Paladin Dominates the Risen Star and Leads the Road to the Kentucky Derby
- Turf Diario
- 15 hours ago
- 3 min read
The Gun Runner colt narrowly defeated Chip Honcho, further solidifying his status as a top contender on the road to Churchill Downs
NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana (Special to Turf Diario).– On a day where strategy and heart merged on the Fair Grounds oval, Paladin demonstrated why he is widely considered the colt to beat this year. The Chad Brown trainee had to dig deep to reel in the front-running Chip Honcho (Connect) and claim the Risen Star Stakes (G2-1,800m, dirt, $495,000 purse) by a half-length, stopping the clock in an excellent 1:49.14 for the nine furlongs.
With this victory, the color-bearer for the powerful partnership of Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Peter Brant, Brook Smith, and Summer Wind Equine earned 50 qualifying points. This catapults him to the top of the leaderboard on the Road to the Kentucky Derby (G1) with a total of 60 units, virtually securing his spot in the starting gate at Churchill Downs on May 2.
Under the guidance of Tyler Gaffalione, Paladin remained poised in a stalking position throughout. Meanwhile, Chip Honcho, winner of the Gun Runner Stakes (L), set fractions of :23.68, :47.49, and 1:11.53, looking very comfortable following Steven Asmussen’s decision to remove the blinkers.
Turning for home, it appeared the leader had enough in reserve to hold on, but Paladin’s late surge was relentless. "When you call on him, he just keeps finding more; he improves as the distance stretches out," remarked Gaffalione, who received "flawless" praise from Chad Brown, watching the race via telephone. The trainer, however, did not confirm if Gaffalione would retain the mount or if Flavien Prat would return, as the latter was in Saudi Arabia on Saturday winning the Riyadh Dirt Sprint (G2) with Imagination (Into Mischief).
The runner-up spot went to a brave Chip Honcho, who added 25 points (totaling 39), while Golden Tempo (Curlin), winner of the Lecomte (G3), finished a distant third, adding 15 points to his tally. Fourth place went to Universe(Global Campaign) and fifth to Carson Street (Street Sense).
For the Paladin team, history is repeating itself in auspicious fashion. In 2024, this same group won the Risen Starwith champion Sierra Leone (Gun Runner), who went on to win the Blue Grass (G1) before dropping the Kentucky Derby by a mere nose to Mystik Dan (Goldencents). In fact, Brook Smith already hinted at the upcoming plans: "It is very likely you will see us in Kentucky in April," suggesting the Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland will be the final stop before the big dance.
Paladin, a high-priced son of Gun Runner acquired for $1,900,000 at the Saratoga sales, remains undefeated in three starts. He is the first stakes winner for the mare Secret Sigh (by Tapit) and represents a fresh opportunity for Chad Brown to capture the Derby that has eluded him by inches with runners like the aforementioned Sierra Leone, Good Magic (Curlin), and Zandon (Upstart).
With his odds dropping sharply in the Churchill Downs future wagers, Paladin is no longer just a prospect; he is the most tangible reality currently on the Road to the Roses.
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