Paramount Prince added another stakes victory to an already distinguished career Saturday at Woodbine, pulling away late to win the inaugural $150,000 Caledon Stakes by 2¾ lengths.
Caledon Stakes
Paramount Prince Caledon Stakes marked another notable chapter for the six-year-old, who has established himself among the leading Ontario-bred runners of his generation.
The 1 1/16-mile Caledon Stakes was one of four new $150,000 events introduced by the Ontario Thoroughbred Improvement Program for Registered Ontario Breds aged four and older. The race was contested over Woodbine’s main track.
Paramount Prince broke cleanly under Fraser Aebly and immediately secured the lead. Saugeen settled close behind, with Wicked Django and Rapid Test tracking the early pace.
The Mark Casse-trained gelding travelled comfortably through the opening quarter in :24.93, maintaining a two-length advantage over Saugeen. Wicked Django remained close to the inside, while Rapid Test raced another 1½ lengths back.
The tempo remained steady through the half-mile in :49.25, but the complexion of the race began to change approaching the final turn. Wicked Django moved forward and drew almost level with Paramount Prince as the field straightened for home.
Aebly asked his mount for more, and Paramount Prince responded. The veteran runner found another gear in the stretch and gradually opened daylight, finishing strongly to secure the victory in 1:42.98.
Wicked Django was second, 5¾ lengths ahead of Rapid Test. Saugeen finished fourth, while Runaway Again and Sedburys Ghost were scratched.
The victory added another stakes success to the résumé of Paramount Prince, whose biggest achievement came in the 2023 King’s Plate. His record also includes Sovereign Award honours as the 2024 Champion Older Dirt Male and 2023 Champion Three-Year-Old Colt.
Paramount Prince began his career at Woodbine with a six-furlong maiden optional claiming victory on Nov. 12, 2022. A strong three-year-old season culminated in his Plate success before he moved on to graded company.
In 2024, he captured the Dominion Day Stakes (G3), then followed that performance by winning the Seagram Cup (G2).
The son of Society’s Chairman, out of the Platinum Steel mare Eddington, now owns a record of 10 wins, three seconds and seven thirds from 25 starts.
Bred in Ontario by Ericka Rusnak, Paramount Prince was purchased for C$21,000 at the 2021 CTHS sale. His latest victory further strengthens a résumé that already includes some of the most important races on the Woodbine calendar.
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