European import Atomic Blonde made a strong first impression in the U.S. on Saturday with a Graded stakes placing in the Orchid Stakes (G3) at Gulfstream, finishing third, beaten 1 3/4 lengths for everything.

Trained by Christophe Clement, the German-bred filly notched a 96 Beyer and an 11 on the Ragozin Sheets. Factoring in early ground loss, her Ragozin figure was one point faster than the 12 that the winner received.

West Point’s Jason Blewitt said, “Super effort and narrowly beaten by two legit class turf horses. Christophe was very happy with Atomic Blonde’s effort and she’ll head up north now.”

With a solid series of long distance turf stakes for fillies and mares on the East Coast, it is exciting to have a filly who could potentially be toward the top of the division.

Previously based in Germany, Atomic Blonde scored a Grade 3 win in Italy last year and finished second in the Grade 2 Oaks d’Italia.

Atomic Blonde winning a Grade 3 in Italy: