The indictment also notes that erythropoietin and its analogues can increase cardiac exertion and pressure and lead to cardiac issues including death.

Navarro and Zulueta allegedly discussed April 3, 2019 an administration of PEDs to X Y Jet in the weeks leading up to and on the day of the Golden Shaeen, in which Navarro said: "I gave it to him through 50 injections. I gave it to him through the mouth."

Following X Y Jet's Golden Shaheen victory, defendant and veterinarian Seth Fishman, who allegedly manufactured and shipped illegally misbranded and adulterated PEDs developed in a facility not registered with the Food and Drug Administration to manufacture and compound new animal drugs, texted Navarro to congratulate the trainer.

Navarro replied, in part: "Thank u boss u are a big part of it."

BloodHorse was unable to reach Navarro for comment Monday.

Navarro announced Jan. 8 that X Y Jet, who turned 8 this year, had died from a heart attack.

X Y Jet entered Navarro's care at the end of 2014. He was campaigned by Gelfenstein Farm throughout his 26-race career and Rockingham Ranch took part ownership of the horse in 2016. David Bernsen assumed a 10% interest of X Y Jet in early December 2019 as part of a partial restructuring and dispersal of horses he owned in partnership with Rockingham Ranch.

X Y Jet's final race was the Dec. 21, seven-furlong Mr. Prospector Stakes (G3) at Gulfstream. He finished last of six after leading the first half-mile in :43.85.

The multiple stakes-winning Florida-bred son of Kantharos —Soldiersingblues, by Lost Soldier, underwent three knee surgeries and compiled more than $3 million in earnings, $1.5 million of which he earned from winning the Golden Shaheen.