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Kentucky Derby 2026 predictions, odds, betting advice: Win, place, show, exacta, trifecta, superfecta picks
TL;DR
The 2026 Kentucky Derby will take place on May 2 at Churchill Downs, featuring a 19-horse field after The Puma scratched. The winner will earn $3.1 million, with odds fluctuating as betting progresses.
Key points
- 2026 Kentucky Derby set for May 2 at Churchill Downs
- 19-horse field confirmed after The Puma scratched
- Renegade is the favorite at 4-1 odds
- Winner receives $3.1 million prize
- John Velazquez rides Further Ado, a strong contender
Mentioned in this story
John Velazquez
Kentucky Derby 2026
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The 19-horse field for the 2026 Kentucky Derby is set after The Puma scratched on Saturday morning. The fastest two minutes in sports will run on the 1 ¼-mile Churchill Downs track in Louisville, Ky., with a post time set for 6:57 p.m. ET on Saturday, May 2. The winner will receive $3.1 million. The Puma was fifth on the morning-line 2026 Kentucky Derby odds board at 10-1, trailing Renegade (4-1), Commandment (6-1), Further Ado (6-1) and Cherokee Nation (8-1).
Pari-mutuel betting, however, means that the odds will fluctuate until closing, and So Happy has been one of the biggest movers, dropping to 6-1 in the live Kentucky Derby odds after opening at 15-1. With so much to consider while making your 2026 Kentucky Derby picks, a little expert help can go a long way. Bet the Kentucky Derby with the latestTwinSpires offer codeCBSSPORTS to get up to $400 in bonus bets, double what's available to the general public:
Further Ado comes into Saturday's Kentucky Derby riding high. He has won three of his last four races, including an 11-length victory in the 2026 Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland on April 4. In all, 23 horses that competed in the Blue Grass Stakes have gone on to win the "Run for the Roses." Further Ado's other wins included the 2025 Kentucky Jockey Club in November, and the MSW at Keeneland in October. Three-time Kentucky Derby winning jockey John Velazquez has the mount. The 54-year-old last won the Kentucky Derby in 2020 when he guided Authentic to the 1¼-length win over Tiz The Law. He also had the mount for Always Dreaming, the 2017 Derby winner, and Animal Kingdom, the 2011 victor.
Given all the history of the race, there's a method to picking which horses to focus on for exacta, trifecta and superfecta bets in a Kentucky Derby like this, and SportsLine expert Jody Demling knows what it is. He can help you .
Q&A
What are the current odds for the 2026 Kentucky Derby horses?
Current odds for the 2026 Kentucky Derby include Renegade at 4-1, Commandment and Further Ado at 6-1, and Cherokee Nation at 8-1.
Who is the favorite to win the 2026 Kentucky Derby?
Renegade is currently the favorite to win the 2026 Kentucky Derby with odds of 4-1.
What is the prize money for the winner of the 2026 Kentucky Derby?
The winner of the 2026 Kentucky Derby will receive $3.1 million.
Which jockey is riding Further Ado in the 2026 Kentucky Derby?
Three-time Kentucky Derby winning jockey John Velazquez will ride Further Ado in the 2026 Kentucky Derby.