Gulfstream Park: Parranda defeats odds-on Silsita

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. -- Parranda remained perfect since returning from a summer on the Jersey Shore when rallying to a 1 ¾-length decision over the even-money Silsita in Saturday’s $125,000 Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf Preview.

Parranda returned to south Florida after making four starts this summer at Monmouth Park. She won the Our Dear Peg overnight stakes going a mile here on Sept. 28 before taking on state-bred company for the first time this season in the 1 1/16-mile Sunshine Turf Preview.

With Jose Lezcano aboard, Parranda rated kindly within easy striking distance of the leaders, moved three wide rallying into the stretch, ran down the 30-1 Creative License near mid-stretch, and won going away. Silsita was forced to race wide throughout but continued on willingly to neck Millenia for second money.

Parranda completed the distance in 1:46.33 over a “good” course and paid $8 for the Lone Stable LLC and trainer Rodolfo Garcia.

“She’s come around the last few races,” said Garcia. “I think the trip to Monmouth did her good. Her last race after coming back here was awesome and now she’s repeated it. I’m surprised in her last two races she’s been much closer to the pace. Usually she’s dead last and makes a move.”

* Courtesan ran down the pacesetting Lemon Point to capture the $100,000 Juvenile Fillies Turf.

Courtesan, a 2-year-old daughter of Street Sense, rallied from near the rear of the 11-horse field for owner Ramona Bass and trained Christophe Clement. Graded stakes-placed earlier this year, Courtesan was ridden to victory by Joe Bravo and paid $7.20. Super Fantasy, the tepid 2-1 favorite, finished a tiring seventh after taking a run at the leader approaching the stretch.

* Puddifoot remains undefeated and as yet untested, overcoming early trouble to register an easy six-length victory over 54-1 Sunset Silhouette in the Juvenile Filly Sprint.

Puddifoot, who won her only previous start by nearly five lengths earlier this fall at Monmouth Park, steadied in traffic along the inside in the run down the backstretch before unleashing a powerful run once clear on the turn. Sunset Silhouette was easily second best despite drifting near the end.

Secret Kitten finished a tiring third in a full field of 14 juvenile fillies with Yes Liz fading to sixth as the 8-5 second choice.

Puddifoot is trained by Eddie Plesa Jr. for the partnership of his wife, Laurie Plesa, Trilogy Stable, and EICO Stable. She was ridden to victory by Paco Lopez and returned $5.

* Notyouraveragejoe made his grass debut a winning one, outfinishing the 4-5 Here’s Johnny to upset the $100,000 Juvenile Turf. The victory was the third of the day for jockey Lopez.

Notyouravaeragejoe, a 2-year-old son of Discreet Cat, won his maiden in his previous start over a sloppy track in a race taken off the grass here eight weeks earlier. She paid $68.