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What time does Kentucky Derby start? 2026 Run for the Roses date, location, odds, when horses reach the posts
TL;DR
The 2026 Kentucky Derby will take place on Saturday at Churchill Downs in Louisville, KY, featuring a field of 20 horses. Arkansas Derby winner Renegade is the 4-1 morning-line favorite despite historical challenges from the No. 1 post position.
Key points
- 2026 Kentucky Derby is on Saturday at Churchill Downs
- Field of 20 horses set to compete for the roses
- Renegade is the 4-1 morning-line favorite
Mentioned in this story
Churchill DownsMike Repole
Kentucky Derby
Imagn Images
Horse racing glory will be on the line when the country's best 3-year-olds leave the starting gate in the first leg of racing's Triple Crown, the 2026 Kentucky Derby on Saturday at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. A field of 20 is set to run for the roses with one emerging as a Derby winner alongside some of the legends of the sport, including War Admiral, Citation and Secretariat.
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.
Which horse wins the Kentucky Derby, and which huge double-digit longshot is a must-back? Visit SportsLine to see Jody Demling's picks for the Kentucky Derby, all from the expert who has nailed the $1,682 superfecta in last year's race.
While Repole has never tasted Derby success, Bob Baffert has been swimming in it. The Hall of Fame trainer, 73, has won the race six times (excluding 2021 when his Medina Spirit was disqualified from victory after failing a postrace exam), which is tied with Ben Jones for the most ever. On Saturday, Baffert will go for Derby No. 7 with two starters: the $2.4 million Potente (20-1) and speedy longshot Litmus Test (50-1).
Weather has played a role on Derby day recently, but the early forecast for Saturday looks clear. It is predicting the skies to be cloudy and the temperature to be in the 50s. There is only a 10% chance of rain.
Q&A
What time does the 2026 Kentucky Derby start?
The exact start time for the 2026 Kentucky Derby has not been specified, but it typically occurs in the early evening.
Where is the 2026 Kentucky Derby being held?
The 2026 Kentucky Derby will be held at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky.
Who are the favorites for the 2026 Kentucky Derby?
Arkansas Derby winner Renegade is currently the 4-1 morning-line favorite for the 2026 Kentucky Derby.
