"She got a little cast over in Dubai, but she bounced back from that and was doing a lot better," Salzman said. "I hate to see her retired because we've sure had a lot of fun with her, but then again she's done just about all she could do on the racetrack. It's good for her to go out on top."Classic Star privately purchased the 5-year-old daughter of Dixieland Heat for $1.5 million after she failed to meet her reserve and was bought back for $1.7 million at the 2002 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky November select sale. Taylor Made Sales Agency consigned her to that sale on behalf of trainer Salzman Sr., Kenneth Taylor, and Harry Deitchman.
Champion Xtra Heat has been sent to David Plummer's ClassicStar Farm near Versailles, Ky. where she will be bred. The mare arrived at her owner's farm on April 18.John Freston, ClassicStar racing manager, said the grade I winner was not officially retired and could return to the track if she fails to get in foal."She's not officially retired," Freston said. "We are going to attempt to breed her, and the success or failure of that could determine her future plans," Freston said.Mating plans are incomplete at this time. "She looks great, she feels great and is not injured. We just felt it was time to breed her. She has accomplished so much on the track. Short of winning the Dubai race, which only comes around once a year, there is nothing left for her to accomplish on the track," Freston said. Xtra Heat leaves the track with an impressive resume. She has a lifetime record of 26-5-2 from 35 starts. The 5-year-old daughter of Dixieland Heat earned $2,389,635. Xtra Heat won only one grade I stakes, with six grade II and four grade III wins. She challenged the boys five times, and beat them once -- in the 2002 Phoenix Breeders' Cup (gr. III), a six-furlong sprint last fall at Keeneland.Xtra Heat established a new record for most stakes wins by a filly or mare, recording her 25th win in added-money company, with her 1 3/4-length victory in the Feb. 22 Barbara Fritchie Handicap (gr. II) at Laurel Park. Three-time champion Susan's Girl held the previous record of 24.Xtra Heat was entered in the March 29 Golden Shaheen (UAE-II) but was scratched the day before the race. Trainer John Salzman said he was cast in her stall.
