DERBY

Kentucky Derby

2026 Kentucky Derby post position draw results: Renegade rides to No. 1

USA TODAY

Updated April 25, 2026, 4:56 p.m. ET

The 152nd edition of the Kentucky Derby will electrify the legendary Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, one week from today. Saturday’s post-position draw revealed where each of the 20 elite thoroughbreds will break from the gate.

The post draw has set the stage: Renegade, the early odds favorite, will break from the coveted No. 1 gate. Commandment, second in odds, draws the No. 6 post, while Further Ado, rounding out the top three in odds, will start from the No. 18 position.

USA TODAY Sports has you covered with updates, results, and expert analysis for the 2026 post position draw.

Kentucky Derby post position draw results

Here is who the 152nd Kentucky Derby will start next Saturday: Odds via KentuckyDerby.com.

No. 1: Renegade | odds: 9-2
No. 2: Albus | odds: 40-1
No. 3: Intrepido | odds: 50-1
No. 4: Litmas Test | odds: 30-1
No 5: Right to Party | odds: 50-1
No. 6: Commandment | odds: 6-1
No. 7: Danon Bourbon | odds: 50-1
No. 8: So Happy | odds: 15-1
No. 9: The Puma | odds: 10-1
No. 10: Wonder Dean | odds: 25-1
No. 11: Incredibolt | odds: 25-1
No. 12: Chief Wallabee | odds: 10-1
No. 13: Silent Tactic | odds: 30-1
No. 14: Potenete | odds: 15-1
No. 15: Emerging Market | odds: 20-1
No. 16: Pavlovian | odds: 40-1
No. 17: Six Speed | odds: 40-1
No. 18: Further Ado | odds: 5-1
No. 19: Golden Tempo | odds: 30-1
No 20: Fulleffort | odds: 20-1

When is 2026 Kentucky Derby post position draw?

The post position draw for the 2026 Kentucky Derby took place on Saturday, April 25, at 2:15 p.m. ET. This event establishes the starting gate assignments for the 152nd Run for the Roses.

How to watch 2026 Kentucky Derby post position draw

The 2026 Kentucky Derby post position draw was broadcast live on FanDuel TV and streamed on KentuckyDerby.com. Local viewers in Louisville could see it on WAVE-3.

3:16 pm ET April 25, 2026

Renegade rides rough post draw

Gabe Zaldivar

Renegade, the early favorite, will start from the No. 1 position. As NBC Sports' John Fanta reminds, that is not the best outcome:

2:37 pm ET April 25, 2026

Kentucky Derby post position draw results, odds

Elizabeth Flores

The 152nd Run for the Roses at Churchill Downs is scheduled for Saturday, May 2, 2026. Odds according to kentuckyderby.com:

No. 1: Renegade | odds: 9-2
No. 2: Albus | odds: 40-1
No. 3: Intrepido | odds: ---
No. 4: Litmas Test | odds: ---
No 5: Right to Party | odds: 50-1
No. 6: Commandment | odds: 6-1
No. 7: Danon Bourbon | odds: 50-1
No. 8: So Happy | odds: 15-1
No. 9: The Puma | odds: 10-1
No. 10: Wonder Dean | odds: 25-1
No. 11: Incredibolt | odds: 25-1
No. 12: Chief Wallabee | odds: 10-1
No. 13: Silent Tactic | odds: 30-1
No. 14: Potenete | odds: 15-1
No. 15: Emerging Market | odds: 20-1
No. 16: Pavlovian | odds: 40-1
No. 17: Six Speed | odds: 40-1
No. 18: Further Ado | odds: 5-1
No. 19: Golden Tempo | odds: 30-1
No 20: Fulleffort | odds: 20-1

2:21 pm ET April 25, 2026

Kentucky Oaks draw results

Elizabeth Flores

The 152nd Kentucky Oaks is scheduled for Friday, May 1. This race, open to 3-year-old fillies, will be held at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, on the day before the Kentucky Derby.

No. 1: Explora
No. 2: Zany
No. 3: Search Party
No. 4: Counting Stars
No. 5 Meaning
No. 6: My Miss Mo
No. 7: Dazzling Dame
No. 8: Bottle of Rogue
No. 9: Always A Runner
No. 10: Prom Queen
No. 11: Percy's Bar
No. 12: Bella Ballerina
No. 13: Pashmina
No. 14: Brooklyn Blonde

1:45 pm ET April 25, 2026

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.

1:30 pm ET April 25, 2026

2026 Kentucky Derby odds and early contenders

Odds via CBS Sports.

Renegade | early odds: 9-2
Commandment | early odds: 5-1
Further Ado | early odds: 6-1
The Puma | early odds: 10-1
Chief Wallabee | early odds: 10-1
Danon Bourbon | early odds: 15-1
Emerging Market | early odds: 15-1
Fulleffort | early odds: 15-1
So Happy | early odds: 15-1
Potente | early odds: 20-1
River Thames | early odds: 20-1
Silent Tactic | early odds: 20-1
Incredibolt | early odds: 30-1
Albus | early odds: 30-1
Chip Honcho | early odds: 30-1
Golden Tempo | early odds: 30-1
Iron Honor | early odds: 30-1
Wonder Dean | early odds: 30-1
Pavlovian | early odds: 30-1
Right to Party | early odds: 30-1
Six Speed | early odds: 30-1

1:15 pm ET April 25, 2026

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."

1:00 pm ET April 25, 2026

What is 2026 Kentucky Derby purse?

The purse amount for the 152nd annual Kentucky Derby has not yet been announced. Last year's winner was awarded a gold trophy, $3.1 million from the total $5 million purse, and the Garland of Roses draped over the winning horse.

12:45 pm ET April 25, 2026

How many horses will run at 2026 Kentucky Derby?

The Kentucky Derby permits a maximum of 20 horses to race in the 1 ¼-mile event at Churchill Downs. Additionally, up to four horses can be listed as "also-eligible" to replace any scratched competitors and may participate if needed.

12:31 pm ET April 25, 2026

When is 2026 Kentucky Derby?

The 152nd Run for the Roses at Churchill Downs is set for Saturday, May 2, 2026. Fans can watch the Kentucky Derby on NBC and USA Network, with streaming options on Peacock.

Date: Saturday, May 2, 2026
Time: 2:30 p.m. ET - 7:30 p.m. ET
TV: NBC, USA Network
Stream: Peacock
Location: Churchill Downs (Louisville, Kentucky)

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