Gun Runner’s undefeated 3-year-old colt Paladin moved to the top of the Kentucky Derby (G1) leaderboard with his victory Saturday at Fair Grounds in the Risen Star S. (G2).
Paladin picked up 50 points in the Road to the Derby and now has a total of 60, virtually assuring himself a spot in the May 2nd Run for the Roses.
In Saturday’s 1 1/8-mile affair, Paladin was making his first appearance since winning the Remsen S. (G2) in early December. Away well at the start, Paladin was fourth between horses around the first turn. He moved to the three-path on the backstretch and advanced to within a length of pacesetter Chip Honcho going into the far turn.
Chip Honcho held his margin around the turn and into the stretch before Paladin began to eat into the lead. A final surge inside the final sixteenth carried Paladin to a half-length victory in 1:49.14 on a fast track.
“I’m very thankful for the entire ownership team and Chad Brown for giving me the opportunity to ride such a nice horse,” winning jockey Tyler Gaffalione said. “He really fought hard today to get the win. The more I asked of him, the more he was able to dig in to get by (Chip Honcho).”
Owned by Mrs. John Magnier, Michael B. Tabor, Derrick Smith, Peter M. Brant, Brook T. Smith and Summer Wind Equine, LLC, the latter also the colt’s breeder, Paladin has earned $484.250 in his three victories.
“It was an incredible performance today,” Brook Smith said. “He dug in late to get by (Chip Honcho). He’s an incredibly talented horse. Hopefully, we’ll have him back in Kentucky in April then onto the Derby a month later.”
One of Gun Runner’s 35 graded stakes winners, Paladin is Gun Runner’s fifth stakes winner this year.
