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The 152nd Kentucky Derby, home of “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports,” takes place Saturday at the legendary Churchill Downs racetrack in Louisville, Kentucky.
The first leg of the Triple Crown is traditionally held on the first Saturday in May. 23-year-old horses will compete for a $5 million purse, with the winner of the 1¼-mile race taking home $3.1 million.
Three horses have already been scratched from this year’s race. Silent Tactic was scratched due to a foot injury and will be replaced by Great White. Fulleffort was scratched with an ankle injury and has been replaced by Ocelli. Right to Party was scratched due to lameness in the right front 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 heading into the race:
Who is driving and what are the odds?
- Renegade (Irad Ortiz Jr.) 4-1
- Albus (Manny Franco) 30-1
- Intrepido (Hector Berrios) 50-1
- Litmus test (Martin Garcia) 50-1
- The Right to Party (Chris Elliott) THE ADVICE
- Bid (Luis Saez) 6-1
- Danon Bourbon (Atsuya Nishimura) 20-1
- So Happy (Mike Smith) 15-1
- The Puma (Javier Castellano) 10-1
- Wonder Dean (Ryusei Sakai) 30-1
- Incredibolt (Jaime Torres) 20-1
- Chief Wallabee (Junior Alvarado) 8-1
- Silent Tactic (Cristian Torres) RIDDEN
- Potente (Juan Hernandez) 20-1
- Emerging Market (Flavien Prat) 15-1
- Pavlovian (Edwin Maldonado) 30-1
- Six Speed (Brian Hernandez Jr.) 50-1
- Further Ado (John Velasquez) 6-1
- Golden Pace (Jose Ortiz) 30-1
- Full Effort (Tyler Gaffalione) 20-1
- Great White (Alex Achard) 50-1
- Ocelli (Joe Ramos) 50-1
- Robusta (Cristian Torres) 50-1
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Kentucky Derby contender The Puma trains at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky on May 1, 2026. (Charlie Riedel/AP Photo)
Who are the favourites?
Renegade, trained by Todd A. Pletcher, is the current 4-1 favorite. Commandment, trained by Brad H. Cox, and Further Ado, also trained by Cox, are both 6-1.
Chief Wallabee, who is coached by William I. Mott, is 8-1. The Puma, trained by Gustavo Delgado, stands at 10-1.
What everyone is talking about ahead of the Derby
Weather is not expected to be a factor. It will be slightly cooler than normal in the morning and there is a chance of rain in the afternoon, but it should be clear for the race. It is expected to be 58 degrees when the race starts, which is cooler than the average Kentucky Derby temperature of 74 degrees, according to Kentucky.com.
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A horse walks to the track for training 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 being sidelined for four years. He was handed a suspension after his record seventh win at the 2021 race was later stripped due to a failed drug test.
Cherie DeVaux, the trainer of Golden Tempo, is looking to make history, becoming the first female trainer to win the Kentucky Derby. Vicki was the last female trainer to have a horse in the Derby when Hidden Stash finished 13th in 2021. Shelley Riley has the best finish for a female trainer when Casual Lies was second in 1992.
Smith, the jockey of So Happy, is 59 years old and is seeking to become the oldest jockey to ever win the Kentucky Derby. Willie Shoemaker currently holds the record for the oldest jockey to win, being 54 when Ferdinand won in 1986. Shoemaker died aged 72 in 2003.
Trainer Cherie DeVaux stands outside a barn after a workout at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky on April 27, 2026. (Charlie Riedel/AP Photo)
How do you see?
- Where: Churchill Downs, Louisville, Kentucky
- When: May 2, 2026
- Expected post time: 6:57 PM ET
- Television: NBC
- Purse: $5 million
