Paladin Guns Downs Chip Honcho in Fasig-Tipton Risen Star

[Wandering Eyes]

Paladin (Gun Runner) needed the length of the stretch to get there, but surged late to reel in pacesetter Chip Honcho (Connect) by a half-length in the GII Fasig-Tipton Risen Star S. over a speed-favoring course at Fair Grounds Saturday. 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' Golden Tempo (Curlin), a last-to-first winner of the GIII Lecomte S., was third.

Making his sophomore debut after defeating subsequent Sam F. Davis S. winner Renegade (Into Mischief) in the GII Remsen S. at the Big A Dec. 6, the 3-5 chalk raced in fourth through an opening quarter in :23.81. Hung out three-wide in a joint-second through a half mile in :47.49, Paladin set his sights on Chip Honcho on the turn for home. Chip Honcho continued to dig in gamely down the stretch, but Paladin just kept on coming on the outside to secure 50 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.

“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).”

The $1.9-million Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale purchase is campaigned in partnership by Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Peter Brant, Brook Smith and Summer Wind Equine, who also bred the colt. The Coolmore partners, Brant and Smith also campaigned Gun Runner's brilliant Sierra Leone, who also kicked off his sophomore campaign for trainer Chad Brown with a win in this same race in 2024.

Paladin was placed first via disqualification after falling a head short of the aforementioned Renegade on debut going a one-turn mile at Aqueduct Oct. 17. Paladin was previously steered in his first two career starts by Flavien Prat, who rode the Saudi Cup card Saturday.

“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.”

Pedigree Notes:

Paladin is one of 35 graded/group winners worldwide for Gun Runner. Broodmare sire Tapit was also represented by GIII Mineshaft S. winner Hit Show (Candy Ride {Arg}) and unbeaten GII Fasig-Tipton Rachel Alexandra S. winner and 'Rising Star' Bella Ballerina (Street Sense) on the undercard.

The unraced Secret Sigh (Tapit), a daughter of MGSW India (Hennessy), is also represented by a 2-year-old colt named Golden Rebellion (Into Mischief), a $900,000 Keeneland September purchase by Case Clay Thoroughbred Management.

Lifetime Record: 3-3-0-0.

Sales history: $1.9-million yrl '24 FTSAUG.

O-Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Peter M. Brant, Brook T. Smith & Summer Wind Equine, LLC; B-Summer Wind Equine LLC (KY); T-Chad C. Brown.

Paladin runs down Chip Honcho to win the Fasig-Tipton Risen Star worth 50 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby! pic.twitter.com/EkoQZluK19

— Kentucky Derby (@KentuckyDerby) February 14, 2026

Saturday, Fair Grounds
FASIG-TIPTON RISEN STAR S.-GII, $495,000, Fair Grounds, 2-14, 3yo, 1 1/8m, 1:49.14, ft.
1–PALADIN, 122, c, 3, by Gun Runner
            1st Dam: Secret Sigh, by Tapit
            2nd Dam: India, by Hennessy
            3rd Dam: Misty Hour, by Miswaki
($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 LLC (KY);
T-Chad C. Brown; J-Tyler Gaffalione. $300,000. Lifetime
Record: 3-3-0-0, $484,250. Werk Nick Rating: A+++. *Triple
Plus* Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for
the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Chip Honcho, 122, c, 3, Connect–Miss My Rose, by Magician
(Ire). 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($210,000 Ylg '24 FTKJUL).
O-Leland Ackerley Racing, LLC, James Sherwood, Jode Shupe
and John Cilia; B-Venneri Racing Inc. & Tony Fanticola (KY);
T-Steven M. Asmussen. $100,000.
3–Golden Tempo, 122, c, 3, Curlin–Carrumba, by Bernardini.
'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard'. O/B-Phipps Stable &
St. Elias Stables, LLC (KY); T-Cherie DeVaux. $50,000.
Margins: HF, 5HF, 1 3/4. Odds: 0.70, 7.40, 3.90.
Also Ran: Universe, Carson Street, Courting, Quality Mischief, Colt Forty Seven. Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

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