Need help making 2026 Kentucky Derby predictions? Our horse racing experts have sifted through the entire "Run for the Roses" field and are here for you, delivering their Kentucky Derby best bets for Saturday, May 2.
This page will be updated frequently during the run-up to "The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports," so check back regularly for our analysis of the Kentucky Derby odds!
2026 Kentucky Derby predictions
| Kentucky Derby best bets | Cost |
|---|---|
| $10 win No. 7 Danon Bourbon (+2000) | $10 |
|
$2 exacta box: 6/7/12 |
$12 |
| $10 win No. 6 Commandment (+600) | $10 |
| $10 place No. 19 Golden Tempo (+3000) | $10 |
| $10 show No. 10 Wonder Dean (+3000) | $10 |
|
$2 trifecta box: 6/7/12 |
$12 |
|
$1 superfecta: |
$40 |
|
$2 exacta: 6/7,12,15,18 |
$8 |
Odds courtesy of FanDuel, one of our best Kentucky Derby betting sites.
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2026 Kentucky Derby best bets and expert analysis
No. 7 Danon Bourbon to win (+2000 at FanDuel)
Danon Bourbon gives Japan a great chance to score its elusive first Kentucky Derby victory.
The speedy son of Maxfield is a perfect 3-for-3 lifetime, highlighted by a convincing win in the Fukuryu Stakes.
Danon Bourbon posted the fastest winning time in that race in over 20 years.
Pick made by Robert Criscola on 4-27.
Exacta box: No. 6 Commandment, No. 7 Danon Bourbon, No. 12 Chief Wallabee
Danon Bourbon is my top win pick, and I think the strongest U.S. preps for the Kentucky Derby happened in Florida this year.
Commandment took both the Florida Derby and Fountain of Youth as part of his four-race winning streak.
Chief Wallabee wasn't beaten by much in the Fountain of Youth before running third in the Florida Derby.
Check out Robert Criscola's Kentucky Derby exacta, trifecta, and superfecta picks!
No. 6 Commandment to win (+600 at FanDuel)
Where do we start? With the four-race winning streak this Into Mischief progeny brings into the starting gate, a streak that began with a maiden score at Churchill Downs last fall and sits on a gutsy stretch victory by a nose over The Puma in the Florida Derby? With that gutsy, stalking running style that plays very well in Derbies?
Stalkers typically do very well in Derbies, especially when they have the speed and ability to overcome bad trips Commandment has shown during his winning streak. "Thou shalt bet this horse" is a good Commandment to follow.
Check out Brian Robin's Kentucky Derby cheat sheet for more!
No. 19 Golden Tempo to place
I’ve been beating the drum and singing his praises since the draw came out. And now I get Golden Tempo at 30-1? Sign me up.
This deep closer possesses the perfect profile of a down-ticket Derby board hitter, and his outside post should make it ideal for him to track down tired runners in the stretch.
Check out Brian Robin's Kentucky Derby long shots!
No. 10 Wonder Dean to show
This Japanese invader punched his Derby ticket by winning the UAE Derby via a furious stretch drive that overtook leader Six Speed.
Wonder Dean can make some noise here down-ticket. He lacks the speed of the flagship Japanese Derby horse — Forever Young (who finished third in 2024) — but the foundation is there for a bottom-of-the-superfecta finish.
Pick made by Brian Robin on 4-30.
Trifecta box: No. 6 Commandment, No. 7 Danon Bourbon, No. 12 Chief Wallabee
It's only logical to take my three-horse exacta box and apply it to the trifecta. Boxing three horses in a trifecta costs $12 for every $2 staked.
Pick made by Robert Criscola on 5-1.
Superfecta: No. 6 Commandment over No. 7 Danon Bourbon, No. 12 Chief Wallabee over No. 7 Danon Bourbon, No. 8 So Happy, No. 12 Chief Wallabee, No. 14 Potente, No. 15 Emerging Market, No. 18 Further Ado over No. 7 Danon Bourbon, No. 8 So Happy, No. 12 Chief Wallabee, No. 14 Potente, No. 15 Emerging Market, No. 18 Further Ado
Once again, to keep ticket costs reasonable, this play starts with Commandment — the top horse from the top Derby prep — winning. Danon Bourbon and Chief Wallabee will make up the next two spots.
For the fourth leg, we'll spread a little more and add in some wild cards, along with Emerging Market and Further Ado once again, bringing the total cost to $40 for $1.
Pick made by Robert Criscola on 5-1.
Exacta: No. 6 Commandment over No. 7 Danon Bourbon, No. 12 Chief Wallabee, No. 15 Emerging Market, No. 18 Further Ado
I'd rather chase a bigger payout on Commandment in the exacta pool than go after his win odds. I think I've got my bases covered with these four horses underneath.
Pick made by Robert Criscola on 5-2.
Kentucky Derby betting resources
- Kentucky Derby win, place, and show picks
- Kentucky Derby exacta, trifecta, and superfecta picks
- Kentucky Derby odds
- Kentucky Derby horses
- Kentucky Derby post positions
- How to bet on the Kentucky Derby
- Where to bet on the Kentucky Derby
- Best Kentucky Derby betting sites
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
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