Lately, the Remsen Stakes at Aqueduct has produced Kentucky Derby top-three finishers Sierra Leone (second in 2024) and Zandon (third in 2022), a pair of Grade 1 winners skilled by Chad Brown.
Maybe Brown’s newest Remsen starter, Paladin, can rise even greater. Whereas Sierra Leone and Zandon completed second within the Remsen, Paladin gained Saturday’s renewal of the 1 1/8-mile race in decisive trend, suggesting he could have the expertise to take first prize within the 2026 Derby.
Bought for a hefty $1.9 million as a yearling, Paladin has opened his profession with back-to-back wins. He debuted in a one-mile maiden particular weight at Aqueduct, and whereas he crossed the end line second behind a rival named Renegade, the latter colt interfered with Paladin approaching the end line and was disqualified to second place, sending Paladin to the winner’s circle.
Paladin and Renegade met once more within the Remsen. This time, Paladin charged from 2 ½ lengths behind the early leaders to defeat Renegade by two lengths within the time of 1:50.97.
Based mostly off his promising debut, Paladin ranked #10 when the Rookie Rankings kicked off final week. His triumph within the Remsen confirms his ample potential, propelling him up the rankings to the #3 spot.
Renegade can also be making a transfer. He’s technically winless in three begins, however after working effectively twice in opposition to Paladin, he debuts on the Rookie Rankings within the #10 slot, knocking out unbeaten Ed Brown Stakes winner Boyd.
Extra modifications may come to the Rookie Rankings subsequent week. The Street to the Kentucky Derby Introduced by Woodford Reserve continues on Saturday with the Los Alamitos Futurity at Los Alamitos, a race gained final 12 months by future 2025 Kentucky Derby runner-up Journalism.
Right here’s how the newest Rookie Rankings stack up:
1. Ted Noffey: Possible champion two-year-old male is concentrating on a Florida marketing campaign and will return within the Jan. 31 Holy Bull Stakes or Feb. 28 Coolmore Fountain of Youth Stakes.
Proprietor: Spendthrift Farm
Coach: Todd Pletcher
Final Race: 1st, FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Introduced by TAA, Oct. 31 at Del Mar
2. Additional Ado: Lots of Brad Cox’s Kentucky Derby contenders compete at Truthful Grounds and Oaklawn Park in the course of the winter. The Jan. 17 Lecomte Stakes at Truthful Grounds may very well be a logical goal for Additional Ado.
Proprietor: Spendthrift Farm
Coach: Brad Cox
Final Race: 1st, Kentucky Jockey Membership Stakes, Nov. 29 at Churchill Downs
3. Paladin: Stepped ahead off his maiden win to take the Remsen Stakes in tremendous trend. He’s bred to enhance with maturity and relish the Derby’s 1 ¼-mile distance.
House owners: Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Peter Brant, Brook Smith, and Summer season Wind Equine
Coach: Chad Brown
Final Race: 1st, Remsen Stakes, Dec. 6 at Aqueduct
4. Satono Voyage: Satono Voyage is predicated in Japan, however he’ll make his subsequent begin within the Feb. 14 Saudi Derby in Saudi Arabia, a race gained by Japan’s 2024 Kentucky Derby third-place finisher Ceaselessly Younger.
Proprietor: Hajime Satomi
Coach: Hiroyasu Tanaka
Final Race: 1st, Cattleya Stakes, Nov. 29 at Tokyo Racecourse
5. Englishman: Quick maiden winner seems to have an abundance of expertise, however he hasn’t posted a timed exercise since Oct. 17.
Proprietor: C R Okay Secure
Coach: Cherie DeVaux
Final Race: 1st, maiden particular weight, Sept. 19 at Churchill Downs
6. Blackout Time: Blackout Time is taking break day after scratching from the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. Search for him to return in 2026, maybe at Oaklawn Park in a race just like the Jan. 31 Southwest Stakes.
House owners: Brookdale Racing, Lance Gasaway, and Magdalena Racing
Coach: Kenny McPeek
Final Race: 2nd, Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity, Oct. 4 at Keeneland Race Course
7. Mr. A. P.: The Thoroughbred Day by day Information stories Mr. A. P. will doubtless keep in California to prep for the Kentucky Derby, making the Feb. 7 Robert B. Lewis Stakes a possible goal.
House owners: Holly Wilson and David Wilson
Coach: Vladimir Cerin
Final Race: 2nd, FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Introduced by TAA, Oct. 31 at Del Mar
8. Napoleon Solo: The type of his runaway Champagne Stakes win took a little bit of successful when runner-up Talkin completed ninth within the Remsen.
Proprietor: Gold Sq.
Coach: Chad Summers
Final Race: 1st, Champagne Stakes, Oct. 4 at Belmont on the Massive A
9. Cannoneer: Cannoneer is bred to be a Kentucky Derby horse. His dam, Catch the Moon, has beforehand foaled Kentucky Derby starters Girvin (13th in 2017) and Midnight Bourbon (fifth in 2021).
House owners: St. Elias Secure and Stonestreet Stables
Coach: Brad Cox
Final Race: 1st, maiden particular weight, Nov. 29 at Churchill Downs
10. Renegade: He is perhaps winless in three begins, however after two tremendous tries in opposition to Paladin, Renegade heads into winter as a viable Kentucky Derby contender.
House owners: Robert Low, Lawana L. Low, and Repole Secure
Coach: Todd Pletcher
Final Race: 2nd, Remsen Stakes, Dec. 6 at Aqueduct
