Xigera, winner of the Tepin Stakes over the turf at Ellis Park in July, handled the switch to the main track with aplomb as she cruised to a six-and-a-quarter length victory in the Seneca Overnight Stakes at Churchill Downs on Saturday, 23 September.
The three-year-old Nyquist filly, who finished third in the G1 Darley Alcibiades last season in her previous start on dirt, improved her record to four wins in eight starts. The dark bay/brown filly has won three of her last four starts.
Partnered once again by jockey Julien Leparoux, Xigera tracked pacesetter She’s Lookin Lucky from second through the early stages of the 8.5-furlong contest. Xigera moved into contention on the far turn and quickly overhauled She’s Lookin Lucky, displaying a powerful closing kick on her way to posting a six-and-a-quarter length victory.
Bred in Kentucky by Cedar Hill LLC, Xigera is out of Argent Affair, a Stakes-winning daughter of Black Tie Affair. In addition to Xigera, Argent Affair has produced Graded Stakes winner Forty Under (Uncle Mo) and Graded Stakes-placed Myriskyaffair (Verrazano).
Xigera is one of seven Black Type winners in 2023 for her sire Nyquist, a list that is led by G1 Alabama Stakes winner, Randomized. Additional Stakes winners this year include the talented juvenile filly, Crimson Advocate, winner of the G2 Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot; New York Thunder, dominating winner of the G2 Amsterdam Stakes at Saratoga, as well as Stakes winners Johannes, Hacking It Up and Flying Connection.
