Welcome to the Kentucky Derby Prospect Profile. Each week, we’ll spotlight latest winners of the Street to the Derby, a race that may qualify you for the 1-1/4-mile first leg of the Triple Crown on Might 2, 2026 at Churchill Downs.
This week, we’ll take a better take a look at paladina two-length winner of the $250,000 Remsen Stakes at Aqueduct on Dec. 6, earned 10 factors and moved into eighth place on the Street to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard.
Race abstract: Paladin, bought for $1.9 million, made his profession debut on the Massive A meet at Belmont on Oct. 17, 2025, overcoming a disqualification after being hit by Renegade close to the end line in his maiden one-mile particular weight race. Regardless of some outcry on social media in opposition to the stewards’ determination, the duo had a five-and-a-quarter size lead over third place, and their end proved that each Paladin and Renegade are high quality two-year-olds.
Paladin accomplished the final eight miles in 11.94 seconds and the final quarter mile in 23.98 seconds, good outcomes for a 2-year-old in his debut.
Remsen supplied additional proof that each Paladin and Renegade are proficient 2-year-old horses as they as soon as once more ran one-two within the 1 1/8-mile stakes, this time without having to take it to the judges. Paladin picked up the tempo from third place and was handed by Renegade as he approached the ultimate nook behind the pack. Renegade jumped on a well-known foe in jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. Jockey Flavien Prat tilted his mount seven broad and moved to Renegade’s exterior flank getting into the straight. Paladin had his greatest efficiency at Aqueduct on Dec. 6, clocking the ultimate eight miles in 12.72 seconds. It wasn’t fairly pretty much as good as his debut, however it was nonetheless encouraging contemplating he improved on his robust opening half-mile by an extra eight miles in 47.47 seconds, simply two and a half lengths behind.
“He was following the horse effectively, however as quickly as I acquired him out he began operating,” Pratt stated. “It is a good transfer. It is time to begin dreaming. There’s nonetheless an extended method to go. There are a lot of assessments to reply, however right now was race.”
After driving Remsen, coach Chad Brown stated he was happy the colt was in a position to overcome the adversity and win, as Paladin sustained a noticeable wound to his hind leg and misplaced his entrance shoe.
Pace numbers: Paladin improved his Equibase velocity numbers on Remsen from 81 to 92, however his Beyer velocity numbers dropped barely from 87 in his debut win to 85 on Remsen. Though he must be quicker for a 3-year-old horse, the horse’s velocity numbers had been strong as he improved to 1 1/8 miles in simply his second race.
Working type: After setting the tempo in his debut, Paladin gave Remsen’s platform a good ranking and waited to be given the sign earlier than beginning his successful rally. It wasn’t stunning to see him get flustered when Renegade handed him on the closing nook, however he answered questions and seemed skilled in his second race. The truth that he can use his tactical velocity to realize early place and is adaptable ought to serve him effectively on the Derby path.
Pedigree notes: Like Kentucky Jockey Membership Stakes winner Father Add (profiled final week), Paladin is a 2017 Horse of the Yr and a sire of Horse Racing Corridor of Fame inductee Gun Runner in 2024. A number one freshman sire in 2021 and a number one second and third crop sire in 2022 and 2023, Gun Runner is scheduled to compete within the 2024 Longines Breeders’ Cup. Among the many many standouts are Traditional winners Sierra Leone; Different G1 winners across the flip embody 2021 champion 2-year-old filly Echo Zulu, 2022 Preakness winner Early Boating and 2025 NetJets Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies winner Tremendous Corredora.
The Paladin was produced by the unraced Secret Sei by the Stamina-affected Tapit. Paladin’s grandmother (maternal grandmother) is Hennessey-bred, a number of stakes winner and a number of stakes producer India. The household has produced Grade/Group 1 winners Rahy’s Legal professional, Mozu Ascot, To Honor and Serve, La Cara and Angela Renee.
Derby potentialities: Paladin’s first foray into the 2026 Kentucky Derby was fruitful, if not significantly flashy. In his stakes debut, he confirmed a capability to evaluate his followers in an 11-horse subject, dealing with a further 8.5 miles in opposition to significantly better competitors and overcoming adversity regardless of a lower and the lack of a shoe. All of them present a powerful coronary heart that enhances his pure skills.
“I like the truth that not solely did I get Kentucky Derby factors right now, however I additionally acquired schooling,” Brown stated. “The horse sat within the pocket and rode dust for many of the means. He was in a position to pause and transfer across the horse and take that two-turn race to himself as a 2-year-old, which I believe will assist him sooner or later.”
In truth, Paladin appears like a stallion that may deal with 1 1/4 miles, however there’s quite a lot of room for enchancment. Brown despatched the horse to Payson Park in Florida, the place he’ll put together for his 3-year-old season and might be a key issue heading into the Kentucky Derby.
