Gulfstream Park: Parranda remains consistent by taking Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Parranda may finally begin to receive the respect she deserves after posting her third stakes victory in the last four starts, and doing so impressively, when she rallied to a three-length triumph over the 24-1 E B Ryder in Saturday’s $150,000 Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf at Gulfstream Park.

Parranda ($7.60), who has not been favored since winning her entry-level allowance condition at Calder nine months ago, circled the leaders Saturday under a decisive move by jockey Jose Lezcano leaving the backstretch of the 1 1/16-mile race. She then continued her surge once settling into the stretch, drawing off to an easy victory over E B Ryder and the 68-1 Nicki Starshine, who finished a nose farther back in third.

Parranda, a daughter of English Channel, added the Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare turf to her victories here last year in the Our Dar Peg and Sunshine Millions Preview stakes. Her only setback during her recent streak came in Calder’s Grade 3 My Charmer in her 2013 finale.

California invader Wishing Gate prompted the early pace but had little left once entering the stretch, fading badly to finish fifth as the 4-5 favorite in a field of seven Florid- bred fillies and mares.

“She used to be way off the pace but she wants to be among them at the beginning,” said Rodolfo Garcia, who trains Parranda for Lone Stable LLC. “She also likes to make her move on the outside and from the one hole, Lezcano placed her right. He waited until he could get to the outside and we got a perfect ride and a perfect win.”

Garcia said he will give Parranda four or five weeks’ rest before considering his options for her later in the meet.