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2026 Kentucky Derby horses, odds, predictions, posts: Expert who hit 12 Derby-Oaks Doubles makes picks
TL;DR
The 2026 Kentucky Derby features favorites Renegade (9-2) and Commandment (6-1), both having 35 days of rest before the race. Other contenders include The Puma (10-1) and Chief Wallabee (10-1), while Emerging Market (20-1) has 42 days of rest.
Key points
- Renegade and Commandment are top favorites with 35 days of rest
- The last four Derby winners had 35 days of rest
- Emerging Market has 42 days of rest, Potente has 28 days
- The Puma and Chief Wallabee also have five-week breaks
- The race is on May 2, 2026
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Horse racing trends will play a big part on 2026 Kentucky Derby picks for many, and there's an emerging trend in regard to rest time. Each of the last four Derby winners have had exactly 35 days of rest between their final prep race and prevailing at The Run for the Roses. Thus, those that last raced on March 28 are hoping this trend continues at the Kentucky Derby 2026 on Saturday, May 2. Among those who will have 35 days of rest are two of the biggest Kentucky Derby favorites in Renegade (9-2) and Commandment (6-1).
The Kentucky Derby 2026 odds for others who will have a five-week break include The Puma (10-1), Chief Wallabee (10-1) and Wonder Dean (25-1). Others who don't hit this 35-day mark include Emerging Market (20-1), who will have 42 days of rest, as well as Potente (15-1), who will have a 28-day break. Before making any 2026 Kentucky Derby picks, be sure to see the 2026 Kentucky Derby predictions and best 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
What are the odds for the top horses in the 2026 Kentucky Derby?
The top horses include Renegade at 9-2, Commandment at 6-1, The Puma at 10-1, and Chief Wallabee at 10-1.
Why is the 35-day rest trend significant for Kentucky Derby winners?
The last four Kentucky Derby winners had exactly 35 days of rest before the race, suggesting this trend may influence betting strategies.
Which horses are not following the 35-day rest trend in the 2026 Kentucky Derby?
Emerging Market will have 42 days of rest, and Potente will have only 28 days before the race.
When is the 2026 Kentucky Derby scheduled to take place?
The 2026 Kentucky Derby is scheduled for Saturday, May 2.
