SerpApi.Org
American Women chases her first stakes success when she goes postward in Saturday’s $175,000 Hendrie (G3) at Woodbine.
Owned by Anderson Farms Ontario Inc., Hidden Springs Inc., Nicholas G. Pelligreen, Lanni Bloodstock and Zilli Racing, the 4-year-old daughter of Constitution out of the Smart Strike mare Smartly Agree will take on eight rivals in the 6 ½-furlong main track sprint for fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up.
Trained by Kevin Attard, American Women, bred in Kentucky by Breffni Farm, was second in her most recent start, a six-furlong allowance optional claimer on May 31.
After settling off the pace under a good hold early, the bay filly split foes in upper stretch and closed energetically to net the runner-up spot.
“When she got it in gear, she came with a nice run,” said Attard. “We’ve seen that from her before. It took her a little while to figure things out early on in her career, but she has continued to improve as she’s gone on. It would be nice to see her get a stakes win. On her best day, she’s more than capable of that.”
One race before, on May 2, American Women contested her first graded stakes, the $150,000 Whimsical (G3), also at six furlongs on the main track, and finished fifth.
She arrived at the Whimsical off a pair of winning efforts, including a 4 ¾-length score over six panels on the Gulfstream dirt track on March 26 in her seasonal debut.
“She set the early tone and just kept on with it,” said Attard. “She looked comfortable in the early going – you could see her running very confidently – and down the lane she just drew off with that same confidence. It was a good way to start her campaign. We thought she would run well based on how she had worked and she certainly did.”
On Nov. 8, American Women recorded a 1 ½-length victory at 6 ½ furlongs over the Woodbine main track to conclude her 3-year-old campaign.
“That was a completely different race, in terms of how she won it,” said Attard. “She came from out of the clouds and drove to the lead. I thought it was very impressive. If there was any similarity to the race at Gulfstream, it was how focused and strong she was in the late going. It was a good way to end off on a winning note.”
Sporting a mark of 3-2-1 from 12 starts ($155,720 in purse earnings), American Women has also competed at Churchill Downs, Ellis Park and Keeneland.
Beresford Lee is the groom.
Recent works: On July 9, American Women breezed four furlongs in :48.00 over the main track. Ten days later, at the same distance and over the same ground, she posted a bullet :46.60.
“She has a lot of confidence in the mornings,” said Attard. “She came out of the last race in good order and had two nice works. She galloped out strong in both and came back to the barn feeling good. Hopefully, these set her up for a big one on Saturday.”
Fast Facts: La Voyageuse (1979-80) and El Prado Essence (2002-03) both won the race on two occasions. Trudie Tudor won the inaugural running in 1975.
Wagering menu for the Hendrie: Includes Rolling Double / Exacta / 0.20 Trifecta / .20 Superfecta / 0.20 Pick 3 (Races 9-10-11) / $1 Swinger
Field for the Hendrie Stakes (G3)
- Without Cause – Emma-Jayne Wilson – Mark Casse
- Creed’s Gold – Rafael Hernandez – Mark Casse
- Uphill Dance – Jose Campos – Rachel Halden
- Slang (S) – Romero Ramsay Maragh – Anna Meah
- She’s All Charm – Ryan Munger – Eoin Harty
- Reagan’s Flame – Sahin Civaci – Saffie Joseph, Jr.
- Kehoe Beach (S) – Pietro Moran – Wesley Ward
- American Women – Jalon Samuel – Kevin Attard
- Time to Dazzle – Fraser Aebly – Mark Casse
