2026 Kentucky Derby Odds: Top Contenders and Opening Betting Lines Revealed

2026 Kentucky Derby: Key Details and Top Contenders

The 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby is scheduled for 6:57 p.m. ET on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. The event will feature 20 of the world’s top three-year-old horses competing for a $5 million purse.

Last year’s Derby drew over $234.4 million in wagers, a figure expected to rise in 2026. Weather conditions are projected to be cloudy but dry, contrasting with last year’s challenging race day.

Top Contenders and Opening Odds

The current favorite is Renegade, trained by two-time Derby winner Todd Pletcher (2010, 2017) and ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr. Renegade, a son of Into Mischief, has been undefeated in two 2026 starts, including a dominant four-length win at the Grade I Arkansas Derby with a 107 speed figure. Churchill Downs’ new oddsmaker, Nick Tammaro, has set Renegade as the projected 4-1 chalk.

The second choice is Commandment, ridden by Luis Saez and trained by Brad Cox. Another Into Mischief colt, Commandment has won three stakes races at Gulfstream Park, including the Florida Derby by a nose. His morning line odds are 6-1.

Full Opening Odds for the 2026 Kentucky Derby

Updated as of May 1, 11:35 p.m. ET, here are the latest track odds from Churchill Downs:

• 1. Renegade (Irad Ortiz Jr., Todd A. Pletcher) – 6-1 (Morning line: 4-1)
• 2. Albus (Manuel Franco, Riley Mott) – 46-1 (Morning line: 30-1)
• 3. Intrepido (Hector I. Berrios, Jeff Mullins) – 48-1 (Morning line: 50-1)
• 4. Litmus Test (Martin Garcia, Bob Baffert) – 31-1 (Morning line: 30-1)
• 5. Right to Party (Christopher Elliott, Kenneth G. Mcpeek) – Scratch
• 6. Commandment (Luis Saez, Brad H. Cox) – 6-1 (Morning line: 6-1)
• 7. Danon Bourbon (Atsuya Nishimura, Manabu Ikezoe) – 15-1 (Morning line: 20-1)
• 8. So Happy (Mike E. Smith, Mark Glatt) – 6-1 (Morning line: 15-1)
• 9. The Puma (Javier Castellano, Gustavo Delgado) – 9-1 (Morning line: 10-1)
• 10. Wonder Dean (Ryusei Sakai, Daisuke Takayanagi) – 23-1 (Morning line: 30-1)
• 11. Incredibolt (Jaime A. Torres, Riley Mott) – 26-1 (Morning line: 20-1)
• 12. Chief Wallabee (Junior Alvarado, William I. Mott) – 8-1 (Morning line: 8-1)
• 13. Silent Tactic (Christian A. Torres, Mark E. Casse) – Scratch
• 14. Potente (Juan J. Hernandez, Bob Baffert) – 22-1 (Morning line: 12-1)
• 15. Emerging Market (Flavlen Prat, Chad C. Brown) – 10-1 (Morning line: 15-1)
• 16. Pavlovian (Edwin A. Maldonado, Doug F. O’Neill) – 49-1 (Morning line: 30-1)
• 17. Six Speed (Brian J. Hernandez, Jr., Bhupat Seemar) – 35-1 (Morning line: 50-1)
• 18. Further Ado (John R. Velazquez, Brad H. Cox) – 7-1 (Morning line: 6-1)
• 19. Golden Tempo (Jose L. Ortiz, Cherie Devaux) – 30-1 (Morning line: 30-1)
• 20. Fulleffort (Tyler Gaffalione, Brad H. Cox) – Scratch
• 21. Great White (Alex Achard, John Ennis) – 25-1 (Morning line: 50-1)
• 22. Ocelli (Joseph D. Ramos, D. Whitworth Beckman) – 99-1 (Morning line: 50-1)
• 23. Robusta (Emisael Jaramillo, Doug F. O’Neill) – 99-1 (Morning line: 50-1)
• 24. Corona de Oro (Brian J. Hernandez, Jr., Dallas Stewart) – Scratch

What to Watch For

Renegade’s dominance and Commandment’s consistency make them the horses to beat. Bettors should also monitor Further Ado (7-1) and Chief Wallabee (8-1), both showing strong form. Scratches include Right to Party, Silent Tactic, and Fulleffort.

Stay updated as the 2026 Kentucky Derby approaches for any changes in odds or contender status.