Kentucky Derby works: Paladin leads derby hopefuls on tab

Paladin drilled at Payson Park Training Center on Saturday ahead of his expected start in the Grade 2 Risen Star.

The son of Gun Runner breezed four furlongs in 49.8 seconds, 12th fastest of 59 at the distance. This marked his second timed work since the Remsen (G2).

Paladin captured the Remsen (G2) at Aqueduct on Dec. 6 to kick off his Kentucky Derby 2026 campaign. Before that, he graduated in a maiden special weight at Aqueduct on Oct. 17.

Paladin has a career record of 2: 2-0-0 with earnings of $184,250 for owners John Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Peter Brant, Brook Smith and Summer Wind Equine.

Paladin was one of 14 horses with odds in Las Vegas + other HRN top contenders.

Bootleg Runner (Runhappy) worked four furlongs in 50.8 seconds at Parx on Saturday morning. It was the 30th fastest of 42 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he placed second in an allowance race going 6 1/2 furlongs on the main track at Parx on Dec. 24 for trainer Michael Pino.

Boss Dylan (Liam's Map) worked five furlongs in 1:01.9 at Palm Meadows on Saturday morning. It was the fifth fastest of seven works at the distance. His previous work was eight days ago going four furlongs at Palm Meadows. In his last start he placed third in a maiden race going one mile on the main track at Gulfstream Park on Dec. 27 for trainer Brendan Walsh.

Casa Cielo (Caravaggio) worked four furlongs in 50.8 seconds at Fair Grounds on Saturday morning. It was the 53rd fastest of 79 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he placed sixth in an allowance race going 5 1/2 furlongs on the turf at Fair Grounds on Jan. 3 for trainer Keith Desormeaux.

Desert Gate (Omaha Beach), a Grade 3 winner (2025 Best Pal), worked six furlongs in 1:12.2 at Santa Anita on Saturday morning. It was the second fastest of three works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going six furlongs at Santa Anita. In his last start he placed second in the American Pharoah (G1) going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Santa Anita on Oct. 4 for trainer Bob Baffert.

Diciassette (Mitole) worked four furlongs in 48.4 seconds at Palm Meadows on Saturday morning. It was the fifth fastest of 60 works at the distance. His previous work was six days ago going five furlongs at Palm Meadows. In his last start he placed fourth in the Breeders' Futurity (G1) going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Keeneland on Oct. 4 for trainer Patrick Biancone.

Grittiness (Curlin) worked four furlongs in 48.1 seconds at Belmont Park on Saturday morning. It was the 22nd fastest of 133 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Belmont Park. In his last start he placed fifth in the Remsen (G2) going 1 1/8 miles on the main track at Aqueduct on Dec. 6 for trainer Todd Pletcher.

Into the Beast (Into Mischief) worked four furlongs in 51.2 seconds at Gulfstream Park on Saturday morning. It was the 90th fastest of 101 works at the distance. His previous work was 25 days ago going four furlongs at Gulfstream Park. In his last start he won a maiden race going six furlongs on the main track at Churchill Downs on Nov. 7 for trainer Dale Romans.

Intrepido (Maximus Mischief), a Grade 1 winner (2025 American Pharoah), worked five furlongs in 1:02.0 at Santa Anita on Saturday morning. It was the 43rd fastest of 53 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going six furlongs at Santa Anita. In his last start he placed fifth in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Del Mar on Oct. 31 for trainer Jeff Mullins.

Liberty National (Maxfield) worked four furlongs in 48.0 seconds at Fair Grounds on Saturday morning. It was the fastest of 79 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Fair Grounds. In his last start he placed second in the Gun Runner going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Fair Grounds on Dec. 20 for trainer Kenny McPeek.

Paladin (Gun Runner), a Grade 2 winner (2025 Remsen), worked four furlongs in 49.8 seconds at Payson Park on Saturday morning. It was the 12th fastest of 59 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Payson Park. In his last start he won the Remsen (G2) going 1 1/8 miles on the main track at Aqueduct on Dec. 6 for trainer Chad Brown.

Project Ace (War of Will) worked five furlongs in 1:02.5 at Gulfstream Park on Saturday morning. It was the 34th fastest of 44 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Gulfstream Park. In his last start he won a maiden race going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Churchill Downs on Nov. 15 for trainer Dale Romans.

Rancho Santa Fe (Tapit) worked four furlongs in 49.8 seconds at Oaklawn on Saturday morning. It was the 24th fastest of 78 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he placed fifth in the Smarty Jones going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Oaklawn on Jan. 3 for trainer Brad Cox.

Renegade (Into Mischief) worked four furlongs in 50.3 seconds at Palm Beach Downs on Saturday morning. It was the 12th fastest of 16 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Palm Beach Downs. In his last start he placed second in the Remsen (G2) going 1 1/8 miles on the main track at Aqueduct on Dec. 6 for trainer Todd Pletcher.

Soldier N Diplomat (Army Mule) worked five furlongs in 1:01.2 at Fair Grounds on Saturday morning. It was the fifth fastest of 40 works at the distance. His previous work was eight days ago going five furlongs at Fair Grounds. In his last start he placed third in the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Churchill Downs on Nov. 29 for trainer Steve Asmussen.