Kentucky Derby 152 Offers Big Payout Potential To Horseplayers

4 Litmus Test (Bob Baffert, Martin Garcia 50-1)

Broke poorly in Arkansas Derby and finished seventh. Was third in Rebel Stakes in only other start at three. Six of seven career starts have been in graded Stakes company. Those odds on a Bob Baffert horse looks very enticing.

5 Right to Party (Kenny McPeek, Chris Elliot 30-1)

Four career starts all at Aqueduct with last two being a third in the Gotham Stakes and a second in the Wood Memorial. Displayed a nice closing kick in the Wood and closed from seventh to second in the stretch. If this son of Constitution gets it done here his connections will have the Right to Party.

6 Commandment (Brad Cox, Luis Saez 6-1)

Florida Derby champ has won four in a row including one at Churchill as a two-year-old. Son of Into Mischief has been in tough in last two starts and found a way to win. Definitely a player to consider here and two of last three Derby winners came through Florida Derby.

7 Danon Bourbon (Manibu Ikezone, Atsuya Nishimura 20-1)

Unbeaten son of Maxifield crosses the Pacific as a pace stalker. All three wins have come in Japan. Forever Young was a very near miss for the Japanese a couple years ago, but this Bourbon doesn’t appear to be that strong.

So Happy and jockey Mike Smith win the Grade I, $500,000 Santa Anita Derby, Saturday, April 4, 2026 at Santa Anita Park, Arcadia CA. © BENOIT PHOTO

BENOIT PHOTO

8 So Happy (Mark Glatt, Mike Smith,15-1)

Santa Anita Derby champ has big money Mike in the irons and has three wins in four career starts. Has never raced outside California, but this son of Runhappy has worked well. Experienced jock gives him a chance to hit the board.

9 The Puma (Gustavo Delgado, Javier Castellano 10-1)

One win in four lifetime starts but has run tough and hit the board in every start. Son of Essential Quality has never raced outside Florida. His name will garner some wagers and the Sunshine State path has produced of late, but we look elsewhere for the winner.

10 Wonder Dean (Daisuke Takayanagi, Ryusai Sakai 30-1)

Japanese-bred colt has been a world traveler as he has raced in Japan and the Middle East. Punched his ticket to Churchill with a win in the UAE Derby in Dubai. Two wins and two seconds in six career starts but he does not appear to be Godzilla here.

11 Incredibolt (Riley Mott, Jaime Torres 20-1)

Could this son of Bolt d’Oro be the wise guy horse? Won the Virginia Derby in his last start and is two for two lifetime at Churchill. Has tactical speed which is good if he gets the trip. Worth a look at a price.

12 Chief Wallabee (Bill Mott, Junior Alvarado 8-1)

Highly regarded son of Constitution won his first career start in January and then finished second in the Fountain of Youth and third in the Florida Derby. Trainer won it last year and is great at what he does, but we are not backing this Chief.

The Paddock at Churchill Downs will be filled with excitement on May 2

Lisa Brewer

13 Silent Tactic (Mark Casse, Cristian Torres 20-1)

Southwest Stakes winner has two wins and four seconds in six career starts. Has displayed a big kick down the lane and this son of Tacitus gets our nod as the longshot winner of the Kentucky Derby. Taking a swing, but stranger things have happened on the first Saturday in May.

14 Potente (Bob Baffert, Juan Hernandez 20-1)

Impressive looking son of Into Mischief has two wins and a second in three lifetime starts. The runner-up finish was last out in Santa Anita Derby. Put in a monster work after arriving at Churchill. If you get that price on this horse it is a must play. Never discount Big Race Bob.

Speedway Stables’ Potente and jockey Juan Hernandez win the Grade II $200,000 San Felipe Stakes Saturday, March 7, 2026 at Santa Anita Park, Arcadia, CA, giving trainer Bob Baffert and jockey Juan Hernandez their second stakes wins on the day. Benoit Photo

BENOIT PHOTO

15 Emerging Market (Chad Brown, Flavien Prat 15-1)

Unbeaten in two career starts, this son of Candy Ride won the Louisiana Derby after a stretch duel at Fair Grounds. Top notch rider, but the lack of experience in a race like this might be a factor.

16 Pavlovian (Doug O’Neill, Edwin Maldonado 30-1)

Hard-running California-bred has ten career starts which is most in the field. He wants to be out front and has the jock to get there. Has displayed plenty of fight in winning the Sunland Derby and finishing second in Louisiana Derby. A longshot that is worth an across the board play.

17 Six Speed (Bhupat Seemar, Brian Hernandez Jr. 50-1)

Dubai-based runner that has three wins, a second, and a third in five lifetime starts. Has never raced outside Dubai and was second in UAE Derby. Should be a part of the early pace, but we don’t think he has enough gears.

Further Ado won his only previous start at Churchill Downs and comes in off an 11 length score in the Blue Grass Stakes

Julie Clark

18 Further Ado (Brad Cox, John Velazquez 6-1)

Lights out winner of the Blue Grass Stakes in his last start. Son of Gun Runner has a win at Churchill and is the most likely winner here. A horse to use in all your multi-race and exotic wagers.

19 Golden Tempo (Cherie DeVaux, Jose Ortiz 30-1)

Deep closer won the LeComte Stakes in January and then finished third in both the Risen Star and Louisiana Derby. Outside post is not a factor and does get a great jockey. Might be one that could up the pieces late and finish in top four.

20 Fulleffort (Brad Cox, Tyler Gafflione 20-1)

Jeff Ruby Steaks winner has never raced on dirt but has trained extremely well over the Churchill surface of late. Rider is a track specialist and his kick down the lane is impressive. A price to play in your superfecta.

This article was originally published on Forbes.com