Parranda (English Channel) took the first step toward's repaying her new owner's $800,000 investment with a win in Gulfstream's GIII Marshua River S. yesterday.
After a series of victories in the Sunshine State early in her career, the 6-year-old was picked up by a partnership that included trainer Jerry Hollendorfer, G. Campbell, D. Clark, G. Skoda and Gatto Racing and transferred to the Hall of Famer's West Coast base. She proved to be a wise investment from the get go with a win in the GIII Wilshire S. Apr. 27, a third in the GI Gamely S. May 26 and a victory in the GII Royal Heroine S. June 28.
Third when trying the synthetic in the GI Clement L. Hirsch S. at Del Mar Aug. 2, the chestnut was second in that venue's GII Yellow Ribbon H. Sept. 1 and filled that spot again in the GI Rodeo Drive S. in Arcadia Sept. 27. Sixth in her final start for those connections in the GI Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf Nov. 1, Parranda sold for $800,000 to the China Horse Club just two days later at the Fasig-Tipton November sale and was placed in the very capable hands of trainer Christophe Clement.
Originally slated to debut for these connections at the China Equine Cultural Festival in Singapore in February, Clement felt the Florida-bred was training so well that she needed to race sooner and entered her in this spot. Keeping close tabs on the leaders from third through an opening quarter in :24.66, the favorite continued to save ground through a half in :48.81 and three-quarters in 1:13.28. Given a perfect ride by John Velazquez, Parranda pounced on longshot leader Skylander Girl at the top of the stretch and swiftly closed the door on that rival to sweeten her homecoming with a decisive victory.
“The filly was bought to run in a race in Singapore in early February,” Clement said. “Obviously she does very well at Gulfstream, but she can always go to Singapore and come back. Why not? It's the best preparation she could have had. She did not have too tough a race. I just hope that she comes out of it in good shape.” The conditioner added, “Amazing trip. There's a reason Johnny Velazquez has been leading rider so many times. This should be the type of race that they show apprentices and young kids. This is a dream as a trainer.”
Saturday, Gulfstream Park
MARSHUA'S RIVER S.-GIII, $150,000, GPX, 1-10, 4yo/up, f/m, 1 1/16mT, 1:42 2/5, fm.
1–PARRANDA, 123, m, 6, by English Channel
1st Dam: Dynamic Feature, by Rahy
2nd Dam: Odylic, by Dixieland Band
3rd Dam: Petite Diable, by Sham
($13,000 2yo '11 OBSAPR; $800,000 HRA '14
FTKNOV). O-China Horse Club; B-Kinsman Farm (FL);
T-Christophe Clement; J-John R Velazquez. $88,350.
Lifetime Record: MGISP, 29-11-4-4, $893,005.
Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Skylander Girl, 119, f, 4, Stroll–Heliotrope, by
Northern Score. (C$3,500 yrl '12 ONTSEP).
O/T-Alexander P Patykewich; B-Auchamore Stud
(ON). $28,500.
3–Why Katherine, 117, m, 6, Whywhywhy–Include
Katherine, by Include. O-Terra Racing Stable; B-Dom
Romeo (ON); T-Tino Attard. $14,250.
Margins: 3, NO, 1HF. Odds: 1.20, 20.50, 19.80.
Also Ran: Scampering, Strike Charmer, Summer Moon (Fr), Candy Kitty, Pappascat, Ready Signal, Alette.
Click for the brisnet.com chart or the brisnet.com PPs. VIDEO.
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