BY BROCK SHERIDAN
September 14, 1996 – Florida-bred Diplomatic Jet drew clear in the stretch with jockey Jorge Chavez aboard to win the $400,000 Man o’ War (Grade 1) at Belmont Park, winning by two lengths ahead of fellow Florida-breds Mecke in second with Marlin another three-quarters of length back in third.
A 4-year-old homebred for the 99-year-old Fred W. Hooper, Diplomatic Jet stalked Gilbert G. Campbell’s Marlin through a mile in 1:39.09 before getting clear in deep stretch. He covered the mile-and-three-eighths on a good inner turf course in 2:14.37.
Although it was the second Grade 1 victory in the three months for Diplomatic Jet after winning the $200,000 Early Times Manhattan at Belmont Park in June, he was let go at odds of 11-1, paying $25.20 to win. Those who had the Sunshine State trifecta received a hefty $1,446 payout.
Trained by James Picou, Diplomatic Jet won the Grade 1 Turf Classic Invitational at Belmont three weeks later but finished the year with a disappointing 12th in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf won by Pilsudski (Ire) at Woodbine on Oct. 26.
Diplomatic Jet retired in 1998 with nine wins, five seconds and nine thirds in 51 starts with earnings of $1,267,202.
He began his stallion career in 1999 at Hooper Farms and later stood at Barbara LeCroix’ Meadowbrook at Ocala Jockey Club but had little success as a stallion, having never sired a stakes winner from 13 crops.
Diplomatic Jet was a product of many generations and lines of Fred Hooper breeding.
Hooper bred Diplomatic Jet’s sire, Roman Diplomat, and his dam and dam sire, Precious Jet, by Tri Jet. Roman Diplomat was by Roberto out of the Chieftain mare Goddess Roman. Goddess Roman was out of the Olympia mare, Roman Goddess. Both Goddess Roman and Roman Goddess were bred by Hooper.
Precious Jet was out of the Beat Inflation mare Be a Jewel, who was out of Bright Jewel by Native Charger. Both Be a Jewel and Bright Jewel were bred by Hooper.
