Early Kentucky Derby contenders: Expert picks for 2026 Triple Crown
Mark GiannottoGet ready for the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby and the pursuit of another Triple Crown.
The biggest event in horse racing is nearly here, with most of the race entrants for this year's Run for the Roses solidified and post positions set to be drawn on Saturday, April 25. The 20 horses in the 2026 Kentucky Derby field will again be determined by points standings accrued through a series of designated races at tracks around the world.
The horses with the most points earn a starting gate at Churchill Downs on Saturday, May 2 in the first leg of horse racing's Triple Crown. Though there are still some potential tweaks to the race lineup between now and when this year's "Call to the Post" is played, early favorites have been established based on recent preliminary races and experts' picks are already rolling in.
Here's a breakdown of the latest odds and expert picks ahead of the 2026 Kentucky Derby:
When is the 2026 Kentucky Derby?
The 2026 Kentucky Derby is set to be held on Saturday, May 2 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Coverage begins at 2:30 p.m. ET and post time is scheduled for 6:57 p.m. ET.
Kentucky Derby 2026 odds
Odds courtesy of kentuckyderby.com as of 3 p.m. ET on April 21
- Renegade (9-2)
- Further Ado (5-1)
- Commandment (6-1)
- Chief Wallabee (10-1)
- The Puma (10-1)
- Potente (15-1)
- So Happy (15-1)
- Emerging Market (20-1)
- Fulleffort (20-1)
- Incredibolt (25-1)
- Wonder Dean (25-1)
- Golden Tempo (30-1)
- Silent Tactic (30-1)
- Albus (40-1)
- Chip Honcho (40-1)
- Class President (40-1)
- Pavlovian (40-1)
- Six Speed (40-1)
- Right to Party (50-1)
- Danon Bourbon (50-1)
2026 Kentucky Derby expert picks, predictions
KentuckyDerby.com: Commandment or Renegade ranked No. 1
The handicappers and experts at KentuckyDerby.com, the official website for the Churchill Downs race, either have Commandment or Renegade as their top pick for the 2026 Kentucky Derby. Five experts have Commandment slotted as the No. 1 contender, while two picked Renegade.
Horse Racing Nation: Further Ado is top pick
"Further Ado won the 100-point Blue Grass Stakes (G1) when he overwhelmed that field of seven to win by 11 lengths. He was second in the Tampa Bay Derby (G3) in his first start of the year. The son of Gun Runner broke his maiden at Keeneland as a 2-year-old by 20 lengths. Street Sense in 2007 was the last Kentucky Derby winner to prep in the Blue Grass."
Jody Demling, CBS Sports: Renegade
"Renegade has won both of his starts as a 3-year-old, including the G1 Arkansas Derby in late March. This comes after going winless as a juvenile across three races. ... Saddled by Todd Pletcher, Renegade has the most experienced trainer in Kentucky Derby history. Pletcher's had 65 starters at the Run for the Roses, which is 14 more than any other trainer. Two of those horses have prevailed at Churchill Downs for Pletcher, but none of his last 13 Derby starters have finished in the money."
How to watch 2026 Kentucky Derby: TV, live stream
The 2026 Kentucky Derby undercard races will be broadcast by NBC Sports Network and Peacock (Noon-2:30 p.m. ET) on Saturday, May 2.
Coverage of the 2026 Kentucky Derby will then shift to NBC and Peacock from 2:30-7:30 p.m. ET, with post time for the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby scheduled for 6:57 p.m. ET.
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