2026 Kentucky Derby Contenders, Longshots & Event Information
The annual Run for the Roses, the Kentucky Derby, has been captivating the imagination of horse racing fans and bettors for over a century and a half. This year’s edition, which unfolds on Saturday, May 2nd at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, will mark the 152nd running of the most-watched and most-attended horse race in America.
Not only is the Derby a momentous event in and of itself, it also marks the first installment of the sport’s annual Triple Crown. The Preakness Stakes, which will be run May 16 at Laurel Park in Maryland, and the Belmont Stakes, which takes place on June 6 at Saratoga Race Course in New York, constitute the other two components of the most noteworthy month-plus on the annual horse racing calendar.
The Kentucky Derby has naturally delivered many memorable moments and finishes throughout its extensive history. Secretariat’s speed record of 1:59.4 in 1973, Justify’s 2018 victory marking the first one by a horse to not have won as a two-year-old since 1882, and Rich Strike’s 2022 win as an 80 to 1 underdog are just some of the top milestones accomplished at the Derby over the last half-century or so.
While there are no repeat winners in the Kentucky Derby due to the race being limited exclusively to three-year-old thoroughbreds, eight-time-champion owner Calumet Farms holds the record in that category, while Ben Jones and Bob Baffert are the co-leaders in trainer wins with six apiece.
2026 Kentucky Derby Schedule & Information
While the main event of Derby Week is naturally the big race itself, there are plenty of surrounding events that tee up what is commonly known as “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports.” Below is a glance at the full week of events that make Louisville the centerpiece of horse racing fandom as April gives way to May.
Saturday, April 25
- Opening Day: First Race at 12:45 p.m. ET
The week’s festivities begin with a day that serves as an ideal blend of ceremony and tradition. With the Kentucky Derby being steeped in so much history, Opening Day allows horse racing enthusiasts to celebrate the aura of the Derby while enjoying live entertainment and family-friendly events throughout the afternoon. There’s 10 races overall on the docket as well, along with the Derby and Oaks post-position draws.
Sunday, April 26
- Sunday Funday: First Race at 12:45 p.m. ET
The second day of Derby Week features Sunday racing for the first time since 2010, and given the day of the week, no shortage of brunch-related opportunities as well! There is also a Virtual Reality Horse Racing experience that allows guests to immerse themselves in a simulated race through JockeyCam and a photo opportunity with a Replica Derby Trophy. Meanwhile, on the track, nine total races are on the ledger, building plenty of momentum for the week ahead.
Monday, April 27
- Dawn at the Downs: Starts at 7:00 a.m. ET
The Dawn at the Downs represents a rather unique start to the weekday portion of Derby Week. As the moniker for the day suggests, attendees are able to watch both Derby and Oaks participants go through their morning workouts, and they also have an opportunity to partake in a breakfast buffet on Millionaire’s Row and the Stakes Room.
Tuesday, April 28
- 502’s Day: First Race at 12:45 p.m. ET
The aptly-named 502’s Day, which commemorates Louisville’s area code, counts celebrating the Bluegrass State’s most populous city and host site of the Kentucky Derby as its theme. Attendees can enjoy a full card of nine races as well beginning at 12:45 p.m. ET, and general admission is only $5. Outside of the action on the track, visitors can also enjoy local-themed events such as a Weird Wall Photo Op, a Neighborhoods Caricature Corner and Style Under the Spires: Derby Week Fashion Contest, which showcases the best of local stars and designers.
Wednesday, April 29
- Winsday: First Race at 12:45 p.m. ET
Like 502s Day on Tuesday, Winsday is also commemorating its fourth edition. The mid-week staple, which features a 10-race card, takes place in partnership with the Community Foundation of Louisville. Local non-profit organizations take center stage, highlighting their respective missions and raising money for the causes they represent through a number of draws. Tickets are purchased directly from registered non-profits, and $5 from each purchase is donated to an attendee’s chosen organization.
Thursday, April 30
- Thurby: First Race at 12:45 p.m. ET
Presented by Old Forester and carried out in partnership with the Frazier Kentucky History Museum, Thurby is a day centered on Kentucky’s rich 233-year history. In addition to a robust 12-race schedule, other highlights include a Cool Kentucky Print Giveaway, live entertainment, photo opportunities and an edition of the Derby Week Fashion Contest that features contestants dressing in their best vintage apparel.
Friday, May 1
- Kentucky Oaks: First Race 12:30 p.m. ET
After several days of priming the pump for Derby Week’s big finish, we have an exciting warm-up day for Saturday’s flagship race. The Kentucky Oaks, the centerpiece of Friday’s events, is momentous in its own right, as it’s considered the U.S.’s premier race for three-year-old fillies. The Oaks, which caps off a massive 13-race ledger, features a $1.5 million purse and bestows the “Lilies for the Fillies” garland on its winner. The day’s theme is breast cancer awareness and features a Survivors Parade between the ninth and 10th race of the day, as well as an edition of the Derby Week Fashion Contest where participants are encouraged to incorporate pink into their attire.
Saturday, May 2
- Kentucky Derby: First Race at 11:00 a.m. ET
The culmination of a busy week is naturally the 152nd edition of the Kentucky Derby. Unlike the eclectic days leading up to it, Race Day’s overriding focus is on the action at Churchill Downs’ track. The day begins bright and early by Derby Week standards with gates opening at 9:00 a.m. ET, and the first of 14 races starting at 11:00 a.m. ET. The Derby itself is the 12th event of the day and features a post time of 6:57 p.m. ET, while the night concludes with a pair of final races at 8:00 p.m. ET and 8:33 p.m. ET.
2026 Kentucky Derby Contenders & Longshots
(Odds listed current at time of publish)
- Danon Bourbon/Jockey: Atsuya Nishimura (20-1)
- Incredibolt/Jockey: Jamie Torres (20-1)
- Potente /Jockey: Juan Hernandez (20-1)
- Albus/Jockey: Manny Franco (30-1)
- Pavlovian/Jockey: Edwin Maldonado (30-1)
- Golden Tempo/Jockey: Jose Ortiz (30-1)
- Wonder Dean/Jockey: Ryusei Sakai (30-1)
- Intrepido/Jockey: Hector Berrios (50-1)
- Litmus Test/Jockey: Martin Garcia (50-1)
- Six Speed/Jockey: Brian Hernandez Jr. (50-1)
- Great White/Jockey: Alex Achard (50-1)
- Ocelli/Jockey: Joe Ramos (50-1)
- Robusta/Jockey: Emisael Jaramillo (50-1)
2026 Kentucky Derby Favorites
(Odds listed current at time of publish)
1. Renegade/Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr. (4-1)
Odds-on favorite Renegade is a 3-year old colt trained by Todd A. Pletcher and has been racing since 2025. He was sired by Into Mischief out of the mare Spice Is Nice and bred by Robert and Lawana Low. Renegade has raced at several notable tracks, including Belmont at Aqueduct, Aqueduct and Saratoga, and he’s recorded wins at Oaklawn Park and Tampa Bay Downs. Renegade’s stakes wins have included victories at the 2026 Arkansas Derby (G1) and the 2026 Sam F. Davis as a longshot. Overall, he boasts two first-place finishes, two second-place finishes and one third-place finish.
2. Commandment/Jockey: Luis Saez (6-1)
Commandment is a 3-year-old colt trained by Brad H. Cox and has been racing since 2025. He was sired by Into Mischief out of the mare Sippican Harbor and was bred in Kentucky by Lee Pokoik. Commandment has raced and won at both Churchill Downs and Gulfstream Park, recording victories in 2026 Florida Derby (G1), the 2026 Fountain of Youth (G2) and the 2026 Mucho Macho Man as a longshot. Commandment boasts four consecutive first-place finishes dating back to November 2025.
3. Further Ado/Jockey: John Velasquez (6-1)
Further Ado is a 3-year-old colt trained by Brad H. Cox and has been racing since July 2025. He was sired by Gun Runner out of the mare Sky Dreamer and was bred in Kentucky by John C. Oxley. Further Ado has raced on six occasions, including Saratoga, Keeneland and Churchill Downs. He’s recorded three first-place finishes, including a stakes race at Churchill and the Grade 1 Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland, as well as a second-place finish at a stakes race at Tampa Bay Downs.
4. Chief Wallabee/Jockey: Junior Alvarado (8-1)
Chief Wallabee is a 3-year-old colt trained by William I. Motta, bred by Mike Ball and Katherine Ball and still within his first year of racing. Chief Wallabee was sired by Constitution out of the mare A La Lucie. He recorded a first-place finish in his Jan. 10 debut at a Gulfstream Park MSW, and he followed it with a second-place finish at the 2026 Fountain of Youth (G2) and a third-place slotting at the 2026 Florida Derby (G1).
Other noteworthy top contenders: The Puma/Jockey: Javier Castellanos (10-1); So Happy/Jockey: Mike Smith (15-1)/ Emerging Market/Jockey: Flavien Pratt (15-1)
Photo Credit: AP/Charlie Riedel
