by Emily Gaskin, for Hoosier Park Racing and Casino

Anderson, IN — American Girl and driver Peter Wrenn found the winner’s circle for the second consecutive time after turning in a sharp, front running effort to capture the $22,000 Fillies and Mares Invitational at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino on Friday (April 4).

In just her second start of the season, American Girl switched up her tactics from the previous week and was a decisive winner in 1:55.1 over a track rated good.

Linscott Photography

American Girl and Peter Wrenn won the $22,000 Mares Invitational Pace at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino.

Leaving from post seven, Wrenn made his mind up early and sent American Girl firing from the gate while the rest of the field battled for early position. Securing the top spot, American Girl dictated early fractions of :27 and :56.3 while Sectionline Yankee and Sam Widger benefitted from a pocket trip. The public’s second choice, Blissful Romance and Ricky Macomber, Jr., made a costly break around the first turn and were unable to recover.

American Girl went uncontested down the backside as the field remained in single file order. Igottafeelinfran and Brad Hanners were the first to commit to the outer flow as the field approached the three-quarter clocking in 1:26.4. Ross Leonard had Nutmegs Yankee well placed second over and the rest of the field began to tighten up turning for home.

Igottafeelinfran appeared to be up to the task, but American Girl saved her best for last. Wrenn asked her for more and American Girl dug in gamely with a :28.2 final quarter to put a nose in front. Nutmegs Yankee rallied late in the stretch for the second place finish while Igottafeelinfran held on for third. As the odds-on favorite, American Girl returned $4.00 for the win.

“She raced good last week,” winning driver Peter Wrenn noted in the winner’s circle, “But she was really on her game tonight.”

Trained by Ernie Gaskin, American Girl notched her 16th win from 57 career stars while amassing $392,658 in purse earnings. The 5-year-old daughter of Art’s Chip-L Dees Lourdes is owned by Darla Gaskin and Stanley Rosenblatt.

The victory was also a driving double for Peter Wrenn on the evening’s 11-race card as he scored with Good Sound Advice in 1:57.4 earlier in the evening.