Gun Runner’s Paladin Valiant in Remsen, Takes Home Derby Points

[Wandering Eyes]

It was round two of their first match-up, and this time Paladin (Gun Runner–Secret Sigh, by Tapit) came home best over Renegade (Into Mischief) to score not just his first black-type, but also secure 10 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby in the 112th running of the GII Remsen Stakes.

The pair was last seen Oct. 17 at this venue when they brought their battle down to the wire in a maiden special weight contest, and Renegade officially crossed the line first by a head. He was later disqualified and placed second behind Paladin after stewards deemed that their late contact had costed his rival a better placing–in his case, the win.

The 9-5 favorite when the gates opened, Paladin was content to track the opening pace as longshots Balboa (Not This Time) and Day One Starter (Upstart) led the field through an opening quarter in :23.32 and a half in :47.47. With placings largely unchanged after six panels in 1:12.25, Renegade made the first move from the outside as Day One Starter tried to tough it out along the rail.

Paladin matched strides with that rival and the pair swamped the early leaders as they spun into the lane. Balboa refused to call it quits from third, but the battle was between 'the boys' inside the final sixteenth. Finally getting the best of Renegade, Paladin strode home to win with air to spare. The final time was 1:50.97.

Sales history: $1,900,000 Ylg '24 FTSAUG. O-Mrs. John Magnier, Michael B. Tabor, Derrick Smith, Peter M. Brant, Brook T. Smith and Summer Wind Equine, LLC; B-Summer Wind Equine (KY); T-Chad Brown.

 

Paladin wins the G2 Remsen Stakes worth 10 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby! pic.twitter.com/BShe1fALj8

— Kentucky Derby (@KentuckyDerby) December 6, 2025

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