The contenders for the 2026 Kentucky Derby are officially lined up, and the morning line puts No. 1 Renegade in the top spot as the favorite, boasting an impressive record of 4 wins against just 1 loss.
Renegade, under the guidance of trainer Todd Pletcher, is slated to arrive at Churchill Downs on March 28. This comes after a couple of back-to-back victories: the Sam F. Davis at Tampa Bay Downs and the G1 Arkansas Derby at Oak Lawn. Irad Ortiz Jr., who has yet to clinch a Kentucky Derby win, is set to ride this promising horse in the 152nd Run for the Roses.
Following closely behind Renegade are No. 6 Commandment and No. 18 Father Add, both trained by Brad Cox, with odds of 6-1 and 5-1, respectively.
Commandment enters the race boasting a four-race winning streak, with his last two triumphs coming by just a neck in the Fountain of Youth and by a mere nose at the Florida Derby. Luis Saez is confirmed to be on board Commandment for Saturday.
Meanwhile, Father Add’s previous race was the Blue Grass Stakes on April 4, where he won convincingly by an astounding 11 lengths. This son of Gun Runner has claimed victory in three of his last four starts, with a second-place finish in the Tampa Bay Derby. Three-time Derby champion John Velasquez will be in the saddle for Father Add.
2026 Kentucky Derby Odds
| No. (position) | Horse | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Renegade | 4-1 |
| 2 | Commandment | 6-1 |
| 3 | Father Add | 5-1 |
| 4 | Other Entries | Various Odds |
This year’s Derby is generating buzz, especially with a few horses emerging as potential longshots as the race day draws nearer.
Another horse to watch is No. 20 Full Effort. Initially starting the season as a 20-1 longshot, he may just be finding his stride following a significant win at the Jeff Ruby Steak on March 21.
Then there’s No. 15 Emerging Markets, trained by Chad Brown. This horse has had limited races but remains undefeated, recently delivering an impressive win at the Louisiana Derby on March 21.
The 152nd Kentucky Derby is scheduled for Saturday, May 2, at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, with a post time of 6:57 PM ET.
