The 2026 Kentucky Derby takes place Saturday, May 2, at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky.
Saturday will be the 152nd running of “The Run for the Roses”. Trainer Todd Pletcher looks to earn his first Kentucky Derby win in 9 years, and his third overall, with early favorite Renegade. The 3-year-old colt will be Pletcher’s 65th Kentucky Derby starter, which is the most in the race’s history.
The distance for the Kentucky Derby is 1 1/4th miles.
Live coverage of the race
What makes a horse eligible for the Kentucky Derby?
The Road to the Kentucky Derby features three paths: the American Road, the Japan Road, and the European/Middle East Road. Prep races for the Derby begin in September 2025 and run through mid-April.
The horses with the most total points on the American road earn a spot in the Kentucky Derby, and invitations will be extended to the top point earners on both the Japan and European/Middle East roads.
Who won the 2025 Kentucky Derby?
Sovereignty won the 2025 race on a sloppy track at Churchill Downs.
Silent Tactic and Fulleffort scratched from race
Silent Tactic is out of the Kentucky Derby with a bruised foot, according to trainer Nark Casse, and will be replaced in the field by Great White.
Fulleffort is also out of the Kentucky Derby with a bone chip and will be replaced in the race by Ocelli.
2026 Sunland Derby winner Pavlovian is in Kentucky Derby
Pavlovian will start from the No. 16 post for trainer Doug O’Neill and jockey Edwin Maldonado.
Kentucky Derby 2026 post positions, horse, trainer, jockey, odds
Click on a horse’s name to learn more:
1. Renegade, Todd Pletcher, Irad Ortiz Jr., 4-1
2. Albus, Riley Mott, Manny Franco, 30-1
3. Intrepido, Jeff Mullins, Hector Berrios, 50-1
4. Litmus Test, Bob Baffert, Martin Garcia, 30-1
5. Right to Party, Kenny McPeek, Chris Elliott, 30-1
6. Commandment, Brad Cox, Luis Saez, 6-1
7. Danon Bourbon, Manabu Ikezoe, Atsuya Nishimura, 20-1
8. So Happy, Mark Glatt, Mike Smith, 15-1
9. The Puma, Gustavo Delgado, Javier Castellano, 10-1
10. Wonder Dean, Daisuke Takayanagi, Ryusei Sakai, 30-1
11. Incredibolt, Riley Mott, Jaime Torres, 20-1
12. Chief Wallabee, Bill Mott, Junior Alvarado, 8-1
13. Silent Tactic, Mark Casse, Cristian Torres, 20-1 (Scratched)
14. Potente, Bob Baffert, Juan Hernandez, 20-1
15. Emerging Market, Chad Brown, Flavien Prat, 15-1
16. Pavlovian, Doug O’Neill, Edwin Maldonado, 30-1
17. Six Speed, Bhupat Seemar, Brian Hernandez Jr., 50-1
18. Further Ado, Brad Cox, John Velazquez, 6-1
19. Golden Tempo, Cherie DeVaux, Jose Ortiz, 30-1
20. Fulleffort, Brad Cox, Tyler Gaffalione, 20-1 (Scratched)
21. Great White, John Ennis, Alex Achard, 50-1
22. Ocelli, Whit Beckman, Joe Ramos, 50-1
Also eligible
23. Robusta, Doug O’Neill, Emisael Jaramillo, 50-1
New Mexico bettors cannot wager on Kentucky Derby or any other races at Churchill Downs
As has been the case since 2024, horse racing fans in New Mexico won’t be able to wager on the Kentucky Derby or any other races at any of the New Mexico racetracks due to a simulcast dispute.
The Kentucky HBPA has withheld the signal due to what it claims is an effort by the state Racing Commission and racetracks to strip the New Mexico Horsemen’s Association of its rights.
The five racetracks in New Mexico are Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino near El Paso, Ruidoso, Zia Park in Hobbs, The Downs at Albuquerque and SunRay Park Farmington.
Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino will show the Kentucky Derby live via the NBC feed and other tacks are available to wager on such as Belmont@Aqueduct, Tampa Bay, Parx, Gulfstream, Woodbine, Fairmount Park, and Sun Ray, Santa Anita
What’s the weather forecast for 2026 Kentucky Derby
Per the Weather Channel,l there will be dry conditions with a high of 62 degrees and a low of 39 with partly cloudy skies.
Felix F. Chavez can be reached at fchavez@elpasotimes.com; @Fchavezeptimes on X
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Kentucky Derby 2026: See updated list of horses, odds and post positions
Reporting by Felix F. Chavez, El Paso Times / El Paso Times
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