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Renegade Becomes 4-1 Kentucky Derby Favorite.

4/26/2026

Summary

Renegade Secures Derby Favorite

Renegade draws the No. 1 post as 4-1 favorite for Kentucky Derby on May 2, 2026, with trainer Todd Pletcher, jockey Irad Ortiz Jr., and Repole Stable as owner.
The 20-horse field includes Commandment and Further Ado at 6-1 odds and Bob Baffert’s Potente and Litmus Test, who aim for a win.
Four 50-1 horses can run if a top-20 scratches before 9 a.m. EDT on May 1, while the race posts at 6:57 p.m. ET on NBC.

Summary

Six Speed Leads

Six Speed from post 17 is slated to set early fractions and may become the pace-setter.
Pavlovian (post 16) and Potente (post 14) are expected to contest the early lead.
Rookie Hector Berrios on Intrepido (post 3) will need a front-runner to stay safe.
Trainer Brad Cox said Further Ado can use inside speed from its outside draw, while Commandment (post 6) could break sharply to save ground.

Summary

Into Mischief Joins

Into Mischief joins Bull Lea, Falsetto, Sir Gallahad III and Virgil as a Derby sire after Sovereignty’s 2025 win.
Riley Mott debuts with Albus and Incredibolt.
Japan fields Danon Bourbon (post 7) and Wonder Dean (post 10).
Filly Zany, the favorite, drew post 2 for Saturday, joining 14 fillies from West, Midwest and East plus three also-eligibles.
Ron Turcotte and Lucien Laurin were trainer-jockey duo to win Derbies with Riva Ridge (1972) and Secretariat (1973).

History

Historical Context

The 1973 Kentucky Derby, the 99th running, drew a record 134,476 fans as Secretariat, trained by Lucien Laurin and ridden by Ron Turcotte, won decisively in a sub-two-minute 1:59, beginning the first Triple Crown since 1948. Today’s field—featuring Hall-of-Fame trainers Todd Pletcher, Bob Baffert and Japan’s Danon Bourbon—echoes that era’s blend of elite trainers and global competition.

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Renegade Secures Derby Favorite

Renegade draws the No. 1 post as 4-1 favorite for Kentucky Derby on May 2, 2026, with trainer Todd Pletcher, jockey Irad Ortiz Jr., and Repole Stable as owner.
The 20-horse field includes Commandment and Further Ado at 6-1 odds and Bob Baffert’s Potente and Litmus Test, who aim for a win.
Four 50-1 horses can run if a top-20 scratches before 9 a.m. EDT on May 1, while the race posts at 6:57 p.m. ET on NBC.

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