kentucky-derby-horse-racing
Imagn Images

Major 2026 Kentucky Derby qualifying races like the Arkansas Derby, the Florida Derby and Louisiana Derby are around the corner, setting the stage for the 2026 Kentucky Derby, which runs at Churchill Downs on Saturday, May 2. The Kentucky Derby 2026 will mark the 152nd edition of the Run For the Roses, and the 2026 Kentucky Derby field is shaping up to be impressive.

Paladin swept his first three career races, and he’s the early favorite in the 2026 Kentucky Derby odds at 9-1. The other early top Kentucky Derby contender is Nearly at 10-1 after winning the Holy Bull Stakes in January. Before making any 2026 Kentucky Derby picks, be sure to see the horse racing predictions and futures bets from SportsLine’s elite horse racing expert Jody Demling.

Bet the Kentucky Derby with the newest TwinSpires promo code CBSSPORTS to receive up to $400 in bonus bets to wager on almost any track:

A fixture in the horse racing world who has been writing about, talking about and betting on races for years, Demling has nailed the Kentucky Oaks-Derby double 12 times in the last 17 years. He also predicted the top three 2025 Kentucky Derby finishers in the correct order and called the exacta in last year’s Preakness. Anyone who has followed him on horse racing betting sites could be way up. 

Now, with the 2026 Kentucky Derby approaching and horse racing futures odds on the board, Demling is sharing his 2026 Kentucky Derby betting picks and 2026 Kentucky Derby predictions over at SportsLine. Go here to see them.

Top 2026 Kentucky Derby predictions

One of Demling’s surprising 2026 Kentucky Derby picks: He doesn’t have the favorite, Paladin (9-1), winning. The horse is 3-for-3 in his career, including a pair of G2 victories, but his trainer is 0-for-9 in his Kentucky Derby career. Chad Brown has hit the board just three times with his nine Derby starters, while he’s had three starters finish 9th or worse, which doesn’t include a fourth that did not finish the race.

Paladin won the Risen Star Stakes in mid-February, just as his sire, Gun Runner, did in 2016. However, the latter came up short at The Run for the Roses, finishing third. Gun Runner failed to win each of his first four G1 races, while Paladin’s grandsire, Tapit, placed ninth in his Derby attempt. With an unproven trainer at this race and not the strongest pedigree, the favorite is one to fade at Churchill Downs. See who to back at SportsLine.

Another stunner: Demling is high on Canaletto, even though he’s a longshot at 15-1. With just one race to his credit, Canaletto is somewhat of an unknown. What he showed, however, was impressive after he dominated at Gulfstream Park on January 25, posting a 1:36.28 time in his 1-mile maiden special weight race, finishing well ahead of Lost Money and Autobahn.

Demling says Canaletto has the “looks of a superstar in the making” and also loves his bloodline. He is a half-brother to Sandman and the son of Into Mischief, who won three of his six career starts. See which other horses to back at SportsLine, and you can make Kentucky Derby futures bets TwinSpires here:

How to make 2026 Kentucky Derby picks, bets

Demling is especially high on a massive double-digit longshot who could be the best of a “barnful of standouts.” Demling is sharing which horse it is, along with his entire projected 2026 Kentucky Derby leaderboard, over at SportsLine.

Which horse wins the Kentucky Derby 2026, and which huge double-digit longshot is a must-back? Check out the newest 2026 Kentucky Derby odds below, then visit SportsLine to see Demling’s picks for the Kentucky Derby, all from the expert who has nailed 12 Derby-Oaks doubles.

2026 Kentucky Derby odds

Horse  Odds Picks
Paladin 9-1 SEE PICKS
Nearly 10-1 SEE PICKS
Canaletto 15-1 SEE PICKS
Renegade 16-1 SEE PICKS
Silent Tactic 19-1 SEE PICKS
Chief Wallabee 21-1 SEE PICKS
Commandment 23-1 SEE PICKS
Further Ado 24-1 SEE PICKS
Brant 26-1 SEE PICKS
Plutarch 27-1 SEE PICKS
Napolean Solo 30-1 SEE PICKS
Golden Tempo 32-1 SEE PICKS
Blackout Time 32-1 SEE PICKS
Boyd 34-1 SEE PICKS
Litmus Test 38-1 SEE PICKS
Potente 44-1 SEE PICKS
Bravero 60-1 SEE PICKS
Six Speed 73-1 SEE PICKS
Class President 75-1 SEE PICKS
Al Haram N/A SEE PICKS