In recent years, the Remsen Stakes at Aqueduct has produced Kentucky Derby top-three finishers Sierra Leone (second in 2024) and Zandon (third in 2022), a pair of Grade 1 winners trained by Chad Brown.

Perhaps Brown’s latest Remsen starter, Paladin, can rise even higher. Whereas Sierra Leone and Zandon finished second in the Remsen, Paladin won Saturday’s renewal of the 1 1/8-mile race in decisive fashion, suggesting he may have the talent to take first prize in the 2026 Derby.

Purchased for a hefty $1.9 million as a yearling, Paladin has opened his career with back-to-back wins. He debuted in a one-mile maiden special weight at Aqueduct, and while he crossed the finish line second behind a rival named Renegade, the latter colt interfered with Paladin approaching the finish line and was disqualified to second place, sending Paladin to the winner’s circle.

Paladin and Renegade met again in the Remsen. This time, Paladin charged from 2 ½ lengths behind the early leaders to defeat Renegade by two lengths in the time of 1:50.97.

Based off his promising debut, Paladin ranked #10 when the Rookie Rankings kicked off last week. His triumph in the Remsen confirms his abundant potential, propelling him up the rankings to the #3 spot.

Renegade is also making a move. He’s technically winless in three starts, but after running well twice against Paladin, he debuts on the Rookie Rankings in the #10 slot, knocking out unbeaten Ed Brown Stakes winner Boyd.

Additional changes could come to the Rookie Rankings next week. The Road to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve continues on Saturday with the Los Alamitos Futurity at Los Alamitos, a race won last year by future 2025 Kentucky Derby runner-up Journalism.

Here’s how the latest Rookie Rankings stack up:

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1. Ted Noffey: Probable champion two-year-old male is targeting a Florida campaign and could return in the Jan. 31 Holy Bull Stakes or Feb. 28 Coolmore Fountain of Youth Stakes.

Owner: Spendthrift Farm

Trainer: Todd Pletcher

Last Race: 1^st, FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Presented by TAA, Oct. 31 at Del Mar

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2. Further Ado: Many of Brad Cox’s Kentucky Derby contenders compete at Fair Grounds and Oaklawn Park during the winter. The Jan. 17 Lecomte Stakes at Fair Grounds could be a logical target for Further Ado.

Owner: Spendthrift Farm

Trainer: Brad Cox

Last Race: 1^st, Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes, Nov. 29 at Churchill Downs

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3. Paladin: Stepped forward off his maiden win to take the Remsen Stakes in fine fashion. He’s bred to improve with maturity and relish the Derby’s 1 ¼-mile distance.

Owners: Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Peter Brant, Brook Smith, and Summer Wind Equine

Trainer: Chad Brown

Last Race: 1^st, Remsen Stakes, Dec. 6 at Aqueduct

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4. Satono Voyage: Satono Voyage is based in Japan, but he’ll make his next start in the Feb. 14 Saudi Derby in Saudi Arabia, a race won by Japan’s 2024 Kentucky Derby third-place finisher Forever Young.

Owner: Hajime Satomi

Trainer: Hiroyasu Tanaka

Last Race: 1^st, Cattleya Stakes, Nov. 29 at Tokyo Racecourse

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5. Englishman: Fast maiden winner appears to have an abundance of talent, but he hasn’t posted a timed workout since Oct. 17.

Owner: C R K Stable

Trainer: Cherie DeVaux

Last Race: 1^st, maiden special weight, Sept. 19 at Churchill Downs

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6. Blackout Time: Blackout Time is taking time off after scratching from the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. Look for him to return in 2026, perhaps at Oaklawn Park in a race like the Jan. 31 Southwest Stakes.

Owners: Brookdale Racing, Lance Gasaway, and Magdalena Racing

Trainer: Kenny McPeek

Last Race: 2^nd, Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity, Oct. 4 at Keeneland Race Course

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7. Mr. A. P.: The Thoroughbred Daily News reports Mr. A. P. will likely stay in California to prep for the Kentucky Derby, making the Feb. 7 Robert B. Lewis Stakes a potential target.

Owners: Holly Wilson and David Wilson

Trainer: Vladimir Cerin

Last Race: 2^nd, FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Presented by TAA, Oct. 31 at Del Mar

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8. Napoleon Solo: The form of his runaway Champagne Stakes win took a bit of a hit when runner-up Talkin finished ninth in the Remsen.

Owner: Gold Square

Trainer: Chad Summers

Last Race: 1^st, Champagne Stakes, Oct. 4 at Belmont at the Big A

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9. Cannoneer: Cannoneer is bred to be a Kentucky Derby horse. His dam, Catch the Moon, has previously foaled Kentucky Derby starters Girvin (13^th in 2017) and Midnight Bourbon (fifth in 2021).

Owners: St. Elias Stable and Stonestreet Stables

Trainer: Brad Cox

Last Race: 1^st, maiden special weight, Nov. 29 at Churchill Downs

10. Renegade: He might be winless in three starts, but after two fine tries against Paladin, Renegade heads into winter as a viable Kentucky Derby contender.

Owners: Robert Low, Lawana L. Low, and Repole Stable

Trainer: Todd Pletcher

Last Race: 2^nd, Remsen Stakes, Dec. 6 at Aqueduct