Parranda Edges Kathleen Rose in Royal Heroine

Multiple Grade 3 winner Parranda notched her first victory at the Grade 2 level in the $200,000 Royal Heroine Stakes at Santa Anita.

Breaking from the outside post, Parranda and jockey Elvis Trujillo had to vie for position going into the first turn. The 5-year-old mare entered the turn two wide, just off of Kathleen Rose and tracked closely by Dutchessa, who made a move for the lead early in the backstretch run.

Kathleen Rose, breaking from post number nine, was sharp out of the gate and decidedly took the lead. Under Edgar Prado, the leader set a moderate pace from her inside position, going :23.72, :47.66 and 1:11.20 for the opening quarters.

Parranda challenged Kathleen Rose turning for home and the pair dueled the last quarter-mile. Parranda finally ran down her rival to finish a neck in front a the wire. The running time for the mile turf route was 1:35.27.

It was another 2 1/2 lengths back to Moulin de Mougin in third place. Wishing Gate was another three lengths in fourth.

Favored at 2-1, the winner paid $6.20, $3.60 and $2.80. Kathleen Rose paid $5.00 and $4.00 for place and show, respectively. Moulin de Mougin rounded out the trifecta, offering $6.60 for the show bet.

Bred in Florida by Kinsman Farm, Parranda is by English Channel, out of Dynamic Feature by Rahy. The winner is owned by the partnership of Clark, Campbell, Gatto Racing LLC, Hollendorfer, and Skoda.

The Royal Heroine was Parranda's third start since moving to the barn of co-owner/trainer Jerry Hollendorfer prior to her victory in the Grade 3 Wilshire on April 27. She improves her lifetime record to 10 wins, two seconds and three thirds from 24 starts with earnings of $668,655. Three of her wins have come in 2014, where Parranda has a record of 4-0-1 from six starts so far on the year.