The May 2nd running of the 2026 Kentucky Derby marks the 152nd time this legendary race has been held since the first thoroughbreds tore down the track in Louisville in 1875. As the first leg of the Triple Crown, the Kentucky Derby remains the most prestigious “two minutes in sports,” and the 2026 edition promises a high-stakes showdown at Churchill Downs.
Following the early scratches of Silent Tactic and Fulleffort, the field of 20 has been finalized with the addition of also-eligibles Great White and Ocelli. Renegade (4-1) enters Saturday as the morning-line favorite, attempting to become the first horse since 1986 to win from the #1 rail position.
Final 2026 Kentucky Derby Post Positions & Odds
Here are the final 2026 Kentucky Derby post positions & odds for you. Please note, that once we get going, the odds are subject to change based on the action being taken in at the track and satellite locations.
| PP | Horse | Odds | Jockey | Trainer |
| 1 | Renegade | 4-1 (Fav) | Irad Ortiz Jr. | Todd Pletcher |
| 2 | Albus | 12-1 | Manny Franco | Riley Mott |
| 3 | Intrepido | 20-1 | Hector Berrios | Jeff Mullins |
| 4 | Litmus Test | 15-1 | Martin Garcia | Bob Baffert |
| 5 | Right to Party | 30-1 | Chris Elliott | Kenny McPeek |
| 6 | Commandment | 8-1 | Luis Saez | Brad Cox |
| 7 | Danon Bourbon | 20-1 | Atsuya Nishimura | Manabu Ikezoe |
| 8 | So Happy | 10-1 | Mike Smith | Mark Glatt |
| 9 | The Puma | 12-1 | Javier Castellano | Gustavo Delgado |
| 10 | Wonder Dean | 15-1 | Ryusei Sakai | Daisuke Takayanagi |
| 11 | Incredibolt | 20-1 | Jaime Torres | Riley Mott |
| 12 | Chief Wallabee | 25-1 | Junior Alvarado | Bill Mott |
| 13 | Potente | 12-1 | Juan Hernandez | Bob Baffert |
| 14 | Emerging Market | 15-1 | Flavien Prat | Chad Brown |
| 15 | Pavlovian | 25-1 | Edwin Maldonado | Doug O’Neill |
| 16 | Six Speed | 40-1 | Brian Hernandez Jr. | Bhupat Seemar |
| 17 | Further Ado | 6-1 | John Velazquez | Brad Cox |
| 18 | Golden Tempo | 20-1 | Jose Ortiz | Cherie DeVaux |
| 19 | Great White | 30-1 | Frankie Dettori | Doug O’Neill |
| 20 | Ocelli | 30-1 | Keith Asmussen | Steve Asmussen |
Picking a 2026 Derby Winner
To choose the winner of the 2026 Kentucky Derby, handicappers look closely at pedigree, past performance in Stakes races, and how a horse handles varying track conditions.
With the addition of Great White and Ocelli from the far outside, the early speed map has shifted. While Renegade still faces the immense pressure of the rail, the removal of the speed-heavy Silent Tactic may provide a cleaner trip for tactical middle-tier contenders like So Happy (10-1) and The Puma (12-1).
Expert Insight: Many “pros” are looking back at patterns of past winners to predict the outcome. Trainer Brad Cox holds a formidable hand this year with Commandment and Further Ado, both of whom have shown the ability to sit just off the lead and strike in the final turn.
The “Favorite” Trend: Betting Lessons for 2026
While Renegade (4-1) is the darling of the oddsmakers, historical data suggests caution. Since the turn of the millennium, the Kentucky Derby has frequently surprised the “chalk” bettors:
- Low Conversion: Since 2000, only a handful of favorites have actually crossed the finish line first. Notable winners include Fusaichi Pegasus (2000) and Smarty Jones (2004).
- The Longshot Era: Heavy favorites like Bellamy Road (2005) and Sweetnorthernsaint (2006) both finished well back in 7th place despite high expectations.
- The Final Verdict: In spite of the best guesses from oddsmakers, the final result is ultimately decided by the horse and rider in the final furlong.
2026 Kentucky Derby Fan Resources
- Download the Updated 2026 Kentucky Derby Betting Sheet: A finalized 1-page PDF for your watch party.
- 2026 Kentucky Derby “Rail Curse” Analysis: Can Renegade break the 40-year jinx from Post 1?
- Register for the $BRACKETS League: Our official fantasy app launches this Monday!
- Kentucky Derby Bingo Card Generator: Great for those hosting a Derby Party on race day.
2026 Kentucky Derby FAQ
When is the 2026 Kentucky Derby? > The 152nd Kentucky Derby is scheduled for Saturday, May 2, 2026. Coverage begins at 12:00 PM ET on NBC and Peacock, with a post time of approximately 6:57 PM ET.
Who were the scratches for the 2026 Kentucky Derby? > As of April 30, Silent Tactic and Fulleffort have been scratched from the field. This allowed Also-Eligibles Great White (30-1) and Ocelli (30-1) to move into the starting gate.
What are the odds for Renegade in the Derby? > Renegade is the current morning-line favorite with 4-1 odds. He will be breaking from the #1 post position (the rail), a spot that hasn’t seen a winner since 1986.
Where can I download a 2026 Kentucky Derby betting sheet? > You can download the finalized 1-page PDF betting sheet right here at SportsBrackets.net. It includes the updated field of 20, including all scratches and current odds.
Who is the jockey for Further Ado? > Legendary jockey John Velazquez is scheduled to ride Further Ado (6-1) for trainer Brad Cox.
