American Women Targets First Stakes Victory in Woodbine's Hendrie
American Women, a prominent four-year-old mare, is poised to contend for her first career stakes triumph in the Grade 3 Hendrie Stakes scheduled for Saturday at Woodbine. This highly anticipated event will see her compete against eight formidable rivals in a 6 1/2-furlong sprint on the main track, a race designed for fillies and mares aged three and up. Her campaign leading up to this point has been characterized by steady progress and notable finishes, setting the stage for a compelling performance.
Under the expert tutelage of trainer Kevin Attard, American Women, a progeny of Constitution out of the Smart Strike mare Smartly Agree, has demonstrated significant potential. Her most recent outing on May 31 at Woodbine saw her secure a strong second place in a six-furlong allowance optional claimer. In that race, she skillfully navigated through the field, making a powerful closing move in the stretch after patiently tracking the pace. Attard remarked on her performance, noting her impressive late acceleration and consistent development throughout her racing career.
Prior to her recent second-place finish, American Women made her graded stakes debut in the Whimsical (G3) on May 2, also contested over six furlongs on the main track, where she finished fifth. This experience followed two consecutive victories, including a dominant 4 3/4-length win over six furlongs on the Gulfstream dirt track on March 26, marking a stellar start to her seasonal campaign. Attard highlighted her confident early pace and strong finish in that race, attributing it to her excellent preparation and inherent abilities.
The mare concluded her three-year-old season on November 8 with an emphatic 1 1/2-length victory over 6 1/2 furlongs at Woodbine. This particular win showcased her versatility, as she rallied from a deep position to claim the lead, a performance that Attard found equally impressive to her front-running victory at Gulfstream. He emphasized her unwavering focus and sustained power in the closing stages, underscoring her potential for success in diverse race scenarios.
With a career record of three wins, two second-place finishes, and one third-place finish from twelve starts, American Women has also competed at prestigious venues such as Churchill Downs, Ellis Park, and Keeneland. Her recent training regimen includes a four-furlong breeze in 48.0 seconds on July 9, followed by an even more impressive bullet work of 46.6 seconds over the same distance ten days later. Attard expressed optimism about her current form, noting her confidence in morning workouts and her robust recovery from previous races, all of which point towards a peak performance on Saturday.
American Women's journey to the Hendrie Stakes represents a culmination of consistent effort and strategic development. Her trainer, Kevin Attard, has carefully guided her progression, allowing her to mature and refine her racing skills. The mare's ability to adapt to different race dynamics, coupled with her proven closing speed and recent sharp workouts, positions her as a strong contender in this Grade 3 event. The anticipation is high for her to achieve her first stakes win, a milestone that would further solidify her promising career.