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2026 Kentucky Derby horses, odds, futures, preview, date: Expert who hit 12 Derby-Oaks Doubles doles out picks
TL;DR
The 2026 Kentucky Derby features Renegade as the 4-1 favorite, followed by Commandment at 7-1. Veteran trainer Todd Pletcher aims for his first Derby win since 2017.
Key points
- Renegade is the 4-1 favorite for the 2026 Kentucky Derby
- Todd Pletcher has two Kentucky Derby wins
- Commandment is the second favorite at 7-1
- Other contenders include The Puma, Chief Wallabee, Emerging Market, and Potente
- The Derby is scheduled for May 2026
Mentioned in this story
Todd Pletcher
RenegadeCommandmentThe PumaChief Wallabee
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Veteran trainer Todd Pletcher is no stranger to success. The 58-year-old has over 5,700 career wins, including two Kentucky Derby and four Belmont Stakes winners. Pletcher's top horse in the 2026 Kentucky Derby field is Renegade, the 4-1 favorite, just ahead of Commandment at 7-1 in the 2026 Kentucky Derby odds. Other 2026 Kentucky Derby contenders include The Puma (12-1), Chief Wallabee (13-1), Emerging Market (15-1) and Potente (16-1).
Pletcher is confident Renegade can give him his first win at the Kentucky Derby since Always Dreaming won in 2017. Super Saver gave Pletcher his first Derby winner in 2010. Before making any 2026 Kentucky Derby picks, be sure to see the horse racing predictions and futures bets from SportsLine's elite horse racing expert Jody Demling.
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A fixture in the horse racing world who has been writing about, talking about and betting on races for years, Demling has nailed the Kentucky Oaks-Derby double 12 times in the last 17 years. He also predicted the top three 2025 Kentucky Derby finishers in the correct order and called the exacta in last year's Preakness. Anyone who has followed him on horse racing betting sites could be way up.
Now, with the 2026 Kentucky Derby approaching and horse racing futures odds on the board, Demling is sharing his 2026 Kentucky Derby betting picks and 2026 Kentucky Derby predictions over at SportsLine. .
Q&A
Who are the top contenders for the 2026 Kentucky Derby?
The top contenders include Renegade (4-1), Commandment (7-1), The Puma (12-1), Chief Wallabee (13-1), Emerging Market (15-1), and Potente (16-1).
What are the odds for the 2026 Kentucky Derby horses?
Renegade is the favorite at 4-1, followed by Commandment at 7-1, with other horses like The Puma at 12-1 and Chief Wallabee at 13-1.
When is the 2026 Kentucky Derby scheduled?
The 2026 Kentucky Derby is scheduled for May 2026, although the exact date has not been specified in the provided information.
What is Todd Pletcher's history with the Kentucky Derby?
Todd Pletcher has won the Kentucky Derby twice, with his last victory in 2017, and he has over 5,700 career wins as a trainer.
