Kentucky Derby 2026: Date, Time, Post-Positions, Horses, Odds, How to watch, Tickets

When is 152nd Kentucky Derby? Everything to know of 2026 Run for the Roses race, schedule, time, horses odds, weather info.





The First race for the Triple Crown officially gets underway is quickly approaching,  One of the most popular Kentucky Derby prep races is the Florida Derby. Commandment, a Brad Cox-trained colt, won this year's Florida Derby, putting him in pristine position to compete in the 2026 Kentucky Derby field. 


The 152nd "Run for the Roses" serves as the first leg of the Triple Crown and will take place on Saturday, May 2. The Triple Crown schedule resumed to some normalcy in 2026 as the Kentucky Derby served as the opening leg of the Triple Crown as it traditionally does.


Below is all the information Sportshistori.com brings here that you need to know about the 2026 Kentucky Derby.




When is the 2026 Kentucky Derby, Date race?


The 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby will be held on Saturday, May 2, 2026..


What is the official Kentucky Derby post time? When does it start?



Start Time for 2026 race has been revealed. Official, post time is 6:57 p.m ET. National television coverage ran from 2:30-7:30 p.m.

 The first race at Churchill Downs will start at 10:30 a.m. ET on Saturday.


 3:57 p.m. PT.
 4:57 p.m. MT.
 5:57 p.m. CT.
 6:57 p.m. ET.


Where is the Kentucky Derby held?


The Kentucky Derby takes place at Churchill Downs, located at 700 Central Ave., in Louisville, Kentucky, as it traditionally does.


How long is the Kentucky Derby, Distance?


Since 1896, The Kentucky Derby will be run at its usual 1.25 (1 1/4) miles around the track at Churchill Downs.


When is Kentucky Oaks 2026?


Kentucky Oaks, the race involving 3-year-old fillies, takes place on Friday, May 1, 2026.


How can I watch Kentucky Derby, what Channel is the at Churchill Downs race On.


Last May 2024,  NBC Sports announced a partnership with Churchill Downs to present the Kentucky Derby on NBC and Peacock through 2032.

 The 2026 Kentucky Derby will be broadcast by NBC beginning at Noon ET with coverage anchored by host Mike Tirico for the seventh time.


Date: Saturday, May 2

Post time: 6:57 p.m. ET

Location: Churchill Downs

TV Channel: NBC


How can I live stream the Kentucky Derby?



The 2026 Kentucky Derby can be live streamed on Peacock, the NBC Sports website and the NBC Sports app.

Live Stream:  Peacock, fuboTV (Try for free), NBCSports.com, NBCSports APP


Kentucky Derby 2026 Weekend TV schedule of events, how to watch



Opening Day: Saturday, April 25: Kick off Derby Week during a Great Gatsby-inspired evening - Fanduel TV

Sunday Funday: Sunday, 26th April, live coverage on Fanduel TV  

Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks contenders warm up: Monday, April 27.

502's Day is all about celebrating community, Tuesday, April 28.

WinsDay at the Races: this event puts local non-profit organizations under the spotlight, Wednesday, April 29; live coverage on Fanduel TV.

Thurby Day: Dive into Kentucky's past while enjoying bourbon and horse racing, as well as other parts of the state's culture, on Thursday, April 30.

America's Day at the Races: Thursday, 30th April; .

152nd Kentucky Oaks: Friday, May 1; USA Network, Peacock.

America's Day at the Races: Friday, May 1, FS2.

Live coverage of horse racing: Friday, May 1; FanDuel TV, Racetrack Television 
Network.

152nd Kentucky Derby: Saturday, May ; NBC, Peacock; En Español: Universo.


2026 Kentucky Derby field, post positions, full lineups .


The field is still being determined and Sportshistori.com offers a list of horses projected to make the starting lineup for the 2026 Kentucky Derby. Here's a look:


Here's where each horse landed, in addition to the horse's trainer, jockey and odds:


2026 Kentucky Derby post positions, horse, trainer, jockey, odds


1. Renegade, Todd Pletcher, Irad Ortiz Jr.,

2. Albus, Riley Mott, Manny Franco, 

3. Intrepido, Jeff Mullins, Hector Berrios, 

4. Litmus Test, Bob Baffert, Martin Garcia,

5. Right to Party, Kenny McPeek, Chris Elliott, -SCRATCH

6. Commandment, Brad Cox, Luis Saez,  

7. Danon Bourbon, Manabu Ikezoe, Atsuya Nishimura, 

8. So Happy, Mark Glatt, Mike Smith, 

9. The Puma, Gustavo Delgado, Javier Castellano - SCRATCHED

10. Wonder Dean, Daisuke Takayanagi, Ryusei Sakai, 

11. Incredibolt, Riley Mott, Jaime Torres,  

12. Chief Wallabee, Bill Mott, Junior Alvarado,  

13. Silent Tactic, Mark Casse, Cristian Torres,- SCRATCHED

14. Potente, Bob Baffert, Juan Hernandez,  

15. Emerging Market, Chad Brown, Flavien Prat,  

16. Pavlovian, Doug O’Neill, Edwin Maldonado,  

17. Six Speed, Bhupat Seemar, Brian Hernandez Jr.,  

18. Further Ado, Brad Cox, John Velazquez,  

19. Golden Tempo, Cherie DeVaux, Jose Ortiz, 

20. Fulleffort, Brad Cox, Tyler Gaffalione, SCRATCHED 

21. Great White, John Ennis, Alex Achard,  

22. Ocelli, Whit Beckman, Joe Ramos,  

23. Robusta, Doug O’Neill, Emisael Jaramillo,  

24. Corona de Oro, Dallas Stewart, Brian Hernandez Jr., SCRATCHED


Who will win at Churchill Downs: 2026 Kentucky Derby betting odds, picks.



The 2026 field features several favorites that certainly have a chance to earn the victory.

Arkansas Derby winner Renegade was named the 4-1 morning-line favorite for the $5 million, Grade 1 Kentucky Derby during Saturday’s draw at Churchill Downs.

Further Ado and Commandment — both trained by Louisville’s Brad Cox — are the co-second choices at 6-1 odds in the morning line.

Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert will have two horses in the field — Potente and Litmus Test — as he chases a record seventh Kentucky Derby victory. Baffert currently is tied with Ben Jones with six wins.


Most Recent, Rich Strike surprised everyone last year by winning as a 80-1 longshot.



Horse --   Odds


2026 Kentucky Derby post positions, horse, trainer, jockey, odds


All Odds Correct as on 26th April after Draw.


1. Renegade,  4-1

2. Albus, 30-1

3. Intrepido, 50-1

4. Litmus Test,  30-1

5. Right to Party,  30-1 - SCRATCH

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- OUT

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 - OUT

21. Great White, John Ennis, Alex Achard, 50-1

22. Ocelli, Whit Beckman, Joe Ramos, 50-1

23. Robusta, Doug O’Neill, Emisael Jaramillo, 50-1

24. Corona de Oro, Dallas Stewart, Brian Hernandez Jr., 50-1

What is the total purse of the Kentucky Derby 2026?


This two-minute race is one of the most watched in the United States, with the total purse record ringing in at $5 million.


2026 Kentucky Derby prize money: how much winner takes home?



The Kentucky Derby winner will get $3.1 million, while the jockey will take home $200,000.

The runner-up will takes home $1 million, with the jockey taking home $50,000. For Third place, the finisher will be awarded $500,000, with the jockey earning around $25,000-30,000.


The rider earns $250,000 for being in fourth place, and the owner receives $. The jockey in fifth place wins $150,000 and the owner receives $.



How does the Kentucky Derby purse compare to other Triple Crown races?


The Kentucky Derby, which brings in a $5 million purse, is the highest purse of the Triple Crown races. The Belmont Stakes comes closely behind with a $1.5 million purse. The Preakness Stakes is the lowest of the three, with a $990,000 purse.


Kentucky Derby 2026: Weather forecast, chance of rain on race day, Noooo


Here is a look at the weather predictions for this Saturday:


2026 Kentucky Derby forecast

Service: The Weather Channel

Based on historical data for early May in Louisville, the 2026 Kentucky Derby (May 2, 2026) likely faces mild to warm conditions, with average highs around 70°F. However, attendees should prepare for potential rain, as 48% of Derby days have historically experienced rainfall. It is a rain-or-shine event with many uncovered seats. 

How much are the tickets to the Kentucky Derby 2025?


Many tickets for the 150th Kentucky Derby are already sold out, but here are some examples of prices for the 150th Run for the Roses:

To find Derby tickets, you can visit kentuckyderby.com/tickets.




Who won the Kentucky Derby 2025?


It was a win for Sovereignty over Journalism at the 151st Kentucky Derby.

The Bill Mott-trained horse, and ridden by Junior Alvarado won a rainy first leg of the Triple Crown with a time of 2:02.31 after closing at 7-1 odds, with race favorite Journalism placing and late entry Baeza showing.

What is the Kentucky Derby record?


Secretariat set the record at Churchill Downs in 1973 with a time of 1:59.4.


How does betting work in the Kentucky Derby?



There are three main bet types from which to choose – win, place and show.

Here's what each bet means:

WIN – If your horse finishes first, you win.
PLACE – If your horse finishes first or second, you win.
SHOW – If your horse finishes first, second, or third, you win.


Payouts depend on several factors, including the amount of money in the pool and the odds.

There also are more involved wagers with even higher payouts, like exacta — predicting who will finish first and second; trifecta — predicting who will finish first, second and third; and superfecta — predicting who will finish in the top four positions.


2026 Kentucky Derby menu for 152nd running

Several food items and drinks will be available at Churchill Downs specifically for the 2026 Kentucky Derby. Visit visit kentuckyderby.com/official-derby-menu for what to expect.


Kentucky Derby 2026 fashion: what to wear

Looking for the latest in Kentucky Derby fashion tips? Courier-Journal reporter Kirby Adams has everything you need to know about what to wear from fascinators to blazers in her fashion guide. Visit kentuckyderby.com/style-guide/ for the digital version.   


Who is the 2026 Kentucky Derby Festival Queen?

Studying at the Bellarmine University, Taniah Vgara Gagora is the Kentucky Derby Festival Queen leading up to the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, May 2.


Who is singing Kentucky Derby 2026 national anthem?

As of early April 2026, the performer for the 2026 Kentucky Derby national anthem has not been announced.






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