Paddo O'Prado, a Gainesway Sales graduate, may have put himself into Kentucky Derby consideration after an impressive 2 1/2-length victory in the $150,000 Palm Beach S. (G3) over the Gulfstream Park turf course on Mar. 6. Derby talk may seem like a bit of hyperbole, but not after listening to trainer Dale Romans after the win.

“I've always thought a lot of him,” Romans said. “I think he's as talented as any 3-year-old I've got in the barn. We're seriously thinking about running him on the Polytrack at Keeneland, maybe even the Toyota Blue Grass (G1) Apr 10.”

Romans noted that some bad racing luck was the only reason the gray/roan colt was still a maiden going into the Palm Beach. This time would be different, though. Breaking from the rail, jockey Jesus Castanon had his mount positioned perfectly in second behind some solid fractions set by Asphalt. When that one began to weaken at the top of the stretch, Paddy O'Prado exploded to the lead, quickly opening up three lengths on the field. From there, he cruised home to stop the clock in 1:45.40 for the 1 1/8 miles, just a second off the track record and earning a 93 Beyer Speed Figure. Most impressive was the final eighth-mile, which he got in a shade under 12 seconds.

Paddy O'Prado was consigned by Gainesway to the Keeneland September 2008 Yearling Sale, where Romans, as agent, purchase him for $105,000. Racing for Donegal Racing, Paddy O'Prado improved his record to 1-1-2 from five starts. The $90,000 payday raised his lifetime earnings to $114,497. He was also third in the With Anticipation S. (G3) last year at Saratoga.

Bred by Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC in Kentucky, Paddy O'Prado is out of the Prized mare Fun House. Fun House won the Buena Vista (G2), earned over $400,000, and is a half-sister to San Vicente (G2) winner Early Flyer.