LAUREL, MD. 03-02-12---Laurel Park-based sprinting sensation Xtra Heat is one of the finalists for the National Museum of Racing’s 2012 Hall of Fame.

Purchased at the Timonium sale by co-owners Kenneth Taylor, Harry Deitchman and trainer John Salzman Sr., the daughter of Dixieland Heat won 26 times in 35 career races for nearly $2.4 million. Xtra Heat earned the Eclipse Award for top three-year old filly in 2001, winning four graded races and was in the money all 13 times. She gained the national spotlight with two superb efforts against the boys: a gallant second in the $1,000,000 Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) in October and a gutsy third in the Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash (G1) a month later.

“She was a runner from the day we got her,” Salzman said. “You could tell she was nice filly. She took us to Dubai, Florida. We went everywhere with her and she was always on the front line.”

Xtra Heat retired after a score in the G2 Barbara Fritchie Handicap in 2003, her 25th stakes victory, moving her ahead of 1970’s champion Susan’s Girl for most added money victories by a filly or mare. Ten of the wins were in graded company.

Other finalists include 1991 De Francis Dash winner Housebuster.

The results of the voting on contemporary candidates will be announced April 23. The induction ceremony will be held at the Fasig-Tipton Sales Pavilion in Saratoga Springs on August 10.