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152nd Running

Kentucky Derby 2026

Saturday, May 3, 2026Churchill Downs, Louisville KY$3M purse
Race Time
27 days away
Post time: 6:57 PM ET · Run for the Roses

The 152nd Kentucky Derby runs May 3 at Churchill Downs. Twenty three-year-old thoroughbreds. A mile and a quarter. Two minutes of chaos.

Our AI models analyze every contender using speed figures, trainer stats, jockey records, pedigree, and running style. Full picks drop the morning of the race. Until then, we're tracking the field, breaking down the prep race winners, and finding the angles sharps love.

Early Field & Odds

#HorseOdds
1
Journalism
Michael McCarthy · Umberto Rispoli
Santa Anita Derby winner. Strong closer.
+400
2
Sovereignty
Bill Mott · Junior Alvarado
Florida Derby winner. Tactical speed.
+500
3
Burnham Square
Ian Wilkes · Brian Hernandez Jr.
Blue Grass Stakes winner. Stamina pedigree.
+900
4
Luxor Cafe
Yoshito Yahagi · Joao Moreira
Japanese-trained contender. Strong final works.
+1200
5
Sandman
Mark Casse · Jose Ortiz
Arkansas Derby winner. Grinding style.
+1500
6
Rodriguez
Bob Baffert · Mike Smith
Baffert runner. Wood Memorial runner-up.
+1800
7
Final Gambit
Brad Cox · Luis Saez
Louisiana Derby winner. Battle-tested.
+2000
8
Tappan Street
Todd Pletcher · Irad Ortiz Jr.
Fountain of Youth winner. Improving.
+2500
9
Render Judgment
Ken McPeek · Tyler Gaffalione
McPeek won Derby 2024. Stretch runner.
+3000
10
Publisher
Steve Asmussen · Joel Rosario
Asmussen barn. Consistent form.
+3500
Field updates weekly. Post positions drawn Tuesday of Derby week.

Derby Analysis

All posts
Kentucky Derby Trifecta Strategy — The Math Behind the Best Bets
The Kentucky Derby trifecta is the bet sharps love. 20 horses. 6,840 possible combinations. Massive payouts when you hit. Here's how to build a ticket that give
How the Kentucky Derby Works — A Bettor's Primer
Twenty three-year-olds. A mile and a quarter. Two minutes of chaos. One of the hardest bets in all of sports. Here's what you need to know before you touch a ti
Kentucky Derby 2026 — The Early Contenders to Watch
Four weeks until the Run for the Roses. The prep season is mostly done. We know who won what. Now the field starts to take shape. Here are the horses that matte

How to Bet the Derby

Win / Place / Show

Your horse finishes 1st (Win), 1st or 2nd (Place), or top 3 (Show). The safest bets, lowest payouts.

Exacta

Pick the top 2 finishers in exact order. Box it to cover both orderings.

Trifecta

Pick 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in exact order. Massive payouts, rare hits.

Superfecta

Top 4 in exact order. Life-changing payouts when they hit. 10-cent minimums make this accessible.

Recent Winners

2025Sovereignty+6501½ lengths
2024Mystik Dan+1800Nose
2023Mage+15001 length
2022Rich Strike+8000¾ length
2021Medina Spirit+1200½ length
2020Authentic+8201¼ lengths

AI-Powered Derby Picks Drop May 3

Our full Derby picks publish the morning of the race. Win, exacta, and trifecta plays based on speed figures, trainer stats, and pedigree analysis.

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