Kentucky Derby 2026 Full Lineup of Horses, Favorites and Sleepers in 152nd Race

The 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby is just days away, and we're getting a clear picture of how the 20-horse field will look. Post positions were drawn last weekend and were shuffled on Wednesday when trainer Mark Casse made the decision to scratch Silent Tactic.

"It's very, very slight. It's very slight, so that's the good news," Casse said, per Stephen Whyno of the Associated Press. "The timing's poor, but it's not a big deal and that's the most important thing."

Fulleffort was scratched on Thursday morning, replaced by Ocelli, who will now run from the No. 20 gate.

Here's an updated look at the field, latest odds, and some favorites and sleepers worth tracking ahead of race day.

2026 Kentucky Derby

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When: Saturday, May 2

Where: Churchill Downs in Louisville

Race Length: 1¼ miles

Prize Purse: $5 million ($3.1 million to winner)

Post Time: 6:57 p.m. ET

Main Broadcast: 2:20 p.m. ET

TV and Live Stream: NBC and Peacock

Updated Post Positions and Odds

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Renegade is washed in the barn area after morning workouts ahead of the running of the 152nd Kentucky Derby

1. Renegade 5-1

2. Albus 51-1

3. Intrepido 59-1

4. Litmus Test 37-1

5. Right to Party 29-1

6. Commandment 7-1

7. Danon Bourbon 14-1

8. So Happy 6-1

9. The Puma 7-1

10. Wonder Dean 20-1

11. Incredibolt 37-1

12. Chief Wallabee 12-1

13. Potente 26-1

14. Emerging Market 12-1

15. Pavlovian 49-1

16. Six Speed 45-1

17. Further Ado 7-1

18. Golden Tempo 45-1

19. Great White 41-1

20. Ocelli 50-1

21. (alt) Robusta 50-1

22. (alt) Corona de Oro 50-1

*Odds from KentuckyDerby.com. Fulleffort was scratched on Thursday morning.

Favorites

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This year's field includes a couple of favorites worth considering at the current odds, including morning-line favorite Renegade. The Todd Pletcher-trained colt made a statement by winning the Arkansas Derby and is considered one of the strongest contenders for the Triple Crown.

While Renegade drew an unfavorable position in the No. 1 gate, Irad Ortiz Jr. is a very experienced jockey who should be able to navigate the tough early traffic. Ortiz has won the Belmont twice and the Breeders' Cup Classic twice.

The Brad Cox-trained Commandment is another favorite with a slightly more favorable position in the No. 6 gate. Jockey Luis Saez will still have to navigate an early inside run, but shouldn't need to worry about getting pinned at the rail.

While both Renegade and Commandment have what it takes to win the Kentucky Derby, Renegade was voted the top favorite in a recent National Thoroughbred Racing Association poll.

The Puma is another favorite worth considering, and one who has seen considerable action through the week. The Gustavo Delgado-trained horse narrowly finished second to Commandment at the Florida Derby and can certainly make a run for the roses.

Sleepers

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Some bettors may want to avoid this year's favorites altogether. Justify (2018) was the last morning-line favorite to win the Derby, and three of the last four winners had odds of 10-1 or longer.

Those looking for sleepers should consider the two Japanese horses in the field, Wonder Dean and Danon Bourbon. Wonder Dean is coming off a win at the UAE Derby, while Danon Bourbon is undefeated in three races.

No Japanese Horse has ever won the Derby, but Forever Young came close with a third-place finish in 2024.

Great White might also deserve some consideration. The John Eniss-trained horse is coming off a fifth-place finish at the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes and could have a tricky start from the outside. However, winning as a sleeper from that spot has happened before.

Rich Strike famously came off the also-eligible list in 2022 to win the Kentucky Derby at 80-1 odds.

According to horse-racing expert Gene Menez, Chief Wallabee is also a non-favorite to consider.

"If the blinkers make even a little bit of difference, then Chief Wallabee is a major player considering there's not much difference between him and, say, Commandment," Menez said, per CBS Sports' Daniel Kohn.

Chief Wallabee is trained by Bill Mott, who trained last year's Derby winner, Sovereignty.