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The 152nd Kentucky Derby, home to “the most exciting two minutes in sports,” will take place Saturday at the legendary Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky.
The first leg of the Triple Crown traditionally takes place on the first Saturday in May. Twenty three-year-old horses will compete for a $5 million purse, with the winner of the 1¼ mile race taking home $3.1 million.
Three horses have already been withdrawn from this year’s race. Silent Tactic was scratched due to a foot injury and will be replaced by Great White. Fulleffort was scratched with an ankle injury and is replaced by Ocelli. Right to Party has been scratched due to right front lameness and will be replaced by Robusta.
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Horses run on the track during morning practice for the 152nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky on April 30, 2026. (Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Here’s what you need to know before the race:
Who is racing and what are the betting odds?
- Renegade (Irad Ortiz Jr.) 4-1
- Albus (Manny Franco) 30-1
- Fearless (Hector Berrios) 50-1
- Decisive test (Martin Garcia) 50-1
- Right to Party (Chris Elliott) CROSSED
- Command (Luis Saez) 6-1
- Danon Bourbon (Atsuya Nishimura) 20-1
- So happy (Mike Smith) 15-1
- The Puma (Javier Castellano) 10-1
- Wonder Dean (Ryusei Sakai) 30-1
- Incredibolt (Jaime Torres) 20-1
- Chief Wallabee (Junior Alvarado) 8-1
- Silent Tactic (Cristian Torres) STRIPPED
- Potente (Juan Hernández) 20-1
- Emerging markets (Flavien Prat) 15-1
- Pavlovian (Edwin Maldonado) 30-1
- Six Speed (Brian Hernandez Jr.) 50-1
- Further (John Velasquez) 6-1
- Golden Tempo (Jose Ortiz) 30-1
- Full effort (Tyler Gaffalione) 20-1
- Grand Blanc (Alex Achard) 50-1
- Ocelli (Joe Ramos) 50-1
- Robusta (Cristian Torres) 50-1
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Kentucky Derby entrant The Puma practices at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky on May 1, 2026. (Charlie Riedel/AP Photo)
Who are the favorites?
Renegade, coached by Todd A. Pletcher, is the current favorite with a 4-1 record. Commandment, which is coached by Brad H. Cox, and Further Ado, which is also coached by Cox, are both 6-1.
Chief Wallabee, coached by William I. Mott, is 8-1. The Puma, coached by Gustavo Delgado, is 10-1.
What everyone is talking about before the Derby
Weather should not be a factor. It will be a little cooler than usual in the morning and there will be a chance of rain in the afternoon, but the weather should be clear for the race. It’s expected to be 58 degrees when the race kicks off, which is cooler than the average Kentucky Derby temperature of 74 degrees, according to Kentucky.com.
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A horse heads to the track for training at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky on May 1, 2026. (Charlie Riedel/AP Photo)
The 152nd Kentucky Derby will be Hall of Fame horse trainer Bob Baffert’s second appearance since his four-year ban. He was suspended after his record seventh race victory of 2021 was later overturned due to a failed drug test.
Golden Tempo trainer Cherie DeVaux is looking to make history and became the first trainer to win the Kentucky Derby. Vicki was the last trainer to have a horse in the derby, when Hidden Stash finished 13th in 2021. Shelley Riley has the best finish for female trainers, when Casual Lies came second in 1992.
Smith, So Happy’s jockey, is 59 years old and seeking to become the oldest jockey to ever win the Kentucky Derby. Willie Shoemaker currently holds the record for the oldest jockey to win, having been 54 when Ferdinand won in 1986. Shoemaker died at age 72 in 2003.
Trainer Cherie DeVaux stands in front of a barn after a training session at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky on April 27, 2026. (Charlie Riedel/AP Photo)
How to watch?
- Where: Churchill Downs, Louisville, Kentucky
- When: May 2, 2026
- Expected post time: 6:57 p.m. ET
- Television: NBC
- Grant: $5 million
