Principe Guilherme to makes stakes debut in Lecomte

Principe Guilherme, the very promising 2-year-old, will make his stakes debut Jan. 13 at Fair Grounds in the Lecomte Stakes, according to trainer Steve Asmussen.

Principe Guilherme, a 2-year-old by Tapit, won his debut over seven furlongs Nov. 10 at Churchill by 6 1/4 lengths. He ran back Saturday in a two-turn, first-level allowance race, made an easy lead, and sped away from his rivals through the homestretch, winning by 11 3/4 lengths and running one mile, 70 yards in 1:42.94. The time produced a Beyer Speed Figure of 92, the fifth-highest Beyer for a 2-year-old racing at one mile or longer during 2017.

"It was what I was hoping to see first time two turns," Asmussen said.

Asmussen said he was pleased with Principe Guilherme’s relaxed approach to his two-turn debut, and that the colt generally has displayed a good temperament.

“I thought he handled beautifully in the race. He’s a very good Tapit. I think he’s got elite talent and he’s full of himself,” Asmussen said.

Principe Guilherme is out of the Grade 1-winning mare Aubby K, who herself is out of another Grade 1 winner, Lilly Capote. Three Chimneys Farm bred and owns Principe Guilherme.

Asmussen also won a 2-year-old maiden route race Saturday with Zing Zang, another Tapit colt who rallied from 11th to win by more than two lengths while making his third start. Asmussen said there are no concrete plans yet for Zing Zang, who earned a career-best 82 Beyer.

“Let’s see how he trains off this, but I definitely think he’s stakes quality, but he’s going to need races long enough for him to prove that,” said Asmussen.