King’s Plate winner PARAMOUNT PRINCE (Society’s Chairman) had his first workout of 2024 as a newly turned four-year-old on January 3 at Casse Training Center. The chestnut, owned by Mike Langlois and Gary Barber, went 3 furlongs in 37.40 breezing on the dirt at trainer Mark Casse’s track in Ocala, Florida.
Bred by Ericka Rusnak, Paramount Prince is favoured to be voted Canada’s Champion three-year-old colt or gelding for the 49th Sovereign Awards. Incidentally, voting for the Sovereign Awards opens on Friday, Jan. 5 to some three dozen voters across Canada.
Casse told Canadian Thoroughbred that while there is no immediate goal for Paramount Prince, he is hoping to have him make his first start of the year by the end of February.
Another top three-year-old of 2023, KAUKOKAIPUU, trained by Ted Holder, is south and prepping in Florida with a possible journey to Barbados and the Sandy Lane Gold Cup, which is on the first Saturday in March at the Garrison Savannah.
Also working at Casse Training Center on Jan. 3 were other Sovereign Award possible finalists PALAZZI, 49.40 for 4 furlongs and ICE CHOCOLAT (Brz) 50.20. Turf and sprinter contender LUCKY SCORE had a troubled outing for the Casse and Barber team in the Grade 2 Joe Hernandez Stakes at Santa Anita on Dec. 31.
A top contender for OUTSTANDING JOCKEY, SAHIN CIVACI is scheduled to ride in New York this winter while RAFAEL HERNANDEZ will be riding at Turfway Park in Kentucky where trainer Josie Carroll has a strong barn of 11 horses.
