2026 Kentucky Derby predictions, odds, contenders: Picks by expert who has cashed 22 Triple Crown races

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The 152nd Run for the Roses kicks off the chase for the Triple Crown with the 2026 Kentucky Derby on Saturday, May 2. The race is set for 6:57 p.m. ET, and that's when trainer Bill Mott will aim for his second straight Derby win. Sovereignty was among the favorites last year but was overshadowed by Journalism. That didn't stop Sovereignty from winning in sloppy conditions, though. Bet the Kentucky Derby with the exclusiveTwinSpires offer codeCBSSPORTS to receive up to $400 in bonus bets here, double what's available to the general public:

This year, Mott brings another top contender to the field in Chief Wallabee, who has the fourth-shortest odds at 8-1. Mott will also be competing against his son, Riley Mott, who has two of his own horses in the mix in Incredibolt (20-1) and Albus (30-1), adding another intriguing storyline to the Fastest Two Minutes in Sports. Before locking in any 2026 Kentucky Derby bets, you need to see the 2026 Kentucky Derby predictions and best bets from SportsLine's elite horse racing guru Jeff Hochman.

Hochman has shown a profit in 22 of the past 39 Triple Crown races. One example of his best picks was Big Brown in the 2008 Kentucky Derby at odds of 2-1. More recently, he swept the 2022 Triple Crown, capped off by Mo Donegal's easy win in the Belmont Stakes. In 2023, he cashed the Preakness with National Treasure. In 2024, he successfully tabbed Straight No Chaser to win, place and show in the Grade 2 Santa Anita Sprint Championship at odds of 3-2.

Hochman delivered exceptional handicapping results during the summer 2025 racing season at two of the country's premier tracks, Saratoga and Del Mar. His combined 65.7% win rate across the two tracks represents elite-level performance that significantly exceeds industry benchmarks for professional handicappers.

Now, Hochman has handicapped the 2026 Kentucky Derby field and revealed his picks. .