Xtra Heat sizzles in desert work

Xtra Heat signaled her readiness to keep the Dubai Golden Shaheen title in the United States with a blistering workout at Nad Al Sheba on Wednesday.

The 5-year-old Xtra Heat was timed in 58.80 seconds for five furlongs, with trainer John Salzman in attendance. Xtra Heat is the probable favorite in a 10-horse Golden Shaheen field that will include three other American trainees: Avanzado, Captain Squire, and My Cousin Matt.

The Golden Shaheen, a six-furlong straight race on Dubai World Cup night, March 29, has been won three straight times by an American horse: Big Jag in 2000 and Caller One in 2001 and 2002.

Xtra Heat arrived in Dubai last week and was joined by 12 other American horses on Monday. A record 13 U.S. entries will be on hand for the six Thoroughbred races on the $15.25 million Dubai World Cup card. The four sprinters will be joined by Harlan's Holiday and Blue Burner (recently sold to an undisclosed local owner) in the $6 million World Cup; Outta Here and Byzantium in the $2 million UAE Derby; defending champ Grey Memo, Easyfromthegitgo, Lusty Latin, and Mr. John in the Godolphin Mile; and Cayoke in the $2 million Dubai Duty Free.