The 2026 Kentucky Derby is set to take place at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, as the opening leg of the Triple Crown. The race, which traditionally precedes the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes, saw its field reduced to 19 horses after four scratches, according to CBS News. Renegade, ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr., was named the morning-line favorite at 4-1 odds by oddsmaker Nick Tammaro.

Horses and Odds for the 2026 Kentucky Derby

The final field of 19 horses was determined after several last-minute scratches. These include No. 20 Fulleffort, No. 5 Right to Party, No. 13 Silent Tactic, and No. 9 The Puma. Three additional horses were able to slot into the race due to the early withdrawals. Renegade, with 4-1 odds, is the top betting choice, followed by Commandment and Further Ado at 6-1 odds each. Five horses are listed at 50-1 odds, according to CBS News.

Here is the current list of horses in the 2026 Kentucky Derby by post position and their morning-line odds: Renegade (1, 4-1), Albus (2, 30-1), Intrepido (3, 50-1), Litmus Test (4, 30-1), Commandment (6, 6-1), Danon Bourbon (7, 20-1), So Happy (8, 15-1), Wonder Dean (10, 30-1), Incredibolt (11, 20-1), Chief Wallabee (12, 8-1), Potente (14, 20-1), Emerging Market (15, 15-1), Pavlovian (16, 30-1), Six Speed (17, 50-1), Further Ado (18, 6-1), Golden Tempo (19, 30-1), Great White (21, 50-1), Ocelli (22, 50-1), and Robusta (23, 50-1).

Jockeys and International Representation

Jockeys from around the world will be competing in the 2026 Kentucky Derby. Two of the riders are from Japan—Atsuya Nishimura and Ryusei Sakai—while seven call Puerto Rico home. Others are based in the United States, according to sportingnews.com. Irad Ortiz Jr., who will ride Renegade from post position 1, has nine prior Kentucky Derby appearances but is yet to finish on the podium. His best result was a fourth-place finish in 2019 on Improbable. Renegade has won two prep races this spring with Ortiz in the saddle.

Manny Franco, who rode the 2020 post-time favorite Tiz the Law to a runner-up finish, will ride Albus, a 30-1 underdog. Franco is still seeking his first Kentucky Derby win but has the experience of having ridden a top contender to date.

The Betting Terrain and Race Details

Odds for the 2026 Kentucky Derby will continue to shift as bettors place their wagers ahead of the race on Saturday. The race is scheduled to be the 12th event of the day at Churchill Downs, with an approximate post time of 6:57 p.m. ET, according to CBS News. While Renegade is currently the favorite, the betting public’s preferences will likely influence the final odds.

As fans and bettors prepare for the Run for the Roses, the combination of experienced jockeys, international representation, and the ever-changing odds make for an exciting and unpredictable race. With 19 horses running and a mix of favorites and longshots, the 2026 Kentucky Derby promises to be a thrilling event for both newcomers and seasoned horse racing enthusiasts.