A triumphant weekend unfolded for Canadian-bred horses, with three stakes champions and a commanding victory for the 2023 King's Plate victor.
The comeback of Paramount Prince, the 2023 King's Plate hero, was a standout moment. The chestnut gelding, owned by Mike Langlois and Gary Barber, secured victory in an allowance/optional claiming race on Tapeta at Gulfstream Park on March 10, covering 1 1/8 miles.
Trained meticulously by Mark Casse, Paramount Prince, the favourite at 3-to-5 odds, led from start to finish, clocking fractions of 24.09, 47.48, and 1:11.53. Under the expert guidance of Irad Ortiz, the four-year-old crossed the line in 1:48.55, earning an 89 Beyer Speed Figure, as reported by Daily Racing Form.
This race marked Paramount Prince's return to the track following a disappointing 13th-place finish at the Breeders' Stakes last October. Notably, he had previously clinched third place in the Prince of Wales Stakes, showcasing his prowess after his Plate Trial and Plate victories.
Bred by Ericka Rusnak, Paramount Prince, also known as 'Maverick', boasts a three-year-old half-brother named Its Time to Shine, under the care of owner/trainer John Ross, along with a two-year-old filly, Souper Supreme, and a yearling filly sired by Silent Name (Jpn).