The 152nd Kentucky Derby will be run on Saturday, May 2, and a full field of 20 is once again anticipated at Churchill Downs.
The Kentucky Derby post positions will be assigned the Saturday before the big race, and the Kentucky Derby odds will take their final form then.
Here is Robert Criscola's early look at the 2026 Kentucky Derby horses.
🐴 2026 Kentucky Derby horses
A maximum of 24 horses can be entered for the first jewel of the 2025 Triple Crown for three-year-old thoroughbreds, but only 20 horses can participate. Check out our early Kentucky Derby 2026 horse profiles below:
Who is running in the 2026 Kentucky Derby?
Renegade: Renegade went 0-for-3 as a two-year-old, but he broke through in his first start at age three with a win in the Sam F. Davis Stakes. He followed that up with a sharp score in the Arkansas Derby. The sire is Into Mischief, not a respected distance influence, but that didn't seem to bother 2025 Kentucky Derby champ Sovereignty.
- Trainer: Todd Pletcher
- Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.
- Earnings: $1,031,500
Commandment: Trainer Brad Cox is looking to bring a strong one-two punch to the Kentucky Derby with Commandment and Further Ado. Commandment is a winner of four straight races, including the Florida Derby.
- Trainer: Brad Cox
- Jockey: Luis Saez
- Earnings: $1,017,339
Further Ado: Further Ado turned heads as a two-year-old, breaking his maiden by 20 lengths at Keeneland before taking the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes at Churchill Downs. His sophomore debut was a setback, as he ran second in the Tampa Bay Derby, but he shook it off as he aced the Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland by 11 lengths when last seen.
- Trainer: Brad Cox
- Jockey: John Velazquez
- Earnings: $1,146,328
Danon Bourbon: Danon Bourbon posted the fastest winning time in his final Derby prep, the Fukuryu Stakes, in over 20 years, so he looks like Japan's best chance to score its elusive first Kentucky Derby victory. The speedy son of Maxfield is unbeaten in all three starts to date.
- Trainer: Manabu Ikezoe
- Jockey: Atsuya Nishimura
- Earnings: $222,762
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✅ How horses qualify for the Kentucky Derby
A series of qualifying races for eligible three-year-old horses, also known as the Road to the Kentucky Derby, begins in September and runs until early April. These races are mostly held in the United States. However, there are qualifying races in Japan, the UAE, and the UK that allow for automatic bids.
These races are part of a points system that will decide the starting field for the Kentucky Derby, with some races worth more points than others. Horses are awarded points based on their performances in these qualifying events. The Top 17 horses in the overall points standings are awarded starting spots in the Kentucky Derby, with three auto-bids rounding out the Top 20.
🎓 Betting education and resources
🏇 Types of Kentucky Derby horses
The Kentucky Derby isn’t open to just any horse. The “Run for the Roses” is limited to thoroughbred colts and fillies racing as three-year-olds.
Thoroughbred
Thoroughbred horses are predominantly used for racing, as they have a taller and slimmer build and are more athletic than standardbred horses, which are muscular and used in harness racing. Thoroughbred horses are able to sustain speeds over longer distances, with the Kentucky Derby raced at a 1 1/4 miles.
Age of horses
Three-year-old horses can be considered teenagers in terms of growth, nearly fully developed but not quite at the maturity or muscle build of the four-year-old horse. Limiting the field to three-year-old horses allows for only a handful of prep races and adds an aura of mystery to the Kentucky Derby field, serving as a coming-out party for the next generation of elite race horses.
How to pick a Kentucky Derby winner
The Kentucky Derby is famously unpredictable — but smart bettors look beyond the hype. Here are five key factors to help you separate the true contenders from the also-rans:
1. Past performance in prep races
Look at how each horse fared in major prep races like the Florida Derby, Blue Grass Stakes, and Santa Anita Derby. Horses who finish strongly in these high-stakes races often carry that momentum into Churchill Downs.
🔎 Tip: A top-3 finish in a major prep race is often a strong indicator of Derby readiness.
2. Running style and pace
The Derby field is large, which makes traffic and race pace critical. Horses with tactical speed (who can stay close to the lead but avoid an early burnout) often fare best.
📉 Avoid deep closers who need a perfect setup to win — traffic jams and fast fractions don’t always cooperate.
3. Trainer and jockey experience
Proven connections matter. Trainers like Todd Pletcher and Brad Cox have consistently produced Derby contenders, while jockeys with Churchill Downs experience know how to navigate the chaos.
🧠 Seasoned Derby connections are less likely to panic if things don’t go perfectly out of the gate.
4. Post position draw
While a talented horse can overcome a bad draw, certain gates historically offer better chances. Middle posts (like 5–10) tend to offer the best combination of clean trips and strategic options.
📌 Avoid extreme inside or far outside posts unless the horse has shown adaptability in large fields.
5. Distance pedigree
The Derby is 1 1/4 miles — longer than all the prior prep races. Horses bred for stamina are more likely to stay strong in the final furlongs.
🧬 A sprinter pedigree might shine early, but fade down the stretch.
Kentucky Derby Horses FAQs
The Kentucky Derby is capped at 24 entrants, but only 20 horses can run. Scratches close to race day sometimes allow for fewer than 20 starters.
There is only one official Kentucky Derby race held on the first weekend in May, however, there are 36 prep races leading up to the 2021 Kentucky Derby.
Horses qualify for the Kentucky Derby by racing in the designated qualifying races and recording enough points to rank among the Top 18 (if top points horses from Japan and UK opt in).
A thoroughbred is a particular breed of horse with a tall and slim build known for its athleticism.
