Players' Podcast - Kentucky Derby 2026 Contender Profile: Paladin

PTF & JK sit down to talk about budding 2026 Kentucky Derby contender Paladin fresh from his victory in the 2026 Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds over Chip Honcho and 2026 Lecomte Stakes winner Golden Tempo, earning a 93 Beyer Speed Figure with the win. PTF & JK discuss the potential path for Paladin, which appears to wind toward the 2026 Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland in April, following in the path of former Chad Brown stars Zandon and Sierra Leone. They also discuss how Paladin currently ranks against others on the Kentucky Derby trail including Nearly, who recently won the 2026 Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream Park and is currently targeting the 2026 Florida Derby.