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Countdown to the Kentucky Derby
2026 Kentucky Derby countdown
2026 Kentucky Derby countdown

Bet on the Kentucky Derby

The 152nd Kentucky Derby runs on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Post time is approximately 6:57 PM ET. With a $5 million purse and $3.1 million going to the winner, it is the richest race in American horse racing and the most bet-on sporting event of the spring calendar. USRacing.com gives you live odds, the complete Derby card, full race streaming across over 350 racetracks, and the best welcome bonus in horse racing all in one place. This is your complete guide to betting the 2026 Run for the Roses.


2026 Kentucky Derby Fast Facts

  • Race: 152nd Kentucky Derby
  • Date: Saturday, May 2, 2026
  • Post Time: Approximately 6:57 PM ET
  • Track: Churchill Downs, Louisville, Kentucky
  • Distance: 1.25 miles on dirt
  • Field: Maximum 20 horses
  • Purse: $5,000,000 — $3,100,000 to the winner
  • Post Position Draw: Saturday, April 25, 2026
  • Broadcast: NBC and Peacock

Latest Kentucky Derby 2026 Odds

Here are the latest Kentucky Derby 2026 odds, updated in real time:

2026 Kentucky Derby Odds
Horse Odds Last Race Status
🥇 Renegade +350 (7/2) Arkansas Derby Winner FAVORITE
🥈 Commandment +550 (11/2) Florida Derby Winner CONTENDER
🥉 Further Ado +600 (6/1) Blue Grass Stakes Winner CONTENDER
The Puma +1200 (12/1) Tampa Bay Derby Winner CONTENDER
Chief Wallabee +1400 (14/1) Florida Derby (3rd) CONTENDER
Emerging Market +1400 (14/1) Louisiana Derby Winner CONTENDER
So Happy +1600 (16/1) Santa Anita Derby Winner WATCH
Danon Bourbon (JPN) +1600 (16/1) Fukuryu Stakes Winner LONGSHOT
Silent Tactic +2000 (20/1) Southwest Stakes Winner CONTENDER
Potente +2000 (20/1) Santa Anita Derby Runner-up WATCH
Nearly +2400 (24/1) Holy Bull Stakes Winner WATCH
Fulleffort +2500 (25/1) Jeff Ruby Steaks Winner VALUE PLAY
Incredibolt +2500 (25/1) Virginia Derby Winner WATCH
Iron Honor +3300 (33/1) Gotham Stakes Winner WATCH
Golden Tempo +3300 (33/1) Lecomte Stakes Winner LONGSHOT
Pavlovian +3300 (33/1) Sunland Park Derby Winner LONGSHOT
Wonder Dean (JPN) +3300 (33/1) UAE Derby Winner LONGSHOT
Albus +3300 (33/1) Wood Memorial Winner LONGSHOT
Intrepido +5000 (50/1) Santa Anita Derby (4th) LONGSHOT
Chip Honcho +5000 (50/1) Gun Runner Stakes Winner LONGSHOT
Six Speed (UAE) +5000 (50/1) UAE Derby (2nd) LONGSHOT
Right To Party +5000 (50/1) Wood Memorial (2nd) LONGSHOT
Litmus Test +6600 (66/1) Los Alamitos Futurity Winner LONGSHOT
Napoleon Solo +10000 (100/1) Wood Memorial (4th) LONGSHOT
Great White +10000 (100/1) John Battaglia Memorial Winner LONGSHOT

Last Updated on 04/17/2026


How to Bet on the Kentucky Derby 2026

Step 1: Choose a Trusted Online Racebook

Visit USRacing.com and sign up for an account. The platform gives you access to live Kentucky Derby odds, the full race card, streaming for every Derby Day race, and over 350 racetracks worldwide all in one place.

Step 2: Register and Verify Your Account

Creating an account takes just a few minutes. You will need to provide:

  • • Full legal name
  • • Residential address
  • • Date of birth
  • • Last four digits of your Social Security Number

You must be at least 21 years old. Verification is handled automatically during signup.

Step 3: Claim Your Welcome Bonus

New members at USRacing.com are eligible for a $1,000 Sign Up Cash Bonus plus a 10% horse betting rebate paid daily on selected wagers.Bet Now

Step 4: Fund Your Account

Accepted deposit methods include:

  • • Debit or credit cards
  • • Online bank transfers (ACH)
  • • Cryptocurrency
  • • Prepaid cards

Fund your account at least a day before Derby Day so your balance is ready when the odds go live Saturday morning.

Step 5: Analyze the Race Card and Kentucky Derby Odds

In the days leading up to May 2, the full Kentucky Derby field is announced. The race card typically includes:

  • • Horse names and post positions
  • • Jockeys and trainers
  • • Morning line Kentucky Derby odds
  • • Past performance data and speed figures

Studying this information helps you make informed bets. Odds fluctuate based on the wagered money, so early picks may change in value by post time.

Step 6: Pick Your Bets

Betting on the Derby can be as simple or as complex as you wish. Common bet types include:

  • Win: The horse must finish first
  • Place: The horse finishes first or second
  • Show: The horse finishes in the top three
  • Exacta: Pick the top two horses in exact order
  • Trifecta: Top three in exact order
  • Superfecta: Top four in exact order

Beginners often stick with Win, Place, or Show, while experienced bettors use boxed bets to increase their chances. A Trifecta Box allows your selected three horses to finish in any order within the top three.

Step 7: Place Your Bet

Navigate to the betting page on USRacing.com, choose your wager type, enter your stake, and submit your bet. The system will send you a confirmation of your accepted wager.Bet Now

Step 8: Watch the Derby Live and Collect

USRacing.com streams the full Derby Day card live, from the first undercard race to the moment the winner crosses the wire. Results update instantly and winnings post to your account immediately. Withdrawals process within 24 to 48 hours.


Understanding Kentucky Derby Odds and Payouts

The Kentucky Derby uses the pari-mutuel betting system. All wagers go into a shared pool, the track deducts a small percentage, and the rest is divided among winning tickets. Odds are not fixed. They shift constantly based on where the money is going right up until the gates open.

Here is how Kentucky Derby odds affect your payout:

Odds $2 Win Bet Returns Profit
2-1 $6.00 $4.00
5-1 $12.00 $10.00
10-1 $22.00 $20.00
20-1 $42.00 $40.00
50-1 $102.00 $100.00

Morning-line odds are set by Churchill Downs' official handicapper and serve as a starting point. By post time they will have shifted based on betting volume. Watch the live tote board in the final hour before the race for the most accurate picture. For a deeper breakdown visit the Kentucky Derby betting page.


Kentucky Derby 2026 Exotic Bets

The Kentucky Derby is one of the most exotic-friendly races in the world. A 20-horse field means massive pools and massive potential payouts. Here is what you need to know:

  • Exacta: Pick the top two finishers in exact order. A $2 exacta combining a 10-1 and 20-1 horse can return $200 or more.
  • Trifecta: Pick the top three in exact order. Box three horses for $12 and cover all six possible finishing combinations.
  • Superfecta: Pick the top four in exact order. A $0.10 Superfecta box on four horses costs just $2.40 and gives you 24 combinations. The Kentucky Derby Superfecta regularly pays five figures.

Box your picks and let the race sort them out. One longshot in the right position is all it takes.


Strategies to Bet on the Kentucky Derby 2026

For better results when you bet on the Kentucky Derby, consider these tips:

  • Do not bet only on favorites. The Derby favorite wins only about a third of the time. Fields are large, chaotic, and unpredictable by design.
  • Include longshots in your exotics. One 20-1 or 30-1 horse landing in the top four can turn a $2.40 Superfecta box into a life-changing payout.
  • Follow the prep races. Horses coming out of the Arkansas Derby, Florida Derby, and Blue Grass Stakes carry the most reliable form into Churchill Downs.
  • Box your exotic bets. A boxed Trifecta on three horses costs $12 and pays regardless of the finishing order among your three picks.
  • Watch jockey and trainer trends. Certain jockeys and trainers have Churchill Downs records that consistently outperform their morning-line odds on Derby Day.
  • Check Louisville weather on race morning. A wet or muddy track completely reshapes the race. Mudders jump dramatically in value the moment rain hits the forecast.
  • Watch the tote board. Late money on a horse signals confidence. A horse drifting from 15-1 down to 8-1 in the final hour is worth a second look.

Stay tuned to USRacing.com news and expert picks as May 2 approaches. Key factors like a late scratch, a pace mismatch, or an unexpected post position can shift the entire race on draw day.


Kentucky Derby 2026 Contenders

The 2026 Kentucky Derby field is set through the Road to the Kentucky Derby points series. The top 20 point-earners earn a gate spot. The official post position draw takes place on Saturday, April 25, 2026. Track every contender and every update on the Kentucky Derby contenders page.

Current top Kentucky Derby 2026 contenders:

2025-26 Road to the Kentucky Derby
Rank Horse Pts Trainer Earnings *
1 Commandment 150 Brad Cox $943,020
2 Further Ado 135 Brad Cox $1,068,095
3 Renegade 125 Todd Pletcher $1,002,500
4 So Happy 115 Mark Glatt $444,000
5 Fulleffort 110 Brad Cox $507,900
6 The Puma 106 Gustavo Delgado $428,000
7 Silent Tactic 100 Mark Casse $1,020,130
8 Emerging Market 100 Chad Brown $600,000
9 Albus 100 Riley Mott $400,000
10 Potente 100 Bob Baffert $220,000
11 Pavlovian 70 Doug O'Neill $527,000
12 Right to Party $ 65 Kenny McPeek $176,000
13 Incredibolt 60 Riley Mott $424,570
14 Golden Tempo 60 Cherie DeVaux $300,000
15 Ottinho 56 Chad Brown $267,750
16 Class President 50 Todd Pletcher $569,700
17 Stark Contrast 50 Michael McCarthy $439,900
18 Danon Bourbon (JPN) Japan RTKD Manabu Ikezoe $222,762
19 Wonder Dean (JPN) Intl. RTKD Daisuke Takayanagi $725,172
20 Six Speed (UAE) Intl. RTKD Bhupat Seemar $314,366
21 Iron Honor 50 Chad Brown $182,500
22 Chief Wallabee 50 Bill Mott $175,800
23 Chip Honcho 49 Steve Asmussen $190,000
24 Intrepido 38 Jeff Mullins $290,000
25 Universe 38 Kenny McPeek $244,650
26 Grittiness 36 Todd Pletcher $150,000
27 Nearly 35 Todd Pletcher $220,450
28 Bravaro 35 Saffie Joseph Jr. $118,700
29 Litmus Test 34 Bob Baffert $429,688
30 Talkin 30 Danny Gargan $233,625
31 Great White 30 John Ennis $144,003
32 Napoleon Solo 25 Chad Summers $316,520
33 Ocelli 25 Whit Beckman $80,200
Vitruvian Man + 25 Doug O'Neill $60,000
35 Confessional 15 Brad Cox $55,000
* Non-restricted earnings  |  + Not nominated to the Triple Crown  |  $ Paid $6,000 late-nomination fee

Last Updated on 04/17/2026


Kentucky Derby 2026 Prop Bets

Beyond the standard win, place, and show pools, USRacing.com gives you access to more Kentucky Derby wager types than any other platform:

  • Winning trainer — Todd Pletcher, Bob Baffert, Brad Cox, and more
  • Winning jockey — Irad Ortiz Jr., John Velazquez, Luis Saez
  • Margin of victory — by a nose, by a length, by 5 or more
  • Winning time vs Secretariat's record
  • Triple Crown contention — will the winner attempt the Triple Crown

These prop markets open well before race day and offer excellent value for bettors who do their homework on the field.


Frequently Asked Questions

When is the Kentucky Derby 2026?

The 2026 Kentucky Derby runs on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Post time is approximately 6:57 PM ET. It is the 152nd running of the race and carries a $5 million purse with $3.1 million going to the winner.

Where can I bet on the Kentucky Derby 2026 online?

You can bet on the Kentucky Derby 2026 right now at USRacing.com. Sign up takes under 3 minutes. New members get a $1,000 Sign Up Cash Bonus plus a 10% horse betting rebate paid daily on selected wagers. Live odds, full race streaming, and the complete Derby card are all available in one place.

What is the Kentucky Derby 2026 purse?

The 2026 Kentucky Derby purse is $5 million, with $3.1 million guaranteed to the winner. It is the richest race in American horse racing and the first leg of the Triple Crown.

What channel is the Kentucky Derby 2026 on?

The Kentucky Derby 2026 airs live on NBC and streams on Peacock. USRacing.com also streams the full Derby Day card live so you can watch every race and place your bets in one place.

When is the Kentucky Derby 2026 post position draw?

The official post position draw takes place on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at Churchill Downs Opening Day. Post positions and morning-line odds are announced that day. Check theKentucky Derby contenders page for the full field once positions are released.

May 2, 2026 is almost here. The field is set, the odds are live, and the best betting positions go to those who get in early. Sign up today at USRacing.com, claim your $1,000 Sign Up Cash Bonus, earn a 10% horse betting rebate paid daily on selected wagers, and watch the 152nd Kentucky Derby live. This is the Run for the Roses. Do not watch it from the sidelines. Bet Now

Where can I bet on the Kentucky Derby?

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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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2026 Kentucky Derby betting at Churchill Downs
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Kentucky Derby trainer prop bets

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And Other Exclusive Kentucky Derby Props

Anybody can place a bet who will win the Kentucky Derby, but what about placing a bet on what Trainer will win the Derby? How about Bob Baffert or Todd Pletcher?
Additional prop bets are available like the margin of victory, the winning time vs Secretariat, a Triple Crown contention and more. Kentucky Derby Odds are live, bet now!
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