2026 Kentucky Derby predictions, horses, odds, race date: Surprising picks from top horse racing expert
Legendary coach Bob Baffert has received the Kentucky Derby six occasions and he is additionally been chargeable for the final two Triple Crown winners within the sport. Baffert could make historical past and break a tie with Ben Jones for many wins by a coach if both Potente (20-1) or Litmus Test (30-1) can win the 2026 Kentucky Derby on Saturday, May 2 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. The gates open at 6:57 pm ET and Renegade is the favourite within the newest Kentucky Derby 2026 betting odds at 4-1, with Further Ado (6-1) and Commandment (6-1) priced as shut contenders behind the Arkansas Derby winner. Bet the Kentucky Derby with the unique TwinSpires offer code CBSSPORTS to receive up to $400 in bonus bets, double what’s available to the general public:
Baffert’s horses is likely to be longshots however maybe his pedigree as a coach can unearth some further benefits within the 152nd operating of the Kentucky Derby on Saturday. There are loads of intriguing angles in relation to horse racing betting, particularly in a loaded area just like the Kentucky Derby. Before making any 2026 Kentucky Derby picks, you may need to see what racing reporter and analyst Michelle Yu has to say before making any 2026 Kentucky Derby bets.
In a wide-open Kentucky Derby in 2021, Yu gave out Medina Spirit, who crossed the end line first, because the winner at 12-1. In Pool 5 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager three years in the past, she prompt a play on All Other 3-Year-Olds, which cashed at a whopping 18-1 when Rich Strike received.
She began off 2025 by appropriately going all-in on Citizen Bull to win the Robert B. Lewis Stakes, and she or he additionally predicted Forever Young’s win within the Saudi Cup, Journalism’s win within the San Felipe Stakes, Sandman’s win within the Arkansas Derby and Mindframe’s win within the Churchill Downs Stakes. She additionally hit the exacta within the Kentucky Derby. In August she hit the Fierceness-Journalism Exacta within the Pacific Classic, and in March 2026 she nailed the Renegade-Silent Tactic-Taptastic trifecta within the Arkansas Derby. Anyone who has adopted her on these picks on betting websites like FanDuel Racing, TwinSpires and 1/ST BET may very well be up enormous.
Now, with the 2026 Kentucky Derby publish positions set and odds on the board, Yu is sharing her 2026 Kentucky Derby betting picks and 2026 Kentucky Derby predictions over at SportsLine. You can head to SportsLine now to see them.
Top 2026 Kentucky Derby predictions
One shock: Yu is fading Commandment, regardless of his standing as one of many favorites at 6-1. Commandment is coming off an enormous win within the Florida Derby, narrowly edging out one other top contender in The Puma (10-1). Despite the win, Commandment did decelerate close to the top, which may very well be an issue given the Kentucky Derby is 1 1/4 miles whereas the Florida Derby was 1 1/8 miles.
“I don’t like that his win margins have diminished as the races have gotten longer,” Yu instructed SportsLine. “He was very game in his Florida Derby score, though.” Something else to notice is that Commandment’s jockey, Luis Saez, could also be very skilled in his personal proper, however he by no means completed higher than third place within the Kentucky Derby in 12 earlier appearances. See which other 2026 Kentucky Derby horses to avoid at SportsLine.
Another curveball: Yu is excessive on The Puma at 10-1, who’s educated by Gustavo Delgado and being steered by jockey Javier Castellano. This duo will win the Kentucky Derby in 2023 with Mage and might be trying to repeat the feat with The Puma. Castellano is a flexible jockey and may have the ability to get the very best out of The Puma, particularly after he received two legs of the 2023 Triple Crown on two totally different horses with Mage on the Kentucky Derby and Arcangelo on the Belmont Stakes.
“His best races put him right in the mix, and these connections have won a Derby before,” Yu stated relating to The Puma. “He did everything but win the Florida Derby when Commandment nosed him out, but he has been super consistent.” See which other horses to back at SportsLineand you’ll sign up for FanDuel Racing for the Kentucky Derby here to get $25 in bonuses with a $5 wager:
How to make 2026 Kentucky Derby picks
Furthermore, Yu’s top choose is a horse who’s “screaming for more ground.” She’s additionally excessive on a longshot who has “connections that can get it done.” She is together with this horse in her 2026 Kentucky Derby bets, and so do you have to. She’s sharing which 2026 Kentucky Derby horses to back at SportsLine.
So who wins the 2026 Kentucky Derby? What longshot is a must-back, and the way has Yu constructed his wagers? Visit SportsLine to see Yu’s picks for the Kentucky Derby, all from the Santa Anita-based racing insider who has a long history of success in the Kentucky Derbyand discover out.
2026 Kentucky Derby odds, publish positions
