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The 152nd Kentucky Derby, home of “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports,” will take place Saturday at the legendary Churchill Downs racetrack in Louisville, Kentucky.
The first leg of the Triple Crown is traditionally celebrated on the first Saturday in May. Twenty three-year-old horses will compete for a purse of $5 million, with the winner of the 1¼-mile race taking home $3.1 million.
Three horses have already been eliminated from this year’s race. Silent Tactic was eliminated due to a foot injury and will be replaced by Great White. Fulleffort was ruled out with an ankle injury and is replaced by Ocelli. Derecho a Fiesta was ruled out due to right front lameness and will be replaced by Robusta.
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Horses run on the track during morning training for the 152nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, on April 30, 2026. (Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Here’s what you need to know ahead of the race:
Who is competing and what are the betting odds?
- Renegado (Irad Ortiz Jr.) 4-1
- Albus (Manny Franco) 30-1
- Intrepido (Héctor Berríos) 50-1
- Trial by fire (Martín García) 50-1
- Right to Party (Chris Elliott) RAYADO
- Commandment (Luis Sáez) 6-1
- Danon Bourbon (Atsuya Nishimura) 20-1
- Very happy (Mike Smith) 15-1
- The Puma (Javier Castellano) 10-1
- Wonder Dean (Ryusei Sakai) 30-1
- Incredibolt (Jaime Torres) 20-1
- Wallabee Chief (Junior Alvarado) 8-1
- Silent Tactics (Cristian Torres) RAYADO
- Powerful (Juan Hernández) 20-1
- Emerging Market (Flavien Prat) 15-1
- Pavlovian (Edwin Maldonado) 30-1
- Six Speeds (Brian Hernández Jr.) 50-1
- More ado about nothing (John Velásquez) 6-1
- Golden Tempo (José Ortiz) 30-1
- Total Effort (Tyler Gaffalione) 20-1
- Great White (Alex Achard) 50-1
- Ocelli (Joe Ramos) 50-1
- Robusta (Cristián Torres) 50-1
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Kentucky Derby participant Puma exercises at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, on May 1, 2026. (Charlie Riedel/AP Photo)
Who are the favorites?
Renegade, trained by Todd A. Pletcher, is the current favorite at 4-1. Commandment, who is trained by Brad H. Cox, and Further Ado, who is also trained by Cox, are 6-1.
Chief Wallabee, trained by William I. Mott, is 8-1. Puma, which is coached by Gustavo Delgado, has a 10-1 record.
What everyone is talking about before the derby
Weather is not expected to be a factor. It will be a little cooler than usual in the morning and there is a chance of rain in the afternoon, but it should be clear for the race. It is projected to be 58 degrees when the race starts, which is colder than the average Kentucky Derby temperature of 74 degrees, according to Kentucky.com.
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A horse heads to the track for exercise at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, on May 1, 2026. (Charlie Riedel/AP Photo)
The 152nd Kentucky Derby will be Hall of Fame horse trainer Bob Baffert’s second appearance since he was suspended for four years. He was given a suspension after his record seventh race win of 2021 was later overturned due to a failed drug test.
Cherie DeVaux, the trainer of Golden Tempo, is looking to make history, becoming the first trainer to win the Kentucky Derby. Vicki was the last trainer to have a horse in the Derby, when Hidden Stash finished 13th in 2021. Shelley Riley has the best finish for trainers, when Casual Lies came second in 1992.
So Happy’s jockey Smith is 59 years old and looking to become the oldest jockey to win the Kentucky Derby. Willie Shoemaker currently holds the record for oldest jockey to win, as he was 54 years old when Ferdinand won in 1986. Shoemaker died at age 72 in 2003.
Trainer Cherie DeVaux stands outside a barn after working out at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, on April 27, 2026. (Charlie Riedel/AP Photo)
How to watch?
- Where: Churchill Downs, Louisville, Kentucky
- When: May 2, 2026
- Projected release time: 6:57 pm ET
- Television: NBC
- Portfolio: 5 million dollars
