2026 Kentucky Derby live odds: New favorite after betting shift in field
Mark GiannottoThe 2026 Kentucky Derby is only days away, and there's movement among the list of favorites.
Renegade had been considered the pre-race favorite, but then drew the No. 1 post position on the rail. That spot hasn't produced a Kentucky Derby winner since Ferdinand in 1986. Though Renegade, the Todd Pletcher-trained horse, has maintained steady odds, The Puma is surging and three other horses have better than 10-1 odds with race day at Churchill Downs approaching.
Commandment (9-1) beat The Puma in a photo finish at the Florida Derby in March, but Mage (2023) and Sovereignty (2025) are both recent Kentucky Derby winners who finished second at Gulfstream Park before coming to Churchill Downs.
Kentucky Derby odds for 2026 field
Here's a look at the current odds for all the favorites and long shots in the field at the 2026 Kentucky Derby:
Odds as of 9 a.m. ET on Thursday, April 30, according to kentuckyderby.com.
- Renegade (9-2)
- So Happy (6-1)
- Further Ado (6-1)
- The Puma (7-1)
- Commandment (7-1)
- Emerging Market (13-1)
- Chief Wallabee (13-1)
- Danon Bourbon (14-1)
- Fulleffort (19-1)
- Wonder Dean (20-1)
- Potente (27-1)
- Right to Party (30-1)
- Incredibolt (37-1)
Silent Tactic (38-1)(scratched)- Litmus Test (39-1)
- Great White (44-1)
- Six Speed (44-1)
- Golden Tempo (48-1)
- Albus (51-1)
- Pavlovian (52-1)
- Intrepido (62-1)
Renegade regains place as favorite late April 29
The Renegade who had it made is back atop the list of 2026 Kentucky Derby favorites in the latest live odds at the Kentucky Derby website.
After The Puma opened April 29 odds leaderboard, Renegade regained the favorite position at 9-2, with So Happy and Further Ado vaulting past The Puma's 7-1 odds, each at 6-1. You can see the latest odds below.
The Puma opens April 29 with best odds to win 2026 Kentucky Derby
The Puma has only raced three times, but that doesn't seem to bother early Kentucky Derby bettors.
The 3-year-old chestnut colt has emerged as the horse with the best live odds to win the 152nd Run for the Roses a few days out from the first Triple Crown race of the year. Chalk it up as another sign of how wide open the field of 20 horses appears to be for the 2026 Kentucky Derby on Saturday, May 2.
Watch the Kentucky Derby on PeacockKentucky Derby 2026: TV, streaming and where to watch
- Date: Saturday, May 2
- Coverage starts: 2:30 p.m. ET
- Post time: 6:57 p.m. ET
- TV: NBC
- Stream: Peacock
- Location: Churchill Downs (Louisville, Kentucky)
Our editors independently choose our recommendations. Some content is produced with paid support from a third party, however our editorial decisions remain independent. If you buy through our links, the USA TODAY Network may earn a commission. Prices and availability may change.
Gambling involves risk. Please only gamble with funds that you can comfortably afford to lose. While we do our utmost to offer good advice and information we cannot be held responsible for any loss that may be incurred as a result of gambling. We do our best to make sure all the information that we provide on this site is correct. However, from time to time mistakes will be made and we will not be held liable. Please check any stats or information if you are unsure how accurate they are. No guarantees are made with regards to results or financial gain. All forms of betting carry financial risk and it is up to the individual to make bets with or without the assistance of information provided on this site and we cannot be held responsible for any loss that may be incurred as a result of following the betting tips provided on this site. Past performances do not guarantee success in the future and betting odds fluctuate from one minute to the next. The material contained on this site is intended to inform, entertain and educate the reader and in no way represents an inducement to gamble legally or illegally or any sort of professional advice.
Gannett may earn revenue from sports betting operators for audience referrals to betting services. Sports betting operators have no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. Terms apply, see operator site for Terms and Conditions. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help is available. Call the National Council on Problem Gambling 24/7 at 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ, OH), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN). Must be 21 or older to gamble. Sports betting and gambling are not legal in all locations. Be sure to comply with laws applicable where you reside. It is your sole responsibility to act in accordance with your local laws.