Kentucky Derby 2026 Contenders, Final Vegas Odds and Projections for Top Horses
The 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby takes place Saturday evening in Louisville at the historic Churchill Downs, with a field as unpredictable as any in recent memory.
Who makes up the 20-horse lineup? What are the current odds and where should fans expect to see the top contender finish?
Find out in this preview of the latest Run for the Roses.
Lineup and Current Odds
1 of 2
1. Renegade (4-1)
2. Albus (30-1)
3. Intrepido (50-1)
4. Litmus Test (50-1)
5. Right to Party Scratched
6. Commandment (6-1)
7. Danon Bourbon (20-1)
8. So Happy (15-1)
9. The Puma Scratched
10. Wonder Dean (30-1)
11. Incredibolt (20-1)
12. Chief Wallabee (8-1)
13. Silent Tactic Scratched
14. Potente (20-1)
15. Emerging Market (15-1)
16. Pavlovian (30-1)
17. Six Speed (50-1)
18. Further Ado (6-1)
19. Golden Tempo (30-1)
20. Fulleffort Scratched
21. Great White (50-1)
22. Ocelli (50-1)
23. Robusta (50-1)
Odds via Kentucky Derby
Projections
2 of 2
Renegade
Renegade is not only the favorite to win this year's race, but he is the most complete horse in the field. With explosive speed and distance running, his strengths are exactly what are needed to achieve victory at Churchill Downs.
That he has the benefit of one of the best trainers in the sport in two-time Kentucky Derby winner Todd Pletcher, is fresh off a victory at Oaklawn Park, and has momentum on his side entering Saturday's race, makes him the easiest bet in the field.
His lack of competition, the level of which he will encounter Saturday, and his relative inexperience could be costly, but do not be surprised to see Renegade in the winner's circle, or at least placing come Saturday night.
Projection: A top-three finish
Commandment
Jocked by Luis Saez and prepared by elite trainer Brad H. Cox, Commandment has won four of the five races he has competed in and enters Saturday's race with the most momentum of any horse.
He has not competed against a field as strong as the one he will see on Saturday, and has only appeared in five races, drawing questions about his experience.
Still, he has answered the call in all of his race appearances to this point and has the raw tools to sprint to the front of the field down the back stretch and win Cox his second Kentucky Derby.
Projection: Top five finish
Further Ado
Further Ado is no stranger to Churchill Downs, already earning a win at the prestigious track last November at the Kentucky Jockey Club. Ridden by jockey John Velazquez, with three Kentucky Derby wins of his own, the colt has proven that he can win at the track, at the distance, and against top contenders.
His competition to this point has not been the strongest, but he has experience on fast dirt, and barring any unforeseen weather conditions on Saturday in Louisville, that is what he will run on.
While others have better odds, Further Ado may be the best and most likely horse to win this year's Run for the Roses, thanks, in large part, to his recent runs and the momentum he has built along the way.
Projection: Winner; top three at the least
