The first leg of horse racing Triple Crown takes place on Saturday afternoon with the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby. One of the great American sports traditions is back as the mint juleps will be flowing all day long at Churchill Downs, just outside of Louisville, Kentucky.
This year’s race features a deep and wide-open field of 20 horses. The field is so deep, in fact, that there is a question over what horse will leave the starting gate as the favorite. Arkansas Derby winner Renegade, who is conditioned by two-time Kentucky Derby-winning trainer Todd Pletcher, is the lukewarm 4-1 morning-line favorite. But Renegade, who drew the No. 1 post position, will be trying to overcome 40 years of Derby history; no horse from the No. 1 post has won the race since Ferdinand did so in 1986.
There have been four so far ahead of the race, leaving 19 horses to compete on Saturday night. Right to Party was set to come out of the 5 gate on Saturday and was listed at 30-1 in the early odds. The Puma was scratched on Saturday morning and had the lowest odds of the horses that have been withdrawn at 10-1. Silent Tactic (20-1) and Fulleffort (20-1) were also scratched. In their place, three horses were added as alternates and all three are currently listed at 50-1 (Great White, Ocelli and Robusta).
The weather this year looks spectacular for race day with no true threat of rain. The track conditions are expected to be fast and dry, which lends itself to a pair of the favorites for Saturday’s big race.
Below is all the information you need to watch the 152nd Kentucky Derby.
Where to watch the 2026 Kentucky Derby
Date: Saturday, May 2
Post time: 6:57 p.m. ET
Location: Churchill Downs — Louisville, Kentucky
TV: NBC | Stream: Peacock (subscription required)
2026 Kentucky Derby odds, listed by post position
Odds via FanDuel Racing
1 Renegade (4-1)
2 Albus (30-1)
3 Intrepido (50-1)
4 Litmus Test (50-1)
5 Right to Party (30-1)
6 Commandment (6-1)
7 Danon Bourbon (20-1)
8 So Happy (15-1)
9 The Puma (10-1)
10 Wonder Dean (30-1)
11 Incredibolt (20-1)
12 Chief Wallabee (8-1)
13 Silent Tactic (20-1)
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 (20-1)
Also eligible:
21 Great White (50-1)
22 Ocelli (50-1)
23 Robusta (50-1)
24 Corona de Oro (50-1)
Where is the Kentucky Derby?
The Kentucky Derby takes place at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, every year on the first Saturday in May.
How long is the Kentucky Derby?
Since 1896, the race has been 1 1/4 miles.
Which horse wins the Kentucky Derby, and which huge double-digit longshot is a must-back? Visit SportsLine to see Jody Demling’s picks for the Kentucky Derby, all from the expert who has nailed the $1,682 superfecta in last year’s race.
