2026 Kentucky Derby start time: When the horses in the field will reach the starting gate for post time

Imagn Images

It's Derby Day. Horse racing's annual journey to Churchill Downs takes place on Saturday with the 152nd Kentucky Derby and 20 horses battling it out to become this year's champion of the first leg of the Triple Crown.

Arkansas Derby winner Renegade has been installed as the 4-1 morning-line favorite, but he has multiple angles working against him. No horse has won the Kentucky Derby from the No. 1 post position since Ferdinand in 1986. In addition, Renegade's outspoken owner, Mike Repole, likes to joke that he has been cursed, but his history of disappointment is real. He is 0-for-8 in the race, and that doesn't include three horses who were forced to scratch from the race, including two (Uncle Mo and Forte) who would've been the favorite.

Saturday's winner will have the chance to go for the first Triple Crown win since Justify in 2018. Only 13 horses have ever completed the feat of winning all three races. There was a 37-year gap between 1978 and 2015 Triple Crown champions when American Pharoah ended the lengthy drought. Sovereignty won last year's race, but then did not run in the Preakness. The horse then came back for the Belmont and won that race as well.

Below is all the information you need to know about the 152nd Kentucky Derby.

Where to watch the 2026 Kentucky Derby

Date: Saturday, May 2
Post time: 6:57 p.m. ET
Location: Churchill Downs -- Louisville, Kentucky
TV: NBC | Stream: Peacock (subscription required)

2026 Kentucky Derby odds, post positions

1 Renegade (4-1)
2 Albus (30-1)
3 Intrepido (50-1)
4 Litmus Test (50-1)
5 Right to Party (30-1)
6 Commandment (6-1)
7 Danon Bourbon (20-1)
8 So Happy (15-1)
9 The Puma (10-1)
10 Wonder Dean (30-1)
11 Incredibolt (20-1)
12 Chief Wallabee (8-1)
13 Silent Tactic (20-1)
14 Potente (20-1)
15 Emerging Market (15-1)
16 Pavlovian (30-1)
17 Six Speed (50-1)
18 Further Ado (6-1)
19 Golden Tempo (30-1) 20 Fulleffort (20-1)