This weekend is the first Saturday in May.
That means one of the most anticipated events in sports is upon us: the Kentucky Derby.
This year’s lineup includes a horse with a remarkable winning streak and another top contender facing a tricky start due to the draw.
How to watch the 2026 Kentucky Derby
The race kicks off on Saturday, May 2, at 12:00 PM ET on NBC, but there will be several preliminary races beforehand.
The coverage starts at 12:00 PM ET and continues on NBCSN and Peacock until 2:30 PM ET, after which the Derby will air on NBC and Peacock until 7:30 PM.
You can also catch the entire event on Peacock starting at noon ET.
What are the odds for the race?
The odds will fluctuate as the race time nears, but here are the current figures for the 2026 Kentucky Derby, organized by post position:
post |
horse |
jockey |
trainer |
odds |
situation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Renegade | Airado Ortiz Jr. | Todd A. Pletcher | 4-1 | in the field |
| 2 | albus | Manuel Franco | Riley Mott | 30-1 | in the field |
| 3 | intrepid | Hector I. Berrios | Jeff Mullins | 50-1 | in the field |
| 4 | litmus paper | martin garcia | bob baffert | 30-1 | in the field |
| 5 | right to party | christopher elliott | Kenneth G. McPeek | 26-1 | There are scratches |
| 6 | instruction | Luis Saez | Brad H. Cox | 7-1 | in the field |
| 7 | danone bourbon | Atsuya Nishimura | Manabu Ikezoe | 14-1 | in the field |
| 8 | very happy | Mike E. Smith | Mark Glatt | 6-1 | in the field |
| 9 | puma | Javier Castellano | Gustavo Delgado | 8-1 | in the field |
| 10 | wonder dean | Sakai Ryusei | Daisuke Takayanagi | 20-1 | in the field |
| 11 | incredible bolt | Jaime A. Torres | Riley Mott | 27-1 | in the field |
| 12 | chief wallaby | Junior Alvarado | William I. Mott | 9-1 | in the field |
| 13 | tactics of silence | Christian A. Torres | Mark E. Cass | 38-1 | There are scratches |
| 14 | Potente | Juan J. Hernandez | bob baffert | 23-1 | in the field |
| 15 | emerging market | Flavren Plat | Chad C. Brown | 11-1 | in the field |
| 16 | Pavlovian | Edwin A. Maldonado | Doug F. O’Neill | 52-1 | in the field |
| 17 | 6 speed | Brian J. Hernandez Jr. | Bhupat Seemal | 40-1 | in the field |
| 18 | Even more commotion | John R. Velazquez | Brad H. Cox | 7-1 | in the field |
| 19 | golden tempo | Jose L. Ortiz | Shelley Deveaux | 36-1 | in the field |
| 20 | With all my might | Tyler Gaffalione | Brad H. Cox | 19-1 | There are scratches |
| 21 | great white shark | alex achard | John Ennis | 29-1 | in the field |
| 22 | Ocelli | Joseph D. Ramos | D. Whitworth Beckman | 50-1 | in the field |
| 23 | robusta state | Emisael Jaramillo | Doug F. O’Neill | 50-1 | in the field |
Players to watch at the Kentucky Derby
Renegade is the standout favorite heading into the 2026 Kentucky Derby, but it’s worth noting that no. 1 position can be a gamble; it doesn’t always bode well for the frontrunners. In fact, the last horse to win from that spot was Ferdinand in 1986, a long time ago for most of us.
This three-year-old colt has managed to win his last four races, including the Florida Derby, which has a history of producing Derby champions. Commentary noted that he averaged a stride of 22.92 feet and finished the last furlong in a swift 12.32 seconds, which was notably faster than his competitors.
Addo is another name to keep an eye on. Also trained by Brad H. Cox, he won his debut race at Keeneland by an impressive 20 lengths, and with Hall of Fame jockey John Velasquez in the saddle, he might just have what it takes.
As of Friday morning, three horses have been scratched from the race: Right to Party, Silent Tactic, and Full Effort.
What else should I know?
Hosting a Derby party? You might want to start with the classic mint julep. If you’re unsure where to find a good recipe, Alton Brown’s is a solid choice. It’s a must-have for any Derby celebration.
Additionally, having the right menu is essential. Traditional Kentucky Derby fare includes items like chicken salad sandwiches, chargrilled short ribs with pomegranate and fennel, honey bourbon grilled chicken, and brown sugar-glazed carrots—sounds delicious, right?
