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Originally Posted by Sightseek
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By the way - Xtra Heat's defeat in the Test Stakes her 3yo season was absolutely one of the most impressive performances in defeat of this decade among races not involved in the BC or Triple Crown series.
I thought she had next to no chance against Victory Ride that day - and that Xtra Heat was wildly overrated ... that performance turned me from a mocker into a fan of hers.
I can't think of any bigtime horse over the last 10 years who my opinion shifted on so strongly after a single losing performance. She was amazing that day - and dueled two VERY fast good fillies into complete submission - both were just about eased ... and she surprisingly fought Victory Ride hard through the stretch after Victory Ride had one of the dreamiest trips a horse can possibly have.
People might not remember Victory Ride so well ... but she was an awesome filly. Won her debut by almost 15 lengths and ran a 108 Beyer for Rusty Arnold. The Test was only her 4th start - she was injured shortly after the race and didn't run again for almost a year.
Vol Jack will surely come around to point out that she also got a 7lbs weight break from Xtra Heat that day. Every little thing and every big thing went in her favor.
Victory Ride went off the 7/5 favorite and Xtra Heat was like 2/1 or 5/2 so it was no upset ... but I thought XH didn't have a prayer in the world and she was without a doubt much the best.