Today in Racing History is an occasional feature focusing on some of racing history’s interesting, important, or unusual events.
by Richard Hackerman
Xtra Heat bursts through the fog to win the Fritchie. Photo by Laurie Asseo.
February 22, 2003
In her final race, the remarkable XTRA HEAT barrels through the fog to win the Grade 2 Barbara Fritchie Handicap at Laurel Park under Rick Wilson.
Sent off as the even-money favorite to defend her Fritchie title, Xtra Heat defeated highly regarded Carson Hollow, trained by Rick Dutrow, by nearly two lengths in a dense fog. Prior to the race, Dutrow had predicted that his horse would take the measure of Xtra Heat and the others and earn what would have been the third graded stake win of her career.
Xtra Heat. Photo by Laurie Asseo.
After the race, a gloating John Salzman, Sr., Xtra Heat’s trainer, offered this response to Dutrow, according to the Baltimore Sun: “Your horse ran good, but you were running for second only.”
Under Salzman’s tutelage and owned by him in partnership with Kenneth Taylor for most of her career, the little mare won 26 of 35 starts and over $2 million. She was named champion 3 year old filly in 2001 after winning nine stakes and running a close second in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint.
SOURCES
- “Fritchie fog no sweat for Xtra Heat,” Baltimore Sun, February 23, 2003
- Xtra Heat profile on Equibase
