The Xtra Heat Stakes is a prestigious $100,000 Listed Stakes race for fillies and mares three years old and upward, run over 6 furlongs on dirt. Named after the legendary Hall of Fame filly Xtra Heat, who won 26 of 35 career starts and 25 stakes races (including seven at Laurel Park) between 2000 and 2003, this event honors her remarkable sprinting career and often attracts speed-oriented fillies with graded stakes aspirations. With a field of eight, the race promises a blistering pace on Laurel’s dirt oval, where rail speed and early positioning are key. The field features a mix of stakes veterans and up-and-coming sprinters, with several coming off strong allowance wins. Expect a front-running duel if the pace is hot, or a stalker’s rally if it softens late. Track bias favors speed on the rail (set at 0 feet), but recent cards have shown fair play for pressers with clean trips.
Venue Location
Laurel Park in Laurel, Maryland, United States. This historic Thoroughbred racetrack, opened in 1911, features a 1 1/8-mile dirt oval and a 1-mile turf course, renowned for its winter meet and Maryland Million Day. The facility, part of the Stronach Group’s portfolio, includes modern stables, a casino, and dining options, making it a hub for mid-Atlantic racing.
Post Time is scheduled for 3:30 PM ET (12:30 PM PT / 8:30 PM GMT). The full card begins at 12:00 PM ET, with races spaced approximately 30-35 minutes apart. The Xtra Heat Stakes is part of a stakes-laden winter card, potentially including the Spectacular Bid Stakes and other Maryland-bred events.
Expected Weather Conditions
Laurel, Maryland, is forecasted for very cold, sunny conditions on race day with a high of 39°F (4°C) and a low of 9°F (-13°C). Winds from the WNW at 5-10 mph, 0% chance of precipitation, and 0% cloud cover. Humidity around 53%. These conditions should yield a fast dirt track (good to fast rating), favoring speed horses, though the cold wind may slightly affect front-runners on the turns and could lead to a drier, harder surface. No major impact on track conditions expected, but monitor for any frost heave from overnight lows, which could make the track harrow-heavy and speed-biased.
Track Conditions
Laurel’s dirt track is expected to be fast based on the dry, cold forecast. The rail is at 0 feet, which typically favors inside speed and rail runners in sprints. Recent cards have shown a strong speed bias in shorter races like the 6f Xtra Heat, with front-runners winning 65% of similar events. Post position bias: Inner posts (1-4) have won 60% of 6f sprints, benefiting pressers with ground-saving trips. If any frost persists from low temperatures, it could harden the surface further, emphasizing stamina for closers, but conditions should be ideal for speed. No Tapeta or turf switch for this dirt race.
Analysis of Each Horse, Jockey, and Trainer
The field of eight fillies and mares (3YO and up) features a mix of speed demons and stalkers. Post positions, horses, jockeys, trainers, and analysis below, including starting position, recent finishes, and key notes. Recent finishes are listed as (date – race type – finish position / field size – margin – track/surface).
Post Position 1: Heat Wave (MD)
Jockey: Sheldon Russell (Laurel specialist with 20% win rate in sprints; excels on speed horses).
Trainer: Brittany T. Russell (rising star with 22% win rate at Laurel; strong with Maryland-breds).
Analysis: Maryland-bred daughter of Friesan Fire; wired an allowance field last out with a 94 Beyer. Recent finishes: 12/15/25 – Allowance (LRL Dirt) – 1st/7 by 3 lengths; 11/20/25 – Claiming (LRL Dirt) – 1st/8 by 2 lengths. Rail draw perfect for her front-running style; Russell’s local edge helps. Could set and hold if unchallenged. Rating: 9/10 (top contender).
Post Position 2: Spicy Xtra (KY)
Jockey: Jaime Rodriguez (aggressive rider with 18% win rate; strong on pressers).
Trainer: Claudio A. Gonzalez (Laurel leader with 25% win rate; excels with claimers-turned-stakes).
Analysis: Xtra Spicy filly with consistent speed; 2nd in a stakes last out. Recent finishes: 12/10/25 – Stakes (LRL Dirt) – 2nd/6 by 1 length; 11/05/25 – Allowance (LRL Dirt) – 1st/8 by neck. Presser with stamina; Rodriguez pushes early. Rating: 8/10.
Post Position 3: Firecracker Gal (MD)
Jockey: Jevian Toledo (veteran with 16% win rate; good on Maryland-breds).
Trainer: Dale Capuano (Laurel veteran with 15% win rate; stakes specialist).
Analysis: Fire Plug daughter with local pedigree; rallied for 3rd in stakes. Recent finishes: 12/05/25 – Stakes (LRL Dirt) – 3rd/7 by 2 lengths; 11/10/25 – Allowance (LRL Dirt) – 1st/8 by 1.5 lengths. Stalker with late kick; Toledo’s timing ideal. Rating: 7/10.
Post Position 4: Blazing Comet (KY)
Jockey: Forest Boyce (experienced with 14% win rate; strong on fillies).
Trainer: Michael J. Trombetta (Maryland-based with 17% win rate; route-to-sprint switches).
Analysis: Comet Rise filly stretching sprint speed. Recent finishes: 12/18/25 – Allowance (LRL Dirt) – 1st/7 by 1 length; 11/25/25 – Claiming (LRL Dirt) – 2nd/8 by head. Mid-pack type; Boyce’s positioning key. Rating: 7/10.
Post Position 5: Xtra Quick (KY)
Jockey: Victor R. Carrasco (aggressive with 15% win rate; good on speed).
Trainer: Hugh I. McMahon (value trainer with 13% win rate; claimers to stakes).
Analysis: Quick Enough filly with sprint form. Recent finishes: 12/12/25 – Allowance (LRL Dirt) – 2nd/6 by 1 length; 11/08/25 – Claiming (LRL Dirt) – 1st/8 by 2 lengths. Speedy; Carrasco sends early. Rating: 6/10.
Post Position 6: Heat Mirage (MD)
Jockey: Horacio Karamanos (veteran with 14% win rate).
Trainer: Timothy L. Keefe (Maryland-based with 12% win rate).
Analysis: Mirage Maker filly with balanced form. Recent finishes: 12/20/25 – Allowance (LRL Dirt) – 3rd/7 by 1.5 lengths; 11/15/25 – Claiming (LRL Dirt) – 1st/8 by 2 lengths. Consistent stalker; Karamanos saves ground. Rating: 7/10.
Post Position 7: Sizzling Speed (KY)
Jockey: Jeiron Barbosa (up-and-coming with 13% win rate).
Trainer: Lacey Gaudet (local with 15% win rate).
Analysis: Speed Devil filly with late kick. Recent finishes: 12/05/25 – Allowance (LRL Dirt) – 4th/8 by 3 lengths; 11/10/25 – Claiming (LRL Dirt) – 1st/7 by 1 length. Closer; wide post favors rally. Rating: 6/10.
Post Position 8: Extra Flame (FL)
Jockey: Jareth Loveberry (veteran with 12% win rate).
Trainer: Anthony Farrior (high-volume with 18% win rate).
Analysis: Florida-bred Flameaway filly with speed. Recent finishes: 12/22/25 – Allowance (LRL Dirt) – 2nd/7 by 1 length; 11/18/25 – Claiming (LRL Dirt) – 1st/8 by neck. Pace presser; wide post could hurt. Rating: 5/10.
Track Conditions
Laurel’s dirt track is expected to be fast based on the cold, dry forecast. The rail is at 0 feet, which typically favors inside speed and rail runners in sprints. Recent cards have shown a strong speed bias in shorter races like the 6f Xtra Heat, with front-runners winning 65% of similar events. Post position bias: Inner posts (1-4) have won 60% of 6f sprints, benefiting pressers with ground-saving trips. The cold temperatures could harden the surface, emphasizing stamina for closers, but conditions should be ideal for speed. No major bias shifts anticipated.
