The Kentucky Derby, America’s oldest continuously held horse race, is set for the first Saturday in May 2026. This prestigious event, known as the 152nd Run for the Roses, promises an exciting day filled with anticipation and competition.
2026 Kentucky Derby Details
The 2026 Kentucky Derby will occur at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Scheduled for Saturday, the race will start at 6:57 p.m. ET. Viewers can catch the action live on NBC, starting from 2:30 p.m. ET, with early coverage available on Peacock beginning at noon ET.
Field of Horses
This year, 19 horses will compete for the coveted title. Typically, 20 horses qualify for the race, but this edition will have one less competitor. Qualifications for the Derby include the completion of a series of races from September to mid-April, where the top five finishers earn points. The 20 horses amassing the most points gain entry into the race.
Favorites and Odds
Renegade stands out as the early favorite, with odds of 4-1. Trained by Todd Pletcher and ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr., Renegade aims to seize the moment on this prestigious platform.
Post Positions
The post positions for the 2026 Kentucky Derby are as follows:
| Post Position | Horse | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Renegade | 4-1 |
| 2 | Albus | 30-1 |
| 3 | Intrepido | 50-1 |
| 4 | Litmus Test | 50-1 |
| 6 | Commandment | 6-1 |
| 7 | Danon Bourbon | 20-1 |
| 8 | So Happy | 15-1 |
| 10 | Wonder Dean | 30-1 |
| 11 | Incredibolt | 20-1 |
| 12 | Chief Wallabee | 8-1 |
| 14 | Potente | 20-1 |
| 15 | Emerging Market | 15-1 |
| 16 | Pavlovian | 30-1 |
| 17 | Six Speed | 50-1 |
| 18 | Further Ado | 6-1 |
| 19 | Golden Tempo | 30-1 |
| 21 | Great White | 50-1 |
| 22 | Ocelli | 50-1 |
| 23 | Robusta | 50-1 |
Historical Insights
Post position has a significant impact on the race. Historically, post 5 has been the most successful, producing 10 winners over the years.
Triple Crown Context
The Kentucky Derby is the first of three races in horse racing’s esteemed Triple Crown. The subsequent races include the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes.
Prize Breakdown
The total purse for the 2026 Kentucky Derby stands at an impressive $5 million. The winner will take home $3.1 million, while the second-place finisher will earn $1 million.
As the anticipation builds for the 2026 Kentucky Derby, fans and expert analysts alike eagerly await the race, hoping for another unforgettable chapter in horse racing history.
