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Renegade finished second in the 2026 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, marking Mike Repole's best performance in the race. Despite being the morning-line favorite, Renegade was unable to secure a victory, leaving Repole 0 for 9 in the Derby.
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Renegade delivered Mike Repole his best trip in the Kentucky Derby to date across more than two decades as a thoroughbred owner.
Unfortunately for the billionaire entrepreneur, it did not result in a trip to the winner’s circle with the morning-line favorite.
The Todd Pletcher-trained Renegade and jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. finished second — behind Golden Tempo — in Saturday’s Run for the Roses at Churchill Downs.
Repole is now 0 for 9 in the iconic first leg of the Triple Crown. Before Saturday, his best finish in the 1¼-mile race was fifth in 2022 with Mo Donegal, who came in roughly five lengths behind longshot winner Rich Strike after starting in Post 1.
If it’s any consolation, Renegade needed only to make it in the gate to one-up several of Repole’s past contenders who scratched: Grande (2025), Forte (2023) and Uncle Mo (2011).
Co-owners Robert and Lawana Low fell to 0 for 3 in the Derby. Before Saturday, their best finish in the race was third with Steppenwolfer in 2006.
Ortiz, the No. 3 jockey in North America when it comes to career earnings, is now 0 for 10 in the Run for the Roses. But the 33-year-old Puerto Rican did notch his first on-the-board finish, topping a personal best of fourth place in 2019 with Improbable.
Pletcher, who holds the record for most Derby starts, dropped to 2 for 66.
Renegade broke out of Post 1 on Saturday just like Mo Donegal did four years ago. The position hasn’t produced a winner since Ferdinand in 1986.
When asked about the draw April 26, Pletcher said, “It just puts you in a position where you can’t make a mistake.”
Renegade finished in second place in the 2026 Kentucky Derby.
Renegade was trained by Todd Pletcher in the Kentucky Derby.
Mike Repole has participated in the Kentucky Derby nine times without a win.
Golden Tempo won the 2026 Kentucky Derby, finishing ahead of Renegade.
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In the son of Into Mischief, the Hall of Famer had a horse who could overcome the challenge. Renegade entered the Derby 2-2-1 across five career starts. Strong stretch runs highlighted his two wins to this point of his 3-year-old season, including the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby on March 28 at Oaklawn Park.
“Irad’s riding in great form right now,” Pletcher told reporters April 26. “We just have to focus on getting out of the gate, breaking well and establishing the position we want.”
“If this horse gets the same trip as Mo Donegal (out of Post 1), I think he’s five lengths better,” Repole added April 30.
Indeed, Ortiz was better aboard Renegade on Saturday than he was aboard the son of Uncle Mo in Derby 148. The duo just didn’t have enough to end Repole’s Run for the Roses drought.
It feels like a safe bet to say we haven’t seen the last of the 57-year-old New Yorker, who as a co-owner of the United Football League played an integral role in bringing a franchise to Louisville this spring.
“The people in Kentucky are pretty tough,” Repole told The Courier Journal on April 9, before visiting town for his first Louisville Kings game. “Mike from Queens is pretty tough; because I just keep coming back.”
Renegade’s connections will split $1 million for his runner-up performance in the Derby. Then, they’ll have a decision to make regarding the Preakness Stakes, which will be held May 16 at Pimlico Race Course.
Reach Louisville men's basketball reporter Brooks Holton at bholton@gannett.com and follow him on X at @brooksHolton.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Renegade finishes behind Golden Tempo in Kentucky Derby today