Five-time Eclipse Award-winning trainer Chad Brown has a number of promising contenders on the Kentucky Derby (G1) trail that had their picture taken at Aqueduct Racetrack, including Remsen Stakes (G2) winner Paladin and impressive local maiden winners Ottinho and Schoolyardsuperman.
Brown, a 47-year-old native of Mechanicville, N.Y., has a first 'Run for the Roses' victory in his sights with his best previous finishes coming with 2024 runner-up Sierra Leone and 2022 third-place finisher Zandon .
Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Peter Brant, Brook Smith, and breeder Summer Wind Equine's Paladin was elevated to victory in his Oct. 17 debut at Aqueduct. There, Renegade rallied up the inside to cross the wire a head in front but was subsequently disqualified following a stewards' inquiry concerning the final sixteenth of the one-turn mile.
Paladin, by Gun Runner , followed with a dominant effort in the 1 1/8-mile Remsen at Aqueduct Dec. 6, edging clear to a 2-length score over familiar foe Renegade.
The $1.9 million purchase at the 2024 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Select Yearling Sale has since shipped to Brown's division at Payson Park where he worked a half-mile in :50 4/5 Dec. 28 in preparation for a start in the the $500,000 Risen Star Stakes (G2), a 50-25-15-10-5 Kentucky Derby qualifier at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots Feb. 14.
"He's settled into South Florida nicely and will likely point to the Risen Star," Brown said. "He's 2-for-2 and he's a very smart horse; an efficient mover and he's obviously got the pedigree and looks. Given his purchase price, he's got all the right tools. It's just a matter of staying healthy and moving forward in his development."
Paladin is out of the Tapit mare Secret Sigh, a half-sister to dual group 1-winner Mozu Ascot and stakes-winner Kareena.
Brown Eyes Withers for Ottinho, Schoolyardsuperman
A pair of well-bred Brown trainees squared off in a 9-furlong maiden route on New Year's Eve here as Ottinho battled Hadrian's Wall in a stretch-drive thriller.
Three Chimneys Farm's Kentucky homebred Ottinho, by Quality Road and out of the graded stakes-winning Giant's Causeway mare Quiet Giant, is a half brother to Hall of Famer Gun Runner. While Hadrian's Wall, a $1.3 million Keeneland September Yearling Sale purchase, is by Curlin and out of 2020 Adirondack Stakes (G2) victress Thoughtfully.
Brown indicated that Ottinho is likely to point to the 1 1/8-mile $200,000 Withers Stakes at Aqueduct Jan. 31, which offers 20-10-6-4-2 Kentucky Derby qualifying points.
"Ottinho showed a lot of courage and determination there to fight back against his stablemate, who is also cut out to be a nice horse," Brown said. "He came out of the race well. The logical thing to do would be to point him to the Withers, so if he trains well all month that's what we'll do."
Brown said Hadrian's Wall, who was second in his Nov. 2 Aqueduct debut, is likely to find a maiden race but will be nominated to the local Derby preps.
"He was facing about a 60-day break between races and that probably wasn't ideal. He might have felt that late," Brown said. "They were a head apart. It didn't take much to separate them and that might have made the difference. I'm hoping to get him back into a race without having to wait quite as long for him. I would expect him to keep moving forward."
Campaigned by Magnier, Tabor, Derrick Smith, Brant, and Brook Smith, Hadrian's Wall was bred in Kentucky by Hill 'n' Dale Equine Holdings and Determined Stud.
Hit the Bid Racing Stable's Schoolyardsuperman, winner of a one-turn mile at third asking Dec. 6, is likely headed to the Withers after passing on the Jan. 3 Jerome Stakes.
The $150,000 Keeneland September Yearling Sale purchase is by Practical Joke , a three-time grade 1-winner for Brown. Last out, Schoolyardsuperman soared to a 5 3/4-length win while stretching out for the first time.
"I'd like to give him the opportunity to get around two turns as well. I'm going to point him to the Withers," Brown said. "This horse will have a little more time between races, which I think will serve him well. He wasn't quite ready to go right back in the Jerome. I think he'll benefit from a little more time.
"He has some additional experience with three career races already and I didn't think running him every four weeks was the right thing to do," Brown added. "A little more time between his maiden win and jumping up into a stake will help."
This press release has been edited for content and style by BloodHorse Staff.
