Woodbine will stage the $175,000 Seagram Cup (G3) on Saturday, with veteran campaigner Paramount Prince returning to defend his title in the 1 1/16-mile main track contest for 3-year-olds and older horses. The Mark Casse-trained runner will be joined by stablemate Lucky Guest as the pair take on seven rivals in one of the season’s notable events at the Canadian track.
Seagram Cup 2026 Preview
Seagram Cup 2026 preview: Paramount Prince aims to add another chapter to his impressive Woodbine record while Lucky Guest makes his first appearance at graded stakes level.
A multiple graded stakes winner and the 2023 King’s Plate champion, Paramount Prince arrives at the race seeking the ninth victory of his career. The 6-year-old enters after a determined second-place finish in the 1 1/8-mile Dominion Day Stakes (G3) on June 27, where he was beaten by only a neck.
“He showed a lot of courage in his last race, which was nice to see,” said Casse. “It’s what we have come to expect from him – an honest, hard-trying effort.”
Owned by Gary Barber and Mike Langlois, Paramount Prince began his career with a victory over the Woodbine main track in November 2022. His 3-year-old season was highlighted by his King’s Plate success, before he secured his first graded stakes victory in the 2024 Dominion Day Stakes and followed that performance with a win in the Seagram Cup.
The son of Society’s Chairman, out of Eddington mare Eddington, has built a record of eight wins, three seconds and seven thirds from 23 starts, with earnings of $1,029,563.
Casse, who has won the Seagram Cup four times, believes Paramount Prince’s greatest strength is his consistency and determination.
“He loves what he does,” Casse said. “He goes out there and puts everything into it. Every now and then, somebody will go and run with him and that ends up to their demise, and sometimes it is his demise as well.”
Bred in Ontario by Ericka Rusnak, Paramount Prince was purchased for $21,000 (Canadian) at the 2021 CTHS sale. Ivan “Billy” Forde looks after the defending champion as his groom.
Stablemate Lucky Guest brings a different profile to the Seagram Cup field. The 4-year-old son of Yoshida (JPN) will step into graded stakes company for the first time after building momentum with two consecutive victories.
Owned by G.G. Racing Stables, Lucky Guest was supplemented to the race and will make only his eighth career start. Casse has been impressed by the gelding’s ability but believes his best performances could still be ahead.
“He is an extremely talented horse,” said Casse. “I think Lucky Guest was a King’s Plate horse and unfortunately, he got hurt. We’ve always liked him. He’s a big, strong boy.”
After finishing fourth in his seasonal debut, Lucky Guest produced a commanding 5¾-length victory over 1 1/16 miles on May 31 before following up with a 1¼-length success over 1 1/8 miles on July 4.
Bred in Ontario by Tara Horse Farm Inc., Lucky Guest was a $35,000 (Canadian) purchase at the 2023 CTHS Premier Yearling Sale. Gareth Daniels is his groom.
Both Casse-trained runners arrive at Woodbine in good condition following recent preparations. Paramount Prince completed four furlongs in :49.80 on July 24, while Lucky Guest covered the same distance in :49.20 on July 22.
“We were not asking him for much, which a week out of the race is what we were looking for,” Casse said of Paramount Prince’s workout. “It was good, exactly what we wanted.”
The Seagram Cup will provide another opportunity for Paramount Prince to add to his decorated career, while Lucky Guest will attempt to announce himself among the division’s rising performers.
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