Parranda Steps Up, Wires Suwannee River
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After laying down a dawdling early pace in the $150,000 Suwannee River Stakes (gr. IIIT), Parranda swiftly accelerated entering the stretch to secure a clear victory from charging Riposte Feb. 8 at Gulfstream Park .
The 5-year-old mare by Lane's End resident English Channel foiled the United States debut of highly regarded Royal Ascot winner Riposte as she willingly quickened off the home turn under Jose Lezcano. She opened a two-length advantage and held that margin to the finish line as Riposte, compromised by the pace, charged up the rail from last to take second.
The win as the 2-1 second choice, her first in a graded stakes, was Parranda's fourth from her five most recent starts.
Breaking from post 2 to the outside of Riposte, Parranda made the lead easily and was pressed a half-length back by Abbey Street while ticking off slow fractions of :25.12, :51.27, and 1:15.33 through six furlongs. Malibu Yankee chased from third and Abaco, the 17-10 favorite, tracked from fourth down the backstretch before moving up to third nearing the far turn. Riposte stalked from last along the rail in the seven-horse field for Joel Rosario.
Under Javier Castellano, Abaco bid three wide to challenge around the turn, but she lacked the finishing kick of the winner and runner-up and finished third, a half-length behind Riposte.
Lezcano said that in his own analysis of the race he saw no speed and let his mount go to the front early.
"She broke clean and I tried to slow down the pace as much as I could," he said. "She's the kind of filly, no matter what position she's in, she's going to finish. She has a lot of talent."
Final time for the 1 1/8-mile race on firm turf was 1:49.07.
A three-length winner of the Florida Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Turf Stakes Jan. 18, Parranda stepped up smartly to tally her first graded stakes win in the Suwannee River. Overall, she has an 8-2-2 record from 20 career starts for owner Lone Stable and trainer Rodolfo Garcia. She has banked $448,655.
Parranda paid $6.20, $3.60 and $2.40, while Riposte paid $4.40 and $260. Abaco returned $2.20.
Malibu Yankee finished fourth after chasing from third early, followed by Caroline Thomas, Ainsley, Abbey Street, and Nicki Starshine.
Bred by Kinsman Farm, Parranda is the first starter out of the winning Rahy mare Dynamic Feature, a half sister to grade III Sisterly Love. The extended family includes grade I winner and sire Dixie Brass and multiple grade II winner Odyle. Lone Stable purchased her as a 2-year-old for $13,000 at the 2011 Ocala Breeders' Sales Co. April sale.