Paladin

Bet Paladin with TwinSpires, the official betting partner of the Kentucky Derby

Who is Paladin?

Paladin is a chestnut-colored three-year-old colt (which means a young male horse) born February 27, 2023. His family tree is filled with racing superstars. His father, Gun Runner, was a Champion racehorse who won the biggest races in North America. His mother's side includes sire Tapit, a legendary horse whose children have won some of racing's most important races.

What Makes Paladin Special?

So far, Paladin is perfect as he has won all three of his races! His wins include tough stakes races (the most important kind of races), earning him $484,250. He won the Remsen Stakes on December 6 at Aqueduct in New York, then captured the famous Risen Star Stakes on February 14 at Fair Grounds in New Orleans. All his races have been on fast dirt tracks.

His trainer, Chad Brown, is one of the best in the country. Brown gets paid to make sure Paladin stays healthy and races at exactly the right times. Paladin's owners are some of the most famous racing families in the world.

What Matters: Why Root for Paladin?

Paladin deserves your support because he represents excellence. He's undefeated, trained by the best, and comes from champion bloodlines on both sides of his family. He's already won at the distance the Kentucky Derby is run (1-1/8 miles), and he keeps improving with each race.

Caution: What may work against Paladin

Paladin has only run three times. Some horses struggle when facing new competition for the first time. He's also very lightly raced compared to some other Derby horses, meaning we haven't seen him run often enough to know if he can handle pressure or difficult track conditions.

"Here's Paladin with power and purpose!" @johngdooley

PALADIN runs down CHIP HONCHO to win the G2 Risen Star and earns 50 points on the Road to the @KentuckyDerby! 🌹

Chad Brown trains the chestnut colt. @tyler_gaff was aboard.

🎥 #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/1YZYw0StU6

— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) February 14, 2026

Paladin’s Important Related Information

• Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Paladi
• Kentucky Derby Horse Profile: Paladin
• TwinSpires Horse Profile: Paladin
• KDFW Pool 4: Paladin closes as individual favorite at 9-1
• Paladin heads Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 4
• Kentucky Derby Roundup: Paladin, Renegade run 1-2 in Remsen
• Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Paladin wins via DQ
• All-Access Trackside Coverage: 2026 Risen Star Weekend at Fair Grounds