2026 Kentucky Derby
May 2nd, 2026 at 11:22:01 AM
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Coverage of the 2026 Kentucky Derby begins at 2:30 p.m. ET on NBC. Peacock will stream early coverage beginning at noon ET.
The post time for the 2026 Kentucky Derby is 6:57 p.m. ET.
https://www.espn.com/horse-racing/story/_/id/48638070/2026-kentucky-derby-date-horses-odds-format-purse
To earn a spot in the starting gate of the Kentucky Derby, a 3-year-old horse must compete in a series of designated races from September through mid-April. Points are awarded to the top five finishers in each race. The 20 horses with the most points, or the horses who win their international series, earn a spot in the starting gate in Louisville on the first Saturday in May.
What three races make up horse racing's Triple Crown?
The Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes are the three races needed to accomplish the Triple Crown.
What is the purse for the 2026 Kentucky Derby?
For the third straight year, the Kentucky Derby purse will be $5 million. The winner will receive $3.1 million, while the runner-up gets $1 million.
What are the post positions for the 2026 Kentucky Derby? (Scratched horses not denoted)
Kentucky Derby down to 19 horses after The Puma scratched
Churchill Downs officials announced The Puma was out because of a swollen leg from a skin infection. He was ruled out less than 12 hours before the 6:57 p.m. ET post time, past the deadline for Corona de Oro to draw into the field off the also-eligible list.
The Puma is the fourth scratch from the field this week, with one coming each of the past four days. Silent Tactic was ruled out Wednesday, Fulleffort on Thursday and Right to Party on Friday, with Great White, Ocelli and Robusta getting in.
Renegade remains the favorite after opening as such on the morning line a week ago. The Todd Pletcher-trained colt would be the first to win the Derby out of the inside No. 1 post position in four decades.
Post 1: Renegade (4-1)
Post 2: Albus (30-1)
Post 3: Intrepido (50-1)
Post 4: Litmus Test (50-1)
Post 6: Commandment (6-1)
Post 7: Danon Bourbon (20-1)
Post 8: So Happy (15-1)
Post 10: Wonder Dean (30-1)
Post 11: Incredibolt (20-1)
Post 12: Chief Wallabee (8-1)
Post 14: Potente (20-1)
Post 15: Emerging Market (15-1)
Post 16: Pavlovian (30-1)
Post 17: Six Speed (50-1)
Post 18: Further Ado (6-1)
Post 19: Golden Tempo (30-1)
Post 21: Great White (50-1)
Post 22: Ocelli (50-1)
Post 23: Robusta (50-1)
The post time for the 2026 Kentucky Derby is 6:57 p.m. ET.
https://www.espn.com/horse-racing/story/_/id/48638070/2026-kentucky-derby-date-horses-odds-format-purse
To earn a spot in the starting gate of the Kentucky Derby, a 3-year-old horse must compete in a series of designated races from September through mid-April. Points are awarded to the top five finishers in each race. The 20 horses with the most points, or the horses who win their international series, earn a spot in the starting gate in Louisville on the first Saturday in May.
What three races make up horse racing's Triple Crown?
The Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes are the three races needed to accomplish the Triple Crown.
What is the purse for the 2026 Kentucky Derby?
For the third straight year, the Kentucky Derby purse will be $5 million. The winner will receive $3.1 million, while the runner-up gets $1 million.
What are the post positions for the 2026 Kentucky Derby? (Scratched horses not denoted)
Kentucky Derby down to 19 horses after The Puma scratched
Churchill Downs officials announced The Puma was out because of a swollen leg from a skin infection. He was ruled out less than 12 hours before the 6:57 p.m. ET post time, past the deadline for Corona de Oro to draw into the field off the also-eligible list.
The Puma is the fourth scratch from the field this week, with one coming each of the past four days. Silent Tactic was ruled out Wednesday, Fulleffort on Thursday and Right to Party on Friday, with Great White, Ocelli and Robusta getting in.
Renegade remains the favorite after opening as such on the morning line a week ago. The Todd Pletcher-trained colt would be the first to win the Derby out of the inside No. 1 post position in four decades.
Post 1: Renegade (4-1)
Post 2: Albus (30-1)
Post 3: Intrepido (50-1)
Post 4: Litmus Test (50-1)
Post 6: Commandment (6-1)
Post 7: Danon Bourbon (20-1)
Post 8: So Happy (15-1)
Post 10: Wonder Dean (30-1)
Post 11: Incredibolt (20-1)
Post 12: Chief Wallabee (8-1)
Post 14: Potente (20-1)
Post 15: Emerging Market (15-1)
Post 16: Pavlovian (30-1)
Post 17: Six Speed (50-1)
Post 18: Further Ado (6-1)
Post 19: Golden Tempo (30-1)
Post 21: Great White (50-1)
Post 22: Ocelli (50-1)
Post 23: Robusta (50-1)
May 2nd, 2026 at 1:04:34 PM
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I have $5 across the board on Golden Tempo, based on nothing.
The older I get, the better I recall things that never happened
May 2nd, 2026 at 3:13:51 PM
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I will be watching with great interest as I like horses and horse racing.I don't bet-I'd be bankrupt in days. But, I like to look at and research the genealogy and breeding ancestry of the race horses and such. Doing so adds further evidence to my hypothesis that there is too much inbreeding in race horses.
Looking forward to an exciting race with a photo finish!
Looking forward to an exciting race with a photo finish!
May 2nd, 2026 at 3:23:11 PM
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Chief Wallabee for the win. I know nothing about horse racing.
"Truth is ever to be found in the simplicity, and not in the multiplicity and confusion of things."
-- Isaac Newton
May 2nd, 2026 at 4:05:10 PM
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Great White just bucked off his jockey and fell loading into the gate. Horse scratched! Jockey just lost a ride.
May 2nd, 2026 at 4:10:33 PM
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First female trainer to win!
May 2nd, 2026 at 4:14:28 PM
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May 2nd, 2026 at 4:30:01 PM
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The Yankees have a highly rated prospect who made his first big league start this week. It was mentioned that his two cousins were competing as riders in the Derby. I went with the brother who had more experience and better odds.
I had no idea he was the second coming of Forego. Based on this race, I won't bet on him in the Preakness, which is a shorter race.
I had no idea he was the second coming of Forego. Based on this race, I won't bet on him in the Preakness, which is a shorter race.
The older I get, the better I recall things that never happened
May 2nd, 2026 at 6:20:57 PM
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Quote: billryanI have $5 across the board on Golden Tempo, based on nothing.
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Nice hit!
