The Kentucky Derby is the most-watched, most-wagered horse race in the United States — and US Racing is your authoritative destination for 2026 Kentucky Derby odds, contender analysis, and expert picks. Whether you're placing a futures bet months out or looking for live race-day odds, this guide covers everything you need to bet smarter on the Run for the Roses.
The 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby takes place on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at the legendary Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Post time is approximately 6:57 PM ET. The total purse stands at $5 million — the richest in Derby history — with $3.1 million awarded to the winner. The race is contested at 1¼ miles (10 furlongs) over dirt by three-year-old Thoroughbreds, with a maximum field of 20 starters determined by the Road to the Kentucky Derby points system.
BUSR offers fixed-odds wagering on the Kentucky Derby — one of the few platforms where you can lock in your price before post time. That means no tote fluctuations: the odds you bet are the odds you get paid. Below, you'll find live odds, in-depth contender breakdowns, prep race analysis, and expert insight to help you find value in the 2026 Derby field.
| Race | 152nd Kentucky Derby — The Run for the Roses |
|---|---|
| Date | Saturday, May 2, 2026 |
| Post Time | Approximately 6:57 PM ET |
| Location | Churchill Downs, Louisville, Kentucky |
| Distance | 1¼ Miles (10 Furlongs) — Dirt |
| Purse | $5,000,000 ($3.1M to the winner) |
| Field | Up to 20 Three-Year-Old Thoroughbreds |
| Fixed Odds | Available Now at BUSR — Bet Today's Price |
The Road to the Kentucky Derby awards points to the top five finishers in each qualifying prep race. The top 17 point-earners earn a starting spot in the 152nd Kentucky Derby on May 2, 2026 — plus up to two invitations from the Euro/Mideast series and one from the Japan series. Knowing who leads the leaderboard tells you which horses are virtually guaranteed a starting spot and which are fighting for their lives in the final preps. Leaderboard updated through March 23, 2026.
| # | Horse | Trainer | PTS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Commandment | Brad H. Cox | 150 | |
| 2 | Renegade | Todd A. Pletcher | 125 | |
| 3 | Fulleffort | Brad H. Cox | 110 | |
| 4 | The Puma | Gustavo Delgado | 106 | |
| 5 | Silent Tactic | Mark E. Casse | 100 | |
| 6 | Emerging Market | Chad C. Brown | 100 | |
| 7 | Pavlovian | Doug F. O'Neill | 70 | |
| 8 | Incredibolt | Riley Mott | 60 | |
| 9 | Golden Tempo | Cherie DeVaux | 60 | |
| 10 | Class President | Todd A. Pletcher | 50 | |
| 11 | Stark Contrast | Michael W. McCarthy | 50 | |
| 12 | Chief Wallabee | William I. Mott | 50 | |
| 13 | Iron Honor | Chad C. Brown | 50 | |
| 14 | Potente | Bob Baffert | 50 | |
| 15 | Chip Honcho | Steven M. Asmussen | 49 | |
| 16 | Universe | Kenneth G. McPeek | 38 | |
| 17 | Grittiness | Todd A. Pletcher | 36 | |
| 18 | Further Ado | Brad H. Cox | 35 | |
| 19 | Nearly | Todd A. Pletcher | 35 | |
| 20 | Litmus Test | Bob Baffert | 34 |
Last Updated on 03/30/2026
| HORSE | TRAINER | ODDS (03/17) | TEND | STATUS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paladin | Chad Brown | 13/2 | ▲ Shortening | Favorite |
| Commandment | Brad Cox | 9/1 | ▲ Shortening | Top Contender |
| Nearly | Todd Pletcher | 8/1 | ▲ Shortening | Top Contender |
| Chief Wallabee | Bill Mott | 8/1 | ▼ Drifting | Top Contender |
| Renegade | Todd Pletcher | 12/1 | → Stable | Top Contender |
| Canaletto | Chad Brown | 15/1 | ▲ Shortening | Value Play |
| Potente | Bob Baffert | 15/1 | ▲ Shortening | Emerging |
| Iron Honor | Chad Brown | 20/1 | ▲ Shortening | Watch |
| The Puma | Gustavo Delgado | 20/1 | ▲ Shortening | Value Play |
| Cherokee Nation | Bob Baffert | 30/1 | → Stable | Longshot |
| Litmus Test | Bob Baffert | 40/1 | → Stable | Longshot |
| Danon Bourbon | Hiroyasu Tanaka | 40/1 | ▲ Shortening | Longshot |
| Al Haram | Abdullah Alsidrani | 40/1 | → Stable | Longshot |
| Silent Tactic | Mark E. Casse | 12/1 | → Stable | Top Contender |
| Boyd | Bob Baffert | 16/1 | → Stable | Contender |
| Class President | Todd A. Pletcher | 16/1 | → Stable | Contender |
| Blackout Time | Kenneth G. McPeek | 16/1 | → Stable | Contender |
| Further Ado | Brad H. Cox | 20/1 | → Stable | Contender |
| Napoleon Solo | Chad Summers | 30/1 | → Stable | Longshot |
| Chip Honcho | Todd Pletcher | 33/1 | → Stable | Longshot |
| Intrepido | Jeff Mullins | 33/1 | → Stable | Longshot |
| Golden Tempo | Cherie DeVaux | 33/1 | → Stable | Longshot |
| Buteane | Bob Baffert | 40/1 | → Stable | Longshot |
| Pyromancer | K Yoshimura | 40/1 | → Stable | Longshot |
| Cannoneer | Brad H. Cox | 40/1 | → Stable | Longshot |
| Talk To Me Jimmy | Rudy R. Rodriguez | 40/1 | → Stable | Longshot |
| Pavlovian | Doug F. O'Neill | 40/1 | → Stable | Longshot |
| Englishman | Cherie DeVaux | 40/1 | → Stable | Longshot |
| So Happy | Mark Glatt | 40/1 | → Stable | Longshot |
| Six Speed | Bhupat Seemar | 40/1 | → Stable | Longshot |
| Brant | Bob Baffert | 40/1 | → Stable | Longshot |
| Blacksmith | Bob Baffert | 50/1 | → Stable | Longshot |
| Satono Voyage | Hiroyasu Tanaka | 50/1 | → Stable | Longshot |
| Spartacus | TBD | 60/1 | → Stable | Longshot |
| Ewing | Mark E. Casse | 66/1 | → Stable | Longshot |
| Courting | Todd A. Pletcher | 66/1 | → Stable | Longshot |
| Liberty National | TBD | 66/1 | → Stable | Longshot |
| Jackson Hole | TBD | 66/1 | → Stable | Longshot |
| Best Green | Junji Tanaka | 66/1 | → Stable | Longshot |
| Brotherly Love | Jamie Osborne | 66/1 | → Stable | Longshot |
| My World | TBD | 66/1 | → Stable | Longshot |
| Desert Gate | Bob Baffert | 66/1 | → Stable | Longshot |
| Strategic Risk | Mark E. Casse | 66/1 | → Stable | Longshot |
| D'code | TBD | 66/1 | → Stable | Longshot |
| Saloom | TBD | 66/1 | → Stable | Longshot |
| Incredibolt | Riley Mott | 66/1 | ▲ Shortening | Longshot |
| Universe | Kenneth G. McPeek | 100/1 | → Stable | Longshot |
| Talkin | Danny Gargan | 100/1 | → Stable | Longshot |
| Balboa | Brittany T. Russell | 150/1 | → Stable | Longshot |
| Grittiness | Todd Pletcher | 33/1 | → Stable | Longshot |
| Robusta | Doug F. O'Neill | 33/1 | → Stable | Longshot |
| Express Kid | Justin Evans | 33/1 | → Stable | Longshot |
| Great White | John Ennis | 40/1 | → Stable | Longshot |
| Bravaro | Saffie Joseph Jr. | 40/1 | → Stable | Longshot |
| Soldier N Diplomat | Steve Asmussen | 40/1 | → Stable | Longshot |
| Buetane | Bob Baffert | 40/1 | → Stable | Longshot |
| Secured Freedom | Tim Yakteen | 40/1 | → Stable | Longshot |
| Confessional | Brad Cox | 40/1 | → Stable | Longshot |
| Carson Street | Brendan Walsh | 50/1 | → Stable | Longshot |
| Fulleffort | Brad Cox | 50/1 | → Stable | Longshot |
| Redland Rebels | Patrick Biancone | 50/1 | → Stable | Longshot |
| Baytown Dreamer | Paul McEntee | 66/1 | → Stable | Longshot |
| Maximus Prime | Anthony Mitchell | 66/1 | → Stable | Longshot |
| Bricklin | Rodolphe Brisset | 66/1 | → Stable | Longshot |
| Ottinho | Chad Brown | 66/1 | → Stable | Longshot |
| Rancho Santa Fe | Brad Cox | 66/1 | → Stable | Longshot |
| Lockstocknpharoah | Tommy Drury Jr. | 66/1 | → Stable | Longshot |
| Quality Mischief | Brad Cox | 66/1 | → Stable | Longshot |
| Civil Liberty | Doug F. O'Neill | 100/1 | → Stable | Longshot |
| Sleepingonfreedom | Kenny McPeek | 100/1 | → Stable | Longshot |
| Epic Desire | Todd Pletcher | 100/1 | → Stable | Longshot |
| Steel Imperium | Caio Caramori | 100/1 | → Stable | Longshot |
| Puerto Rico | Aidan O'Brien | 33/1 | → Stable | Longshot |
| Lino Padrino | Bhupat Seemar | 40/1 | → Stable | Longshot |
| Lucky Kid | Yukihiro Kato | 33/1 | → Stable | Longshot |
| Itterasshai | Makoto Saito | 50/1 | → Stable | Longshot |
Kentucky Derby betting odds begin to take shape as early as the summer prior, when two-year-old stakes races like the Breeders' Cup Juvenile start to reveal class. By January, winter-book odds are posted at major online racebooks. The biggest movement happens in four critical windows:
Churchill Downs also runs six installments of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager (KDFW), a pari-mutuel pool where you can bet on individual horses or the "All Other" entry. Pool 5 opened March 13 with Paladin at 5-1. BUSR's fixed-odds format means your return is guaranteed at the time you place your bet — a critical advantage in a volatile market.
| Horse | Paladin | Odds | 13/2 |
| Trainer | Chad Brown | Jockey | TBD (Blue Grass) |
| Last Prep | Risen Star Stakes (G2) — 1st by ½ length (Feb 14) — career record 3-for-3 | ||
| Analysis | Talented and unbeaten, but Chad Brown's 0-for-9 Derby record is the single biggest red flag in the market at 5-1. Pedigree (Gun Runner) suits 10 furlongs but sire failed in his Derby. Betting angle: Use in exotics but avoid as a primary Win bet. If he shortens below 4-1 after the Blue Grass, pass on win entirely. | ||
| Horse | Commandment | Odds | 9/1 |
| Trainer | Brad Cox | Jockey | Irad Ortiz Jr. |
| Last Prep | Fountain of Youth (G2) — 1st by a neck (Feb 28); Mucho Macho Man — 1st by 6¾ lengths (Jan) | ||
| Analysis | Brad Cox — who officially joined the Derby winner's circle with Mandaloun — has identified Commandment as his top-tier 2026 prospect. (Note: Eric Reed trained the 80-1 upsetter Rich Strike in 2022). Commandment proved he could handle two turns in the Fountain of Youth, showing immense grit to hold off Chief Wallabee. Currently sitting with 50 points on the leaderboard, he is safely in the field. This son of Into Mischief is built for classic distances and looks to punch his ticket as a top-three favorite in the Florida Derby (March 28). | ||
| Horse | Nearly | Odds | 8/1 |
| Trainer | Todd Pletcher | Jockey | John Velazquez |
| Last Prep | Holy Bull Stakes (G3) — 1st by 5¾ lengths (Jan 31); 98 Beyer | ||
| Analysis | While Bill Mott holds the cards with Chief Wallabee, Nearly is the designated powerhouse for the Todd Pletcher barn this spring. After a dominant performance in the Holy Bull, where he earned a field-high 98 Beyer, Nearly has been training sharply at Palm Beach Downs. As a son of Not This Time, he possesses the ideal blend of tactical speed and late-running stamina. Pletcher has opted for a fresh approach, skipping the Fountain of Youth to bring him into the Florida Derby (March 28) on a full tank. Expect him to sit just off the pace before making a decisive move around the far turn. | ||
| Horse | Chief Wallabee | Odds | 2-1 (ML) |
| Trainer | Bill Mott | Jockey | Junior Alvarado |
| Last Prep | Fountain of Youth (G2) — 2nd by a neck (Feb 28); 100 Beyer — second-highest of the 2026 season. | ||
| Analysis | Chief Wallabee validated his "TDN Rising Star" status with a massive 100 Beyer in the Fountain of Youth, falling just a neck short of Commandment (101 Beyer) despite a wide trip. While often grouped with front-runners, he showed in his last out that he can sit comfortably off a hot pace and loom dangerously on the far turn. Betting angle: As the 2-1 morning-line favorite for the Florida Derby (March 28), he holds a tactical advantage from Post 2. With Commandment switching jockeys to Flavien Prat, the established chemistry between Mott and Alvarado makes Chief Wallabee the most reliable "Win" candidate in a loaded field. | ||
| Horse | Renegade | Odds | 3-2 (ML) |
| Trainer | Todd Pletcher | Jockey | Irad Ortiz Jr. |
| Last Prep | Sam F. Davis Stakes (G3) — 1st by 3¾ lengths (Feb 7); 93 Beyer | ||
| Analysis | With two Kentucky Derby trophies on his mantle, Todd Pletcher enters the Arkansas Derby (March 28) with a formidable favorite in Renegade. After skipping the Rebel Stakes, this Into Mischief colt has been "training lights out" and will start from Post 6 as the clear 3-2 morning-line choice. Betting angle: Renegade’s dominance in the Sam F. Davis suggested he has gears yet to be tested. While he’ll face a late challenge from the Baffert-trained Litmus Test, Renegade's tactical versatility makes him the horse to beat. A victory here would likely cement him as the overall Kentucky Derby favorite heading into April. | ||
| Horse | The Puma | Odds | 9-2 (ML) |
| Trainer | Gustavo Delgado Sr. | Jockey | Javier Castellano |
| Last Prep | Tampa Bay Derby (G3) — 1st by ¾ length (Mar 7); 89 Beyer Speed Figure. | ||
| Analysis | The parallels to 2023 Derby winner Mage are undeniable. Trained by Gustavo Delgado and ridden by Javier Castellano, The Puma entered the Tampa Bay Derby as a maiden and exited with 50 qualifying points. While his 89 Beyer is lower than the figures posted by Chief Wallabee or Commandment, his "last-to-first" closing kick suggests he has yet to find his ceiling. Betting angle: Now set for the Florida Derby (March 28), The Puma has been overlooked in early pools but has seen his morning-line odds sharpen to 9-2. Starting from Post 4, he sits in a prime spot to stalk a projected hot pace. If you’re playing a $0.10 Superfecta, he remains a mandatory inclusion for value. | ||
| Horse | Potente | Odds | 15/1 |
| Trainer | Bob Baffert | Jockey | Juan Hernandez |
| Last Prep | San Felipe Stakes (G2) — 1st by a head (Mar 8); 94 Beyer — $2.4M yearling purchase. | ||
| Analysis | Potente looks every bit the $2.4 million superstar his price tag suggests. Winning the San Felipe in just his second start mirrors the early brilliance of Baffert’s previous Triple Crown winners. While he currently sits with 0 official Derby points due to the Churchill Downs/Baffert restrictions, his raw talent is top-five in this class. Betting angle: He heads to the Santa Anita Derby (April 4) as the horse to beat. If he dominates there, expect a late-hour trainer transfer or legal maneuver to get him into the starting gate on the first Saturday in May. At 15-1, you are betting on his talent and the likelihood that he'll actually be allowed to run. | ||
The morning line is a handicapper's estimate of how the betting public will wager on race day — it is not a probability of winning. Churchill Downs' official morning line odds for the 2026 Kentucky Derby will be released following the post position draw in late April. The morning line is set by the track's official odds-maker and serves as the opening benchmark for the pari-mutuel pools.
Traditional Kentucky Derby wagering operates through a pari-mutuel pool. The track takes a fixed percentage (the 'takeout,' typically 17–20%), and the remaining pool is divided among winning ticket holders. Because the final payout depends on how much money is bet on each horse, odds fluctuate continuously from the moment betting opens until the gates close. A horse that receives heavy late action can shift from 10-1 to 4-1 within minutes.
Fixed-odds betting — offered at BUSR — guarantees your return at the price shown when you place your bet. If Paladin is 5-1 when you bet and drifts to 3-1 by post time, you still collect 5-1. This is a significant advantage for bettors who want to lock in value on a contender early in the prep season before odds compress after a decisive prep race win.
Futures betting on the Kentucky Derby is available year-round at BUSR racebook and through Churchill Downs' official Kentucky Derby Future Wager pools. Six KDFW pools are typically offered between November and April. The KDFW includes an 'All Other 3-Year-Olds' entry — a catch-all for horses not yet prominent enough to be individually listed — which historically produces strong overlays.
The Road to the Kentucky Derby qualifying system awards points to the top five finishers in designated prep races from September through mid-April. The 20 horses with the most points — plus international qualifiers — earn a starting spot. Knowing which preps carry the most points and which have the strongest predictive track record for the Derby is essential to identifying value in the futures market.
| Race | Track | Date | Points | Key Contenders / Results |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fountain of Youth (G2) | Gulfstream Park | Feb 28 | 50 pts | Commandment (1st, 101 Beyer); Chief Wallabee (2nd) |
| Louisiana Derby (G2) | Fair Grounds | Mar 21 | 100 pts | Emerging Market (1st, 97 Beyer); Pavlovian (2nd) |
| Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) | Turfway Park | Mar 21 | 100 pts | Fulleffort (1st, 95 Beyer); Stark Contrast (2nd) |
| Florida Derby (G1) | Gulfstream Park | Mar 28 | 100 pts | Chief Wallabee, Nearly, The Puma targets |
| Arkansas Derby (G1) | Oaklawn Park | Mar 28 | 100 pts | Renegade, Class President targets |
| Santa Anita Derby (G1) | Santa Anita | Apr 4 | 100 pts | Potente, Litmus Test targets |
| Blue Grass Stakes (G1) | Keeneland | Apr 4 | 100 pts | Paladin — final prep target |
Run at 1 1/16 miles, the Fountain of Youth awards 50 points (Championship Series structure) to the winner and is Florida's most important early Kentucky Derby prep race. In 2026, Commandment surged to the top of the leaderboard with a neck-victory, posting a 101 Beyer — the fastest speed figure of any 2026 prep to date. Chief Wallabee finished a game second with a 100 Beyer, setting the stage for a high-stakes rematch in the Grade 1 Florida Derby on March 28.
| → Read more: Fountain of Youth Stakes 2026 — Results, Recap, and Kentucky Derby Implications |
The Gotham, contested at one mile at Aqueduct on March 1, is New York's primary early Derby qualifying race. Iron Honor (Chad Brown) won the 2026 running, moving from 122-1 to 25-1 in the futures market overnight. Brown trains both Iron Honor and Paladin, giving his barn two legitimate Derby paths from different prep routes. The Gotham winner has historically faced a step up in competition at the Wood Memorial or the Blue Grass.
| → Read more: Gotham Stakes 2026 — Results and Kentucky Derby Qualifying Impact |
The most prestigious West Coast Derby prep, awarding 100 points to the winner at 1 1/8 miles. Bob Baffert typically uses this race to finalize his Churchill Downs squad. Potente is the 2026 target — a win here at 15-1 current odds would almost certainly install him as a top-5 market choice and move him to 8-1 or shorter. Baffert horses from the Santa Anita Derby have produced multiple Kentucky Derby winners.
| → Read more: Santa Anita Derby 2026 — Odds, Contenders and Churchill Downs Roadmap |
Run at 1 1/8 miles at Keeneland — a track whose surface characteristics most closely mirror Churchill Downs — the Blue Grass is considered the most 'local' and telling of all major Derby preps. Paladin is targeting the Blue Grass as his final start before Churchill Downs. A dominant win would likely make him odds-on or close to it; a loss would trigger a major market reshuffling. The single most important 2026 Derby betting event is still on the calendar.
| → Read more: Blue Grass Stakes 2026 — Paladin, Odds and Kentucky Derby Implications |
US Racing's horse racing analysts have broken down the 2026 field with one goal: finding the best bets at the right price. Here's our current expert assessment of the market as of mid-March 2026, with approximately seven weeks until the first Saturday in May.
| EXPERT VALUE PLAYS — 2026 KENTUCKY DERBY |
|---|
| Paladin (5-1) — The morning-line favorite is a legitimately talented colt with a perfect 3-for-3 record. However, Chad Brown's 0-for-9 Derby record and the fact that Paladin's sire (Gun Runner) failed to win his Derby make this an underlay. Bet to win only if Blue Grass convinces. |
| Canaletto (15-1) — VALUE PLAY. Pedigree screams classic distance — his brother Sandman won the Arkansas Derby, his sire was a G1 winner. Posted a 109 speed figure in the Tampa Bay Derby despite finishing third. Likely being underestimated by the public. The Florida Derby will clarify his ceiling. |
| Renegade (10-1) — SOLID PLAY. Todd Pletcher's best Derby horse in years. Won the Sam F. Davis convincingly, and the trainer has two Derby wins. Arkansas Derby on March 28 is a key step — a win there likely moves him to 6-1 or shorter. Current 10-1 represents fair value. |
| The Puma (25-1) — LONGSHOT PLAY. Same connections as 2023 Derby winner Mage. Won Tampa Bay Derby as a maiden in only his third start. Speed figures need to improve, but Delgado/Restrepo/Castellano have proven they can peak a horse on Derby day. $25 on $500 staked = attractive risk/reward. |
| Potente (15-1) — SPECULATIVE VALUE. Won the San Felipe in only his second career start. Baffert-trained horses from the San Felipe have a strong Derby record. Raw ability appears high. High risk given limited race experience, but 15-1 is a fair current price for a Baffert-trained Santa Anita Derby candidate. |
Jockey assignments for the 2026 Derby field will solidify after the final prep races in April. Currently, Juan Hernandez (Potente) and Jose Castellano (The Puma) are confirmed. Irad Ortiz Jr. and Flavien Prat are expected to be on the market for top connections. Historically, jockeys who have ridden a horse in prior preps have a significant advantage at Churchill Downs' long stretch — watch for late switches as a market signal.
Q: Who is the favorite for the 2026 Kentucky Derby?
A: As of mid-March 2026, Paladin (Chad Brown) is the 5-1 favorite in Churchill Downs' Future Wager Pool 5. Commandment (6-1) and Nearly/Chief Wallabee (both 8-1) are the next closest challengers. The market remains wide open with seven weeks until the race and several 100-point qualifying preps still to run.
Q: How do Kentucky Derby odds work?
A: Traditional Derby wagering is pari-mutuel: all bets on a race go into a communal pool, the track takes its cut (typically 17-20%), and the remainder is divided among winning tickets. Odds represent the ratio of money bet against a horse relative to the total pool. BUSR offers fixed odds, where your payout is locked in at the time you place your bet, regardless of subsequent market movement.
Q: When are Kentucky Derby odds updated?
A: Live futures odds at BUSR racebook are updated continuously throughout the prep season — and dramatically following major qualifying races. The most significant updates come on the Sunday after each major prep race (typically Saturday). Churchill Downs' official Kentucky Derby Future Wager pools close Sunday evening, with final odds posted the following week.
Q: What is the Kentucky Derby Future Wager?
A: The Kentucky Derby Future Wager (KDFW) is an official pari-mutuel wagering opportunity offered by Churchill Downs across six pools from November through April. Bettors can wager on individual horses or the 'All Other 3-Year-Olds' catchall. Pool 5 opened March 13, 2026, with Paladin at 5-1. Fixed-odds alternatives are available at BUSR.
Q: What is the Kentucky Derby purse in 2026?
A: The 2026 Kentucky Derby purse is $5 million — matching the record set in 2024 and retained in 2025. The winner receives $3.1 million, second place earns $1 million, third place earns $500,000, fourth place earns $250,000, and fifth place earns $150,000. The Kentucky Derby has the highest purse of any Triple Crown race.
Q: Can I bet on the Kentucky Derby with fixed odds?
A: Yes. BUSR offers fixed-odds betting on the Kentucky Derby, meaning the price you see when you place your bet is the price you get paid — regardless of how the tote market moves on race day. This is particularly valuable for bettors who identify value early in the prep season before a horse's odds shorten after a big win.
Q: How many horses run in the Kentucky Derby?
A: The Kentucky Derby field is capped at 20 horses. Horses earn starting spots by accumulating points through the Road to the Kentucky Derby prep race series, which runs from September through mid-April. The 20 horses with the most points earn their spots. In 2026, international qualifiers from Japan and Europe-Middle East can also earn single spots via their regional series.
Q: What prep races are most important for predicting the Kentucky Derby winner?
A: The most predictive prep races are the 100-point qualifiers run in late March and early April: the Florida Derby, Arkansas Derby, Santa Anita Derby, and Blue Grass Stakes. Winners of these races have historically produced a disproportionate number of Derby winners, finalists, and exacta/trifecta participants.
BUSR offers the most Kentucky Derby wagers of any horse betting site — including fixed odds, futures, exotics, and live race-day pools. Lock in today's prices before the final preps reshape the market
When is the Kentucky Derby?
The Kentucky Derby is on Saturday, May 2nd, 2026
Where can I bet on the Kentucky Derby?
At BUSR: Odds are Live!
What channel is the Kentucky Derby on?
Watch the Kentucky Derby live on TV with NBC at 5:00 pm EST
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